Manager, Global Procurement Phones

Role Overview

This position centres on the end-to-end management of mobile phone procurement for a global cash-transfer organisation. Day to day, you will translate programme demand into reliable supply plans, negotiate with vendors, and keep orders moving from purchase request to final delivery — all so that millions of dollars of cash assistance reach recipients through the handsets they need. Your work directly protects programme continuity, since a delayed or faulty shipment can mean people waiting longer for their transfer, and your decisions shape both cost efficiency and field-team satisfaction across multiple countries.

Key Responsibilities

• Build and maintain rolling demand forecasts for feature phones and smartphones in partnership with country programme teams, updating assumptions as enrolment targets or operational priorities shift.
• Turn forecast volumes into sourcing and replenishment plans that balance stock availability against storage costs, flagging potential stockouts or overstock situations before they become urgent.
• Own all supplier communication for handset categories, including leading RFQ/RFP processes to qualify new vendors and negotiating commercial terms such as unit price, lead time, and payment conditions.
• Track vendor performance against agreed quality and delivery standards, and resolve issues such as late shipments, damaged batches, or substandard devices through direct conversations with suppliers.
• Process purchase orders from creation through delivery confirmation, monitor shipment status across regions, and coordinate with finance on invoicing discrepancies, payment scheduling, and budget reconciliation.
• Manage returns, warranty claims, and defective-device replacement workflows, maintaining clear documentation and pushing suppliers for fair and timely resolutions.
• Produce regular reports on on-time-in-full delivery, cost savings, and stakeholder feedback, while also surfacing emerging risks like price increases, supply shortages, or customs delays to leadership early.

Requirements & Qualifications

• At least two years of experience in procurement, supply chain, vendor management, or a related category-management role; hands-on sourcing of electronics, telecom hardware, or similar technology products is a strong advantage.
• Demonstrated ability to manage demand forecasts and purchase orders, including using data to spot planning gaps and adjust buying strategies quickly.
• Strong negotiation skills with a proven track record of building supplier relationships and settling commercial disputes such as quality claims, returns, and warranty liabilities.
• Comfort operating across multiple African countries and time zones, with clear written and verbal communication in English and the ability to coordinate diverse stakeholders including programme teams, finance, and in-country procurement officers.
• Alignment with the organisation’s mission and values, including emotional intelligence, proactive problem-solving, project ownership, inclusive collaboration, and a genuine understanding of the communities served by cash-transfer programmes.