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Procurement Category Specialist – Logistics, Fleet & Warehousing

Unga Group

Nairobifull time~KES 150k – 280k/mo15h ago

Quick Take

The Role

Lead strategic sourcing, supplier management, and contract negotiations across Unga Group's logistics, fleet, and warehousing operations to optimize costs and service quality.

You Need

5+ years of procurement experience with 2+ years in logistics/fleet/warehousing category management, expertise in tender processes and commercial negotiations, and proficiency with category management methodologies.

You Get

Strategic, high-impact role with measurable cost-saving accountability, leadership of a business-critical category, and competitive salary (KES 150,000–280,000/mo) at a major FMCG player in Kenya.

Job Description

Role Overview

Unga Group is seeking an experienced Procurement Category Specialist to lead the Logistics, Fleet, and Warehousing category. This is a strategic, high-impact procurement role responsible for developing and executing category management strategies that drive cost optimization, supplier excellence, and operational continuity across transport, distribution, fleet management, warehouse operations, and third-party logistics services.

The successful candidate will serve as the primary procurement interface for all logistics and fleet-related spend, partnering with operational, commercial, and supply chain teams to ensure value-for-money sourcing, robust contract management, and proactive risk mitigation across a complex and business-critical category.

Key Responsibilities
  • Develop and implement comprehensive category strategies covering transport and distribution, fleet management, warehousing and depot operations, material handling equipment, 3PL services, fuel, lubricants, tyres, fleet consumables, vehicle maintenance, and freight forwarding.
  • Lead end-to-end sourcing projects including RFQs, RFPs, competitive tenders, and commercial negotiations to achieve best-value outcomes.
  • Prepare tender documentation, evaluation frameworks, and commercial analysis reports to support supplier selection decisions.
  • Negotiate pricing structures, service levels, KPIs, penalty clauses, and contractual terms with logistics and fleet service providers.
  • Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships with transporters, fleet service providers, and warehouse operators.
  • Conduct regular supplier performance reviews against agreed SLAs and KPIs; manage scorecards and corrective action plans.
  • Draft, review, and manage contracts for logistics, fleet, and warehousing services; monitor compliance, renewals, and variations.
  • Support operational teams in resolving logistics and fleet supply challenges; coordinate emergency sourcing and contingency planning.
  • Participate in fleet optimization, routing efficiency reviews, and warehouse improvement initiatives.
  • Monitor supplier adherence to vehicle maintenance schedules and roadworthiness regulations.
  • Identify and mitigate procurement and supply risks; ensure full compliance with company procurement policies and regulatory requirements.
  • Track category spend, generate insights, and report on savings delivered against targets.
Required Skills & Experience
  • Demonstrate at least 5 years of progressive procurement experience with a minimum of 2 years managing logistics, transport, fleet, or warehousing categories in an FMCG, manufacturing, or large commercial environment.
  • Apply structured category management methodologies to develop and execute multi-year sourcing strategies.
  • Lead complex tender processes and commercial negotiations independently, delivering measurable cost savings and improved service terms.
  • Draft, interpret, and manage commercial contracts including SLAs, KPIs, penalty frameworks, and variation orders.
  • Use data and spend analytics to identify sourcing opportunities and track category performance against budget.
  • Manage supplier relationships at a senior level, driving performance improvement and collaborative partnerships.
  • Understand and apply knowledge of Kenya transport regulations, fleet compliance requirements, and logistics market dynamics.
  • Work cross-functionally with warehouse, production, finance, and commercial teams to align procurement strategies with business needs.
  • Hold a Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business, Logistics, or a related field.
  • Professional certification such as CIPS, KISM, or equivalent is strongly preferred.
  • Demonstrate proficiency in ERP systems (SAP preferred) and procurement analytics tools.
Salary & Benefits

Unga Group offers a competitive remuneration package in line with the seniority and scope of this role. Based on Kenyan market benchmarks for senior procurement specialists in the manufacturing sector, the estimated monthly salary range is KES 150,000 – KES 280,000, subject to qualifications and experience. The package is complemented by a comprehensive benefits structure typical of a listed group company.

Who Should Apply

Ideal candidate: A strategic, commercially minded procurement professional with a proven track record in logistics and fleet category management within a structured procurement environment. You are confident negotiating with large service providers, comfortable managing complex contracts, and skilled at influencing cross-functional stakeholders. You thrive in a fast-paced, operationally driven business and bring both analytical rigour and practical sourcing expertise.

Do NOT apply if: You have fewer than 5 years of relevant procurement experience, have no direct exposure to logistics or fleet category management, lack experience managing supplier contracts independently, or are looking for a purely transactional purchasing role.

How to Apply
  • Prepare an up-to-date CV highlighting your category management experience, key sourcing achievements, and any measurable cost savings delivered.
  • Write a concise cover letter (one page maximum) explaining your fit for the Logistics, Fleet, and Warehousing category specifically.
  • Submit your application through Unga Group's official careers portal or the platform on which you found this listing.
  • Ensure your application clearly indicates the role title: Procurement Category Specialist – Logistics, Fleet & Warehousing.
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear back within 4 weeks of the closing date, consider your application unsuccessful.

