Purpose of the Role:

The Procurement Manager will be responsible for leading and managing the procurement function, ensuring the effective acquisition of goods and services required by the organization across both Direct Operations (e.g. raw materials, production inputs) and Support Operations (e.g. office supplies, IT, travel, maintenance, and equipment).

The role oversees the full procurement lifecycle, including sourcing, supplier selection, negotiation, order processing, contract administration, and supplier performance management, ensuring cost efficiency, compliance, and supply continuity.

Reports to : Director – Supply Chain and Remanufacturing

Branch : Lusaka

Contract Type : Fixed Term

Key Duties and Responsibilities:

The Procurement Manager will be required to perform the following tasks:

1. Procurement & Sourcing Management

• Manage procurement activities across direct and support categories.
• Supervise product and service sourcing and supplier selection for tactical and operational requirements.
• Lead or supervise the sourcing process for strategic requirements.
• Plan, lead, and chair negotiations with suppliers on behalf of Hitachi, covering pricing, commercial terms, and conditions to achieve cost efficiency and best value.
• Assess procurement requirements against business needs and implement sourcing strategies aligned with the approved requirements.
• Review and approve procurement evaluations submitted by subordinates.
• Prepare recommendation-for-award documents and contract documents for approved awards.

2. Supplier & Contract Management

• Manage supplier relationships and performance through structured supplier evaluations and contract management strategies.
• Negotiate and administer contracts, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, company standards, and contractual requirements.
• Oversee the design and implementation of supplier performance monitoring tools aligned with the scope of each contract, monitor supplier performance against agreed SLAs, and ensure that corrective action is taken where necessary.

3. Purchasing Operations & Order Management

• Oversee procurement processes from requisition to purchase order (PR to PO)
• Approve POs in the ERP system. Ensure timely procurement and delivery of goods and services
• Track and improve procurement cycle time and operational efficiency

4. Cost Control & Financial Management

• Drive procurement cost savings initiatives
• Monitor procurement spend against approved budgets
• Conduct spend analysis to identify optimization opportunities
• Facilitate budgeting by providing guidance on price of goods and services

5. Process Discipline & Systems

• Ensure compliance with procurement policies and procedures
• Utilize ERP systems (SAP, D365, Oracle, Navision, Pronto)
• Suggest useful system modules and system functionalities for implementation
• Maintain data accuracy and reporting integrity

6. Compliance, Risk & Governance

• Keep Procurement policy up to date and aligned to company standards
• Ensure adherence to procurement laws and company policies
• Manage procurement-related risks and ensure audit readiness
• Manage all internal and external department audits
• Maintain contract compliance and governance standards
• Prepare and present monthly procurement management reports

7. Stakeholder Management

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand procurement requirements
• Provide timely procurement services to support operations
• Influence procurement practices and improve service delivery
• Manage relations with suppliers and drive resolution of disputes

8. Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, coach, and supervise procurement staff
• Suggest training for subordinates in line with employee performance development
• Set performance targets and conduct appraisals
• Support professional development and certification (CIPS/ZIPS)

Qualifications & Experience

• Must have a full Grade 12 Certificate
• Must have a minimum of a Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field
• Must have at least 10 years’ experience in procurement and supply chain, and experience in mining/extractive/manufacturing industry
• Must have at least 5 years’ experience in a supervisory or managerial role
• Member of the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply (ZIPS) or equivalent
• IPS certification is an added advantage
• A master’s degree in Procurement, supply chain management, business administration or related field is an added advantage.
• Valid and unendorsed manual driver’s license
• ZAQA Validated Qualifications

Key Competencies

• Technical Expertise in procurement lifecycle and sourcing
• Strong supplier and contract management capability
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• ERP systems proficiency
• Leadership and team development capability
• Strong compliance and governance orientation

• Manage procurement activities across direct and support categories.
• Supervise product and service sourcing and supplier selection for tactical and operational requirements.
• Lead or supervise the sourcing process for strategic requirements.
• Plan, lead, and chair negotiations with suppliers on behalf of Hitachi, covering pricing, commercial terms, and conditions to achieve cost efficiency and best value.
• Assess procurement requirements against business needs and implement sourcing strategies aligned with the approved requirements.
• Review and approve procurement evaluations submitted by subordinates.
• Prepare recommendation-for-award documents and contract documents for approved awards.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance through structured supplier evaluations and contract management strategies.
• Negotiate and administer contracts, ensuring compliance with applicable laws, company standards, and contractual requirements.
• Oversee the design and implementation of supplier performance monitoring tools aligned with the scope of each contract, monitor supplier performance against agreed SLAs, and ensure that corrective action is taken where necessary.
• Oversee procurement processes from requisition to purchase order (PR to PO)
• Approve POs in the ERP system. Ensure timely procurement and delivery of goods and services
• Track and improve procurement cycle time and operational efficiency
• Drive procurement cost savings initiatives
• Monitor procurement spend against approved budgets
• Conduct spend analysis to identify optimization opportunities
• Facilitate budgeting by providing guidance on price of goods and services
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies and procedures
• Utilize ERP systems (SAP, D365, Oracle, Navision, Pronto)
• Suggest useful system modules and system functionalities for implementation
• Maintain data accuracy and reporting integrity
• Keep Procurement policy up to date and aligned to company standards
• Ensure adherence to procurement laws and company policies
• Manage procurement-related risks and ensure audit readiness
• Manage all internal and external department audits
• Maintain contract compliance and governance standards
• Prepare and present monthly procurement management reports
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand procurement requirements
• Provide timely procurement services to support operations
• Influence procurement practices and improve service delivery
• Manage relations with suppliers and drive resolution of disputes
• Lead, coach, and supervise procurement staff
• Suggest training for subordinates in line with employee performance development
• Set performance targets and conduct appraisals
• Support professional development and certification (CIPS/ZIPS)

• Technical Expertise in procurement lifecycle and sourcing
• Strong supplier and contract management capability
• Analytical and problem-solving skills
• ERP systems proficiency
• Leadership and team development capability
• Strong compliance and governance orientation

• Full Grade 12 Certificate
• Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or related field
• At least 10 years’ experience in procurement and supply chain, and experience in mining/extractive/manufacturing industry
• At least 5 years’ experience in a supervisory or managerial role
• Member of the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply (ZIPS) or equivalent
• IPS certification is an added advantage
• Master’s degree in Procurement, supply chain management, business administration or related field is an added advantage.
• Valid and unendorsed manual driver’s license
• ZAQA Validated Qualifications