Job Description

Our client, a rapidly growing food processing manufacturing company based in Iringa, is seeking to recruit an experienced and results-driven Head of Procurement to lead the setup and management of its procurement function. This is a senior role for a proactive professional who thrives in building systems from the ground up and has deep knowledge of procurement practices within a manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and implement a comprehensive procurement strategy aligned with production and business goals.
• Set up and lead the procurement department, including structure, staffing, systems and processes.
• Establish procurement policies, procedures, and controls to ensure efficiency, compliance and accountability.
• Source and manage reliable suppliers for raw materials, packaging, machinery and services both locally and internationally.
• Negotiate contracts and pricing terms to achieve cost savings while ensuring quality and delivery timelines.
• Collaborate with production, maintenance, finance and quality teams to forecast procurement needs and ensure timely supply.
• Implement and manage procurement systems or ERP tools to streamline operations and improve transparency.
• Monitor supplier performance and maintain robust vendor evaluation and risk management processes.
• Ensure full compliance with Tanzanian procurement regulations, TMDA and TBS standards and tax/import requirements.
• Manage procurement budgets, track expenses and implement cost optimization initiatives.
• Lead and mentor the procurement team, setting KPIs, performance standards and fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
• Provide regular reports and insights to senior management on procurement performance and supply market trends.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or a related field
• Recognized supply chain certifications are highly preferred
• Minimum of 7–10 years of progressive procurement experience, with at least 3 years in a leadership role in manufacturing or food processing
• Demonstrated experience in setting up or transforming procurement functions
• Strong understanding of local and international sourcing, vendor development, ERP systems and Tanzanian regulatory compliance