Senior Procurement Officer

JOB PURPOSE: To manage the procurement of raw materials required for manufacturing operations by ensuring timely sourcing, competitive pricing, quality compliance, and uninterrupted material availability. The role is responsible for executing procurement activities in accordance with company policies, GMP requirements, and approved procurement procedures while maintaining strong supplier relationships and optimizing procurement costs . KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES: Procurement Planning • Execute the procurement plan for raw materials based on production schedules, inventory levels, and material requirements planning (MRP). • Coordinate with Production Planning, Warehouse, Quality Assurance, and Finance to ensure material availability. • Monitor inventory levels and initiate purchase requests to prevent stock shortages or overstocking. • Ensure procurement activities align with the approved procurement budget. Supplier Management • Source raw materials from approved suppliers in accordance with the Approved Vendor List (AVL). • Obtain quotations and evaluate suppliers based on quality, price, delivery, and service. • Maintain effective relationships with local and international suppliers. • Participate in supplier qualification and performance evaluations. • Assist in identifying and developing alternative suppliers to mitigate supply risks. Purchasing Activities • Prepare and issue Purchase Orders (POs) in the ERP system. • Follow up with suppliers to ensure timely order confirmation and delivery. • Monitor shipment schedules and coordinate with Logistics and Customs Clearance teams. • Ensure procurement complies with company procurement policies and delegated authorities. • Verify supplier invoices and resolve discrepancies before payment processing. Cost Management • Negotiate prices, payment terms, and delivery schedules to achieve cost savings. • Analyze market trends and raw material price fluctuations. • Identify opportunities for cost reduction without compromising quality or supply continuity. • Support annual procurement budgeting and forecasting activities. Compliance & Quality • Ensure procurement activities comply with GMP, GDP (where applicable), company SOPs, and regulatory requirements. • Coordinate with Quality Assurance to ensure purchased materials meet approved specifications. • Ensure suppliers provide all required quality documentation (Certificates of Analysis, Technical Data Sheets, MSDS, etc.). • Support supplier audits and qualification activities. Documentation & Reporting • Maintain complete procurement records and supplier documentation. • Ensure all procurement transactions are accurately recorded in the ERP system. • Prepare procurement reports, including: • Purchase Order status • Supplier performance • Cost savings • Material availability • Lead time analysis • Procurement KPIs Risk Management • Identify supply chain risks and propose mitigation plans. • Monitor supplier performance and delivery reliability. • Escalate critical supply issues that may impact production. • Develop contingency sourcing strategies for critical raw materials. Continuous Improvement • Recommend improvements to procurement processes. • Participate in procurement digitalization and ERP enhancement initiatives. • Support implementation of procurement best practices and Lean initiatives. • Any other duties assigned by the direct supervisor. • Bachelor's Degree in one of the following: • Supply Chain Management • Procurement & Logistics • Business Administration • Industrial Engineering • Pharmacy • Chemistry • Operations Management • Or a related discipline • 5-9 years' experience in procurement, in pharmaceutical manufacturing • Experience in sourcing pharmaceutical raw materials is highly desirable. • Knowledge of international procurement and import procedures is an advantage Technical Competencies • Procurement Planning • Strategic Sourcing • Supplier Relationship Management • Contract Management • Negotiation Skills • ERP Systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Odoo, etc.) • Inventory Management • Material Requirement Planning (MRP) • Cost Analysis • Import & Customs Procedures • Pharmaceutical Raw Materials Knowledge • GMP & GDP Awareness • Microsoft Excel (Advanced) • Data Analysis & Reporting Leadership / Behavioural Competencies • Communication • Negotiation • Analytical Thinking • Problem Solving • Planning & Organizing • Attention to Detail • Accountability • Integrity • Teamwork • Customer Focus • Time Management • Adaptability