Head, Procurement at Sahara Group

Job Description

Role Accountabilities

1. Strategic Procurement & Category Management

  • Develop, implement, and continuously optimize category strategies across direct and indirect spend categories (including fleet, CAPEX, services, IT, energy, and operations).
  • Integrate AI and analytics for spend forecasting, risk profiling, and supplier segmentation.
  • Apply Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), value engineering, and cost control frameworks to procurement planning.
  • Incorporate ESG criteria and circular economy principles into category strategies and sourcing decisions.

2. Supplier Relationship & Global Sourcing

  • Drive supplier development programs to build robust local capacity and ensure alignment with international standards.
  • Manage international procurement transactions including cross-border logistics, Incoterms, trade finance, and import documentation.
  • Evaluate suppliers not just on cost, but on ESG scorecards, ethics compliance, sustainability credentials, and innovation partnerships.
  • Apply digital tools for supplier onboarding, due diligence (including tax and legal compliance), and risk-based performance evaluations.

3. Contract, Risk & Compliance Management

  • Negotiate, draft, and manage commercial agreements with embedded risk mitigation clauses (e.g., force majeure, IP rights, ESG compliance, tax clauses).
  • Ensure tax-efficient contracting in line with Nigeria’s VAT, WHT, Customs Duty and Transfer Pricing requirements.
  • Enforce procurement ethics and anti-bribery protocols in line with Sahara’s governance and international standards (e.g. UNGC, ISO 20400).
  • Leverage contract lifecycle management (CLM) software to monitor obligations, variations, and renewals.

4. Sustainable Procurement & ESG

  • Embed environmental and social sustainability goals into the supplier evaluation and selection process.
  • Develop and report on sustainability-linked procurement KPIs (e.g., CO₂ reduction per unit purchased, green procurement ratio).
  • Align procurement operations with SDGs and Sahara’s ESG strategy by fostering supplier circularity, waste reduction, and energy-efficient procurement choices.

5. Process Digitization & Procurement Transformation

  • Champion the automation of PR-PO-3Way Match workflows via ERP and e-Procurement platforms (e.g., SAP Ariba, Oracle, Coupa).
  • Develop predictive dashboards using Power BI, Python/R, or Tableau to inform procurement decisions and highlight cost saving opportunities.
  • Drive process maturity to align with ISO 9001, ISO 20400 (sustainable procurement), and CIPS Procurement Excellence models.

6. Cost Control, Value Engineering & Spend Analytics

  • Develop internal cost benchmarks and procurement indices for frequently purchased materials/services.
  • Collaborate with engineering and operations to apply value analysis and VE to procurement of capital items and projects.
  • Manage procurement budgets with zero-based costing techniques and scenario-based forecasting.

7. Team Leadership & Capability Building

  • Lead and mentor a high-performing procurement team equipped with future-ready skills in AI, ESG, analytics, and category expertise.
  • Implement professional development plans using CIPS and international certifications to elevate internal capacity.
  • Encourage cross-functional learning with legal, finance, tax, sustainability, engineering and operations functions.

8. Internal Stakeholder & Cross-Functional Collaboration

  • Partner with Legal, Finance, Sustainability, and Business Units to align procurement plans with enterprise objectives.
  • Provide strategic procurement advice and early involvement during project planning, budgeting, and contracting stages.
  • Support tax teams with data for transfer pricing, customs documentation, and intercompany procurement flows.

Required Knowledge and Skill

  • Deep understanding of sourcing strategy, supplier markets, and digital procurement tools.
  • Practical application of VE, TCO, and cost-modelling for direct and indirect procurement.
  • Working knowledge of Nigerian and global tax rules (WHT, VAT, Customs, TP, etc.)
  • Proficiency in Power BI, AI-powered sourcing platforms, and spend analytics tools.
  • Familiarity with ESG frameworks (SDGs, UNGC, ISO 20400, GRI) and supply chain compliance.
  • Proficient in ERP (SAP, Oracle, Dynamics) and eProcurement tools for automation.
  • Strong business judgement with ability to balance cost, quality, risk, and innovation.
  • Expertise in drafting and interpreting commercial contracts and risk assessments.
  • Ability to manage cross-functional teams and international supplier relationships.
  • Strong grounding in procurement ethics, anti-bribery frameworks, and code of conduct.

Minimum Qualification & Experience

  • Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business, Engineering, Economics, or related fields.
  • MCIPS, CIPS Advanced Diploma or equivalent international certification (e.g., ISM, APICS, PMP, CSCP).
  • At least 7–10 years progressive experience in procurement or supply chain management in a multinational or diversified conglomerate.
  • Solid track record in international sourcing, logistics (air, sea, road), ESG implementation, and ERP-driven procurement operations.

Personality & Leadership Traits

  • Commercially astute and digitally fluent.
  • Highly organised, agile, and resilient under pressure.
  • Strategic thinker with ethical mindset.
  • Proactive leader and collaborative communicator.
  • Inquisitive, forward-looking, and innovation-oriented.

Key Stakeholder Relationship

  • Engineering, Operations & Projects Teams
  • Sustainability & ESG Office
  • Finance, Legal, Tax and Audit Units
  • Group Strategy, Risk & Internal Control
  • International Suppliers & Regulatory Bodies

Method of Application: Click on this link to apply