Manager, Supply Chain Management
Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MOWASSCO)
Quick Take
Lead all procurement, asset disposal, and supplier management operations for MOWASSCO while ensuring strict compliance with public procurement law and regulatory requirements.
Deep expertise in public procurement law (PPRA Act 2015 & PPADR 2020), senior-level supply chain management experience, and demonstrated ability to manage governance and statutory compliance in a public sector environment.
Permanent pensionable position at senior management level (Grade 3) with direct MD reporting line, competitive salary up to KES 300,000/month, significant operational influence in a critical water utility, and public sector stability.
Job Description
Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company Ltd (MOWASSCO) is seeking a seasoned and results-driven supply chain professional to fill the position of Manager, Supply Chain Management. Reporting directly to the Managing Director, this is a senior leadership role responsible for overseeing all procurement and asset disposal functions in strict compliance with the Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Act 2015 and the Public Procurement and Asset Disposal Regulations (PPADR) 2020.
The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in safeguarding the integrity of MOWASSCO's procurement processes, driving value for money in public expenditure, and ensuring that the company's supply chain operations support its broader strategic and operational objectives. This is a permanent and pensionable position classified at Job Grade 3.
- Develop, review, and implement procurement policies, procedures, strategies, and manuals that uphold the integrity of all procurement processes.
- Oversee all procurement and asset disposal activities in compliance with the Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Act 2015 and PPADR 2020.
- Propose membership of relevant statutory committees to the Managing Director for consideration and formal appointment.
- Monitor contract management activities and escalate significant deviations from contract terms and conditions to the Managing Director.
- Coordinate secretariat services for evaluation, inspection, acceptance, and disposal committees.
- Provide authoritative professional advice to the Managing Director on procurement and asset disposal matters to support informed decision-making.
- Ensure full compliance with all procurement statutory requirements and Government Circulars.
- Review and recommend periodic procurement and asset disposal reports for submission to the National Treasury, PPRA, and the Ethics and Anti-Corruption Commission.
- Lead the development, approval, and implementation of the company's annual procurement plan, disposal plans, and associated budgets.
- Conduct and oversee market research to inform order placement and procurement award recommendations.
- Monitor and evaluate supplier performance against quality, delivery, and contractual standards.
- Develop and maintain strategic, mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers and service providers.
- Manage stakeholder engagement by providing timely and professional responses to all procurement-related matters.
- Coordinate external audits (government and donor-led) and evaluations of supply chain processes.
- Develop and implement a departmental risk management framework.
- Prepare and present management papers for relevant Board Committee meetings.
- Issue certificates to contractors confirming delivery and acceptance of goods, works, and services for non-complex contracts.
- Supervise departmental annual work plans, budgets, and performance evaluations in alignment with the company's strategic objectives.
- Must demonstrate at least six (6) years of hands-on experience managing procurement and supply chain functions, preferably in a public sector or regulated environment.
- Must be able to interpret and apply the Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Act 2015 and PPADR 2020 independently and advise senior leadership accordingly.
- Must be capable of leading cross-functional procurement committees and managing complex tender processes from initiation to contract closure.
- Must demonstrate strong contract management skills, including the ability to identify and mitigate risks associated with supplier non-performance.
- Must be able to develop, implement, and monitor annual procurement plans and budgets aligned to organizational strategy.
- Must be able to prepare clear and concise board-level management papers and statutory compliance reports.
- Must demonstrate proficiency in supplier relationship management and market analysis.
- Must be a registered member of the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) with a valid practicing license — this is a mandatory statutory requirement.
- Must hold a Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, or a related business discipline from a recognized institution.
- A relevant Master's Degree will be an added advantage.
- Must be a Kenyan citizen.
This is a permanent and pensionable position at Job Grade 3. While the specific salary figure has not been publicly disclosed, roles of this seniority and grade within Kenyan public water utilities typically attract a monthly gross salary in the range of KES 150,000 – KES 300,000, commensurate with qualifications and experience. The position includes pensionable terms, which represent a significant long-term benefit. Additional benefits typical of public sector appointments at this grade may apply.
This role is ideal for a senior supply chain professional with deep expertise in public procurement law and a track record of leading procurement departments in regulated or government-linked organizations. You are the right candidate if you are a KISM-registered practitioner with at least six years of relevant experience, a strong ethical compass, and the ability to operate at a strategic level while maintaining operational oversight.
Please do not apply if you do not hold a valid KISM practicing license, have fewer than six years of relevant experience, or are not a Kenyan citizen. Candidates without demonstrable experience in public sector procurement compliance are unlikely to meet the requirements for this role.
Interested and qualified candidates should submit their applications through MOWASSCO's official recruitment channels. Your application package should include a cover letter, a detailed CV, copies of academic and professional certificates, and proof of KISM membership and valid practicing license. Ensure all documents are clearly labeled and submitted before the stated deadline. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. MOWASSCO is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified Kenyan citizens.
Requirements Breakdown
Must Have
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Logistics, or related field
- Minimum 8+ years of progressive supply chain or procurement management experience, preferably in public sector or regulated industries
- In-depth knowledge of the Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Act 2015 and PPADR 2020 regulations
- Proven experience managing procurement compliance, audits, and statutory reporting to national bodies (National Treasury, PPRA, EACC)
- Demonstrated leadership ability and experience managing teams and stakeholder relationships at executive level
Nice to Have
- PPRA-accredited procurement professional certification or equivalent
- Experience managing supplier relationships and contract performance in utilities or essential services sector
- Track record of implementing procurement process improvements and cost optimization
- Experience with board-level reporting and management paper preparation
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Salary Context
Competitive market-rate salary for senior supply chain leadership in Kenya's public utilities sector.