Requirements Breakdown

Must Have

  • Minimum 5 years progressive procurement experience
  • Minimum 2 years managing logistics, transport, fleet, or warehousing categories
  • Proven expertise in end-to-end tender processes (RFQ, RFP, competitive bidding)
  • Strong commercial negotiation skills and contract drafting/management ability
  • Experience in FMCG, manufacturing, or large commercial environments

Nice to Have

  • Knowledge of vehicle maintenance regulations and roadworthiness compliance
  • Demonstrated cost-saving delivery against procurement targets
  • Experience with supplier scorecarding and SLA/KPI management
  • Familiarity with fleet optimization and warehouse improvement initiatives

Don't meet every requirement? Tailor your CV to close the gap →

Salary Context

Competitive salary for senior procurement specialist role in Nairobi

The range of KES 150,000–280,000/mo reflects experience and performance levels within this role; senior procurement category specialists in Kenya typically earn KES 140,000–300,000/mo depending on company scale and category complexity. Logistics and fleet expertise commands premium rates in FMCG and manufacturing sectors.

About Unga Group

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Unga Group is a major FMCG and agro-processing company with significant operations across East Africa, recognized for milling, packaging, and distribution of consumer staples. The company operates a complex supply chain and logistics infrastructure serving retail and institutional customers, making procurement excellence critical to its competitive position. Working at Unga Group offers exposure to large-scale operations, established brand reputation, and the opportunity to drive tangible cost and operational impact in a regulated, high-volume environment.

Likely Interview Questions

  • 1

    Walk us through a complex logistics or fleet tender you led—what was the scope, who were the key stakeholders, and what cost or service savings did you achieve?

  • 2

    How do you approach supplier performance management? Describe a time when you had to enforce SLAs or penalty clauses with an underperforming logistics provider.

  • 3

    Our fleet and warehousing categories are intertwined with operations teams. How do you balance procurement best practice with operational urgency and emergency sourcing needs?

  • 4

    Tell us about your experience with contract management in logistics—specifically, how do you handle service level variation, renewal negotiations, and regulatory compliance monitoring?

  • 5

    Describe your approach to identifying and mitigating supply chain risks in a business-critical category like logistics and fleet. What tools or methodologies do you use?

Application Tips

  • Quantify your savings: highlight specific cost reductions, efficiency improvements, or service gains you've delivered in logistics or fleet procurement—use concrete percentages or KES amounts.

  • Lead with category management maturity: emphasize structured approaches (e.g., Kraljic matrix, strategic vs. tactical sourcing) and multi-year category strategies, not just ad-hoc purchasing.

  • Showcase supplier and stakeholder management: provide examples of building long-term relationships with transporters, fleet operators, or 3PL providers, plus evidence of managing disputes or performance issues.

Career Path

Roles that lead here

Procurement Specialist – Transport or Logistics (junior category role)
Procurement Officer in FMCG or Manufacturing (generalist experience building to category focus)
Supply Chain Coordinator with procurement exposure

Where this leads

Head of Procurement / Procurement Manager (overseeing multiple categories)
Director of Supply Chain or Logistics Procurement
VP of Procurement or Chief Procurement Officer (strategic leadership)

Skills & Keywords

procurement jobs kenyasupply chain jobs nairobilogistics procurement specialistfleet management procurementcategory management kenyawarehousing jobs kenyaunga group jobspurchasing supply chain kenya

Honest Assessment

Green Flags

  • Strategic, high-impact role with clear accountability for cost optimization and supplier excellence—not a transactional procurement position.
  • Established company (Unga Group) with stable FMCG business and complex supply chain, offering exposure to real-world, large-scale procurement challenges.
  • Comprehensive category scope (transport, fleet, warehousing, 3PL, fuel, maintenance) provides diverse experience and reduces risk of narrow skill specialization.
  • Competitive salary aligned with senior procurement specialist expectations in Nairobi; strong upside potential to KES 280,000/mo.

Watch Out

  • The salary range is quite wide (KES 150,000–280,000/mo), suggesting pay will vary significantly based on experience—clarify where you'd sit in the band before accepting.
  • No mention of team size or direct reports; unclear whether this is an individual-contributor or leadership role, which affects day-to-day focus and growth potential.

A Day in the Life

☀️

Your week is split between strategic and operational work: mornings often include supplier performance review meetings with operations teams, evaluating fleet maintenance KPIs and warehouse efficiency metrics against agreed SLAs. Mid-week you're drafting RFQ documentation or analyzing tender responses for a new 3PL provider or fuel supply contract, coordinating internal stakeholder input. You'll spend time in one-on-one negotiations with key logistics partners, reviewing pricing structures and service variations, and updating spend dashboards to track savings against category targets. Afternoons might involve contract reviews with legal, contingency planning for supply disruptions, or supporting an operational team troubleshoot an emergency transport need—balancing procurement discipline with business continuity is core to the role.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to be a Procurement Category Specialist – Logistics, Fleet & Warehousing at Unga Group?

You need at least 5 years of progressive procurement experience with a minimum 2 years managing logistics, transport, fleet, or warehousing categories in FMCG, manufacturing, or large commercial settings. Strong competency in category management methodologies, tender processes, commercial negotiation, and contract management is essential.

Is the Procurement Category Specialist – Logistics, Fleet & Warehousing role at Unga Group remote?

The posting specifies the location as Nairobi with no mention of remote work options; this role likely requires on-site presence for supplier visits, stakeholder meetings, and operational coordination. Confirm remote/hybrid flexibility during the interview process.

How much does a Procurement Category Specialist – Logistics, Fleet & Warehousing earn at Unga Group?

The posted salary range is KES 150,000–280,000 per month, depending on experience and performance. The wide range suggests salary will be tailored to your background and negotiated during offer stage.

What are the career growth opportunities for this role?

This is a strategic category leadership position with a clear trajectory to Head of Procurement, Procurement Manager (multi-category oversight), or Director of Supply Chain roles. Success in cost optimization and supplier management directly opens doors to broader procurement or supply chain leadership.

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