Procurement Category Specialist - Maize & Pulses

Role Overview

This position centres on securing a steady, cost-effective supply of maize and pulses for a food manufacturing business. Day to day, you will manage the full procurement cycle from sourcing and supplier negotiations through to SAP purchase order processing, delivery coordination, and contract oversight, working closely with farmers, aggregators, and internal planning teams. Your work directly supports production continuity, raw material quality, and the company's regulatory compliance around extended producer responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute annual sourcing plans for maize and pulses aligned with business volumes, quality standards, and budget targets.
• Raise and manage purchase orders in SAP, verifying pricing, quantities, and delivery terms before confirming orders with suppliers and logistics teams.
• Monitor the lifecycle of supply contracts, including renewals, amendments, and terminations, while flagging any performance or delivery risks.
• Maintain accurate records of local grain purchases and government allocation volumes, and coordinate the monthly CMA maize survey submissions.
• Consolidate extended producer responsibility data from all plant locations and prepare monthly compliance reports for KEPRO, including processing related purchase orders and payments.
• Negotiate pricing and commercial terms with farmers, producers, and aggregators, analysing market price movements to identify cost reduction and savings opportunities.
• Work with department heads to set inventory requirements, review stock reports, and adjust procurement plans to keep grain and pulse levels within target ranges.
• Strengthen supplier partnerships through fair purchasing practices, off-taker agreements, grievance resolution, and regular communication including broadcast updates.

Requirements & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business management, supply chain management, procurement, or a related field.
• At least five years of procurement experience, specifically involving maize and pulse purchasing, aggregation, and logistics coordination.
• Proficiency in SAP, especially the Materials Management module, and strong working knowledge of Microsoft Office applications.
• Demonstrated negotiation, analytical, and decision-making skills with a results-oriented and detail-focused approach.
• Strong financial acumen and the ability to assess cost structures, pricing changes, and supplier performance data.
• Excellent relationship management and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate internally and build trust with external suppliers.
• Professional procurement certification from bodies such as KISM or CIPS is an added advantage.
• Commitment to following company policies and standards, including safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.