About the Opportunity
We are seeking a Procurement Officer to join a leading player in the specialty chemicals distribution sector, with a significant footprint in emerging markets, particularly across Africa. This position offers a unique opportunity to contribute to a critical function within a company that plays a pivotal role in supplying essential chemical solutions to various industries and communities in these high-growth regions.
The specialty chemicals distribution market is experiencing robust growth, driven by increasing demand across diverse sectors such as agriculture, food, industrial, and infrastructure development. The Procurement Officer role will support procurement operations, ensuring efficiency and compliance in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
Key Responsibilities
As a Procurement Officer, you will support procurement activities and supply chain optimization. Your responsibilities will include, but not be limited to:
• Assist in identifying, evaluating, and managing a diverse portfolio of global suppliers, supporting strategic partnerships and ensuring optimal cost, quality, and delivery performance. Support the securing of supply, maintaining competitiveness, and managing risks for group procurement across Africa for various commodities and semi-commodities.
• Support negotiations and manage supplier agreements, focusing on pricing, incoterms, quality/claims, and payment terms, with an emphasis on working capital (cash, exposure, inventory levels).
• Collaborate in monitoring market trends, cost drivers, and regulatory changes within the chemical industry. Support the implementation of sourcing strategies to mitigate risks and improve procurement performance through market/index monitoring, and supporting budgeting and pricing guidelines.
• Contribute to initiatives aimed at achieving cost savings, improving purchasing efficiency, assisting in logistics cost optimization, and identifying measurable savings.
• Collaborate with product management and commercial teams to align procurement activities with business needs. Coordinate with country teams and key functions (Sales, Supply Chain, Finance, QA) to support KPI tracking, participate in monthly reviews, assist in issue resolution, and contribute to multi-sourcing and safety stock strategies.
• Support the procurement side of the Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) process, assisting in consolidating forecasts, allocating volumes, and securing supply plans with Supply Chain and Sales teams.
• Support coordination with supply chain and logistics teams to optimize inventory levels, ensure timely deliveries, and assist in managing import/export procedures, including customs, documentary credits, and insurance.
• Assist in tracking key performance indicators (KPIs) for procurement activities and in preparing reports for management.
Required Profile
We are looking for a professional with experience in procurement within the chemical industry and the ability to thrive in a fast-paced, multicultural environment.
•Education: Bachelor's degree in Chemistry, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field.
•Experience: 2-4 years of relevant experience in international procurement and trading of chemical products, ideally with exposure to African markets.
• Understanding of chemical markets, product technical specifications, and production constraints. Familiarity with relevant regulatory frameworks.
• Good communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships.
• Proactive mindset, tenacity, integrity, adaptability to multicultural settings, and a commitment to confidentiality.
• Good analytical capabilities to interpret data and support the identification of improvement opportunities.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in English is essential. Proficiency in French is a significant advantage.
• IT Skills: Proficiency in ERP systems and other relevant procurement software.
