VACANCY: Supply Chain & Procurement Manager
Location: Sigona, Kiambu County (near Nairobi), KenyaEmployment: Full-time | Factory-based, with occasional travel
About We Do Bamboo
At We Do Bamboo, we turn bamboo into durable building materials.
From our factory in Sigona, Kenya, we manufacture bamboo composite decking, cladding and wall panels, creating alternatives to conventional timber products while supporting local manufacturing and the development of Kenya's bamboo industry.
As our production and biomass activities grow, so does the complexity of our supply chain. We source raw materials locally and internationally, import specialised additives and machinery, work with bamboo suppliers across Kenya and deliver finished products to customers.
We're looking for an experienced Supply Chain & Procurement Manager who can help us build a more efficient, cost-effective and reliable operation.
About the Role
As Supply Chain & Procurement Manager, you'll be responsible for managing and improving our supply chain, from sourcing raw materials and industrial equipment to inventory planning, logistics and supplier relationships.
But this role goes beyond purchasing.
Your main objective is to reduce costs, improve margins and working capital, and build a supply chain that supports our growth.
You'll manage procurement budgets, negotiate competitive supplier agreements, identify measurable cost-saving opportunities and improve the way we plan and manage inventory.
A key part of your role will be strengthening our use of Odoo, connecting procurement, inventory and production planning into a more integrated and automated system.
You'll also source machinery and heavy equipment for our expanding manufacturing and biomass operations, including chippers, harvesting equipment and related processing machinery.
You will report directly to our Chief of Staff, who sets the overall procurement strategy and approves major contracts. Within this framework, you'll independently manage supplier negotiations and work closely with our production, finance and sales teams.
We're looking for someone who takes ownership, challenges existing ways of working and turns improvements into measurable results.
Key Responsibilities
Procurement & Cost Management
Develop and manage an annual procurement budget with clear cost-reduction targets.
Identify opportunities to structurally lower purchasing costs without compromising quality or supply reliability.
Negotiate supplier agreements covering prices, payment terms, quantities and delivery conditions.
Track and report realised cost savings against agreed budgets and purchasing baselines.
Organise competitive sourcing processes, including RFQs, tenders and supplier comparisons.
Develop alternative suppliers to improve competitiveness and reduce supply risks.
Monitor purchasing performance and identify opportunities to improve margins.
Equipment & Machinery Sourcing
Source industrial machinery and heavy equipment for our manufacturing and biomass operations.
Identify and evaluate suppliers of chippers, harvesting equipment, processing machinery and related equipment.
Compare equipment based on purchase price, operating costs, maintenance requirements, reliability and total cost of ownership.
Coordinate technical specifications with our production and management teams.
Manage equipment procurement, importation and delivery, including negotiations with international suppliers.
Inventory & Working Capital
Optimise inventory levels to reduce unnecessary stock and capital tied up in the operation.
Improve purchasing and replenishment planning based on production requirements, lead times and demand.
Negotiate improved supplier payment terms to support cash flow.
Reduce excess stock, stockouts and unnecessary emergency purchases.
Work closely with production and finance to improve inventory turnover and working capital efficiency.
Odoo & Process Improvement
Lead improvements to our procurement and inventory management processes in Odoo.
Connect purchasing, stock management and production planning to improve visibility and coordination.
Implement automated replenishment rules, reorder points and purchasing workflows where appropriate.
Develop dashboards for purchasing costs, supplier performance, stock levels and key operational indicators.
Improve data accuracy, process consistency and traceability.
Identify opportunities to reduce manual administration, prevent errors and improve efficiency.
Supply Chain & Logistics
Source HDPE, additives, spare parts, consumables and other materials from local and international suppliers.
Manage international purchasing and imports, particularly from Asia.
Coordinate shipping, customs clearance, clearing agents and relevant KRA and KEBS requirements.
Oversee local deliveries and international export shipments.
Work with our bamboo sourcing team to establish purchasing price targets and monitor raw bamboo costs.
Maintain reliable material availability to support uninterrupted production.
Identify supply chain risks early and develop practical solutions.
Performance & Reporting
You'll be expected to report monthly on clear, measurable KPIs, including:
Procurement savings: realised cost reductions against agreed targets and purchasing baselines.
Budget performance: actual purchasing expenditure versus budget.
Working capital: improvements in payment terms, inventory turnover and stock value.
Inventory efficiency: stock availability, excess stock and stockout frequency.
Supplier performance: pricing, quality, lead times and delivery reliability.
Process efficiency: progress in Odoo integration, automation and data accuracy.
The objective is not simply to report numbers, but to use them to make better purchasing and operational decisions.
What We're Looking For
We're looking for a commercially minded, analytical and hands-on professional with proven experience in procurement and supply chain management.
Essential requirements:
A degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Business, Engineering or a related field.
At least 5 years of relevant procurement and supply chain experience, preferably in manufacturing.
At least 2 years of experience independently negotiating supplier agreements.
Proven experience importing goods from China, India or other international markets, including customs clearance in Kenya.
Demonstrated ability to negotiate better purchasing conditions and deliver measurable cost savings.
Experience managing procurement budgets, RFQs, tenders and supplier selection.
A good understanding of inventory management, working capital and cost control.
Hands-on experience with ERP systems, including purchasing and inventory workflows.
Strong analytical skills and proficiency in Excel.
Excellent organisational, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
Good spoken and written English and Swahili.
Willingness to work from our factory in Sigona.
Experience that would be an advantage:
Working with Odoo, particularly purchasing, inventory and manufacturing modules.
Sourcing industrial equipment, agricultural machinery or biomass processing equipment.
Knowledge of polymers, plastics, chemical additives or other manufacturing raw materials.
Experience with international freight, export procedures and logistics.
CIPS certification or KISM membership.
Beyond your experience, we value someone who is proactive, resourceful and comfortable taking responsibility.
You should enjoy negotiating, solving problems and finding better ways to work. And you should be able to demonstrate the financial and operational impact of your decisions.
What We Offer
An opportunity to build and improve the supply chain and procurement function of a growing Kenyan manufacturing company.
A position where your work directly influences costs, profitability and operational efficiency.
The freedom to identify improvements and turn your ideas into action.
A diverse range of purchasing responsibilities, from raw materials to industrial equipment and machinery.
Direct collaboration with management and our production and finance teams.
A permanent, full-time position following a successful probation period.
A competitive salary based on experience.
The opportunity to contribute to the growth of Kenya's bamboo industry and local manufacturing.
How to Apply
Interested in helping us build a more efficient supply chain?
Send your CV and a short cover letter to careers@we-do-bamboo.com.
Email subject: Application – Supply Chain & Procurement Manager
In your cover letter, please include one concrete example of a cost-saving initiative or working capital improvementyou achieved in a previous role.
Tell us what you changed, how you implemented it and how you measured the results.
Applications without this example will not be considered.
We Do Bamboo is an equal opportunity employer. We actively encourage women to apply and select candidates based on their skills, experience and suitability for the role.
Let's build better, together.