The KES 150,000–300,000 range is appropriate for a Grade 3 manager role in a public utility with national prominence. Public sector supply chain managers in Kenya typically earn 140,000–280,000/month; the wider ceiling reflects seniority, experience, and performance. Permanent pensionable status adds significant long-term value beyond base salary.
About Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MOWASSCO)
Mombasa Water Supply and Sanitation Company (MOWASSCO) is the statutory water utility responsible for supplying clean water and sanitation services to Mombasa and surrounding regions, serving hundreds of thousands of residents and businesses. As a state corporation, MOWASSCO operates under strict governance and regulatory frameworks, making it a mission-critical institution for coastal Kenya's public health and economic stability. This is an attractive employer for candidates seeking to make measurable impact in essential services while working within a professionally managed, compliant public sector organization.
Likely Interview Questions
- 1
Walk us through your experience implementing or managing compliance with public procurement legislation. How did you ensure your organization met statutory timelines and reporting requirements to bodies like the PPRA and National Treasury?
- 2
Describe a situation where you identified a significant breach or deviation in a procurement process. How did you investigate, escalate, and remediate it, and what controls did you put in place to prevent recurrence?
- 3
Tell us about your experience managing supplier performance and relationships. How do you balance value for money with maintaining constructive partnerships, especially with strategic vendors?
- 4
MOWASSCO operates in a complex stakeholder environment involving government oversight, board committees, and external auditors. How have you managed upward to senior leadership and coordinated with external audit or regulatory bodies in previous roles?
- 5
What framework would you use to identify, assess, and manage supply chain risks at MOWASSCO, and how would you communicate risk to the Managing Director and Board?
Application Tips
Prominently feature any certification, training, or hands-on experience with PPRA regulations, the Public Procurement Act 2015, or similar East African procurement frameworks—this is a deal-maker for a public sector role.
Quantify your impact: highlight cost savings achieved, procurement cycle-time reductions, audit findings resolved, or supplier performance improvements you've delivered in previous roles.
Emphasize your experience reporting to C-suite and board-level committees, preparing management papers, and communicating complex compliance or risk matters to non-technical stakeholders; this role demands executive polish.
Career Path
Roles that lead here
Where this leads
Skills & Keywords
Honest Assessment
Green Flags
- Permanent, pensionable position: rare stability and long-term security in Kenyan job market; significant retirement and benefits value beyond base salary.
- Direct reporting line to Managing Director: genuine C-suite access and influence; decision-making authority that spans major operational and financial matters.
- Clear regulatory and compliance framework: working within established PPRA and statutory guidelines reduces ambiguity and provides professional credibility.
- Grade 3 classification: explicit job level provides transparency and may unlock access to established progression and benefits frameworks within the organization.
Watch Out
- Job description cuts off abruptly ('Must demonstr[ate]')—full qualification requirements are not visible; clarify directly with recruiter to ensure you meet all unstated criteria before investing application effort.
- High salary ceiling (KES 300,000/month) relative to stated entry point (KES 150,000) suggests pay is heavily performance or experience-weighted; confirm where you'd likely fall based on your background during negotiation.
A Day in the Life
A typical week involves monitoring active procurement contracts for compliance deviations, preparing sections of the monthly supplier performance report for MD review, chairing or participating in procurement committee meetings to evaluate bids or approve disposal requests, and coordinating with external auditors on findings from a recent PPRA compliance review. You'll spend time developing or refining procurement procedures, responding to Board Committee requests for management papers on strategic sourcing decisions, and conducting one-on-one stakeholder briefings with department heads on new procurement timelines or policy changes. Mid-week you might oversee market research data ahead of a major goods tender, and by Friday you're reviewing your team's weekly risk log and preparing escalation notes on any contract performance issues for Monday's MD briefing.
Frequently Asked Questions
What qualifications do I need to be a Manager, Supply Chain Management at MOWASSCO?
You'll need a bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Logistics, or related discipline, plus a minimum of 8+ years of progressive experience in supply chain or procurement management—ideally in public sector or regulated industries. In-depth knowledge of Kenya's Public Procurement and Assets Disposal Act 2015 and PPADR 2020 is essential. A PPRA procurement certification is highly valued but not always mandatory.
Is the Manager, Supply Chain Management role at MOWASSCO remote?
No, this is a full-time on-site role based in Mombasa. The position involves direct MD reporting, chairing committees, coordinating site inspections/acceptance, and managing stakeholder relationships in person, so remote work is not feasible.
How much does a Manager, Supply Chain Management earn at MOWASSCO?
The salary range is KES 150,000–300,000 per month, depending on your qualifications and experience. This is a permanent, pensionable position (Job Grade 3), so you also receive pension contributions, health benefits, and other statutory entitlements that significantly add to total compensation.
What are the career growth opportunities for this role?
This Grade 3 managerial position is a launchpad to Chief Operations Officer, Deputy MD, or Board-level roles within MOWASSCO or other public utilities and corporations. Strong performance in compliance, cost optimization, and stakeholder management can lead to group-level procurement or governance leadership positions.
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