I

Procurement Officer

Ideal Ceramics

Nairobifull time~KES 80k – 150k/mo2d ago

Quick Take

The Role

Source quality materials, manage supplier relationships, process purchase orders, and optimise the supply chain to keep Ideal Ceramics' operations running efficiently and cost-effectively.

You Need

At least 5 years of procurement or supply chain experience, strong negotiation and data analysis skills, and the ability to juggle multiple deadlines with meticulous attention to detail.

You Get

Competitive salary (KES 80,000–150,000/mo), a central role in a growing ceramics manufacturing and retail business, and a clear opportunity to drive operational excellence and cost savings.

Job Description

Role Overview

Ideal Ceramics is seeking a results-driven Procurement Officer to join our operations team. This role is central to ensuring that our supply chain runs efficiently, cost-effectively, and in alignment with our business objectives. As a key member of the procurement function, you will be responsible for sourcing quality materials, managing supplier relationships, and supporting the smooth delivery of goods and services across the organisation.

This is an excellent opportunity for a procurement professional with solid industry experience to take ownership of a critical function within a growing ceramics manufacturing and retail business. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment and are passionate about operational excellence, we want to hear from you.

Key Responsibilities
  • Identify, evaluate, and onboard reliable suppliers and vendors aligned with company quality and cost standards
  • Prepare and process purchase orders, ensuring accuracy and timely delivery of goods and services
  • Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with suppliers to achieve optimal value for the organisation
  • Monitor inventory levels and coordinate with relevant departments to anticipate procurement needs
  • Conduct market research and analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities and new sourcing options
  • Maintain accurate and up-to-date procurement records, documentation, and reports
  • Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, procedures, and applicable regulations
  • Resolve supply chain disruptions, delivery delays, and supplier disputes in a timely and professional manner
  • Collaborate cross-functionally with finance, operations, and warehouse teams to align procurement with business goals
  • Track and evaluate supplier performance against agreed KPIs and recommend improvements where necessary
Required Skills & Experience
  • Must demonstrate at least 5 years of hands-on procurement or supply chain experience in a structured organisation
  • Must be able to analyse procurement data, identify trends, and make evidence-based purchasing decisions
  • Must be capable of managing multiple purchase orders and deadlines simultaneously without compromising accuracy
  • Must demonstrate strong negotiation skills and the ability to secure favourable terms with suppliers
  • Must communicate clearly and professionally with both internal stakeholders and external vendors
  • Must show a track record of maintaining meticulous attention to detail in documentation and reporting
  • Experience working in the retail or manufacturing industry is a strong added advantage
  • Proficiency in procurement software or ERP systems is desirable
  • Must be able to work independently with minimal supervision while also contributing effectively within a team
Salary & Benefits

The salary for this role is competitive and commensurate with experience, estimated in the range of KES 80,000 – 150,000 per month. Ideal Ceramics offers a supportive work environment with opportunities for professional growth within the ceramics and construction materials sector. Specific benefits will be discussed during the interview process.

Who Should Apply

This role is ideal for a mid-level procurement professional who has built a strong foundation in sourcing, supplier management, and supply chain coordination. You are organised, analytical, and comfortable taking initiative in a dynamic business environment. Candidates with prior exposure to the retail or ceramics/building materials industry will have a distinct advantage.

Please do not apply if you have fewer than 5 years of relevant procurement experience, are not comfortable working with detailed documentation and data, or are seeking a purely administrative role with no strategic involvement in sourcing decisions.

How to Apply

Interested and qualified candidates should submit their updated CV and a brief cover letter outlining their procurement experience and why they are a strong fit for this role. Apply through the Ideal Ceramics official recruitment channel or the job platform where this listing is hosted. Ensure your application is submitted before the deadline of 22nd June 2026. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted for further evaluation.

Requirements Breakdown

Must Have

  • Minimum 5 years of hands-on procurement or supply chain experience in a structured organisation
  • Proven ability to analyse procurement data, identify trends, and make evidence-based purchasing decisions
  • Strong negotiation skills with a track record of securing favourable supplier terms
  • Ability to manage multiple purchase orders and deadlines simultaneously without compromising accuracy
  • Meticulous attention to detail in documentation, reporting, and compliance

Nice to Have

  • Experience working in retail or manufacturing industry
  • Proficiency in procurement software or ERP systems
  • Track record of identifying and implementing cost-saving opportunities
  • Experience resolving supply chain disruptions and supplier disputes

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Salary Context

Competitive mid-range salary for an experienced Procurement Officer in Nairobi

The KES 80,000–150,000/mo range is aligned with market rates for a procurement professional with 5+ years of experience in Kenya's manufacturing and retail sectors. Salary progression within this band typically depends on industry background, negotiation skills demonstrated, and supplier management complexity.

About Ideal Ceramics

I

Ideal Ceramics is a growing ceramics manufacturing and retail business operating in Nairobi, combining production with direct-to-consumer retail operations. The company is positioned as a quality-focused player in Kenya's ceramics sector, serving both B2B and retail markets. This is an opportunity to join a scaling organisation where supply chain excellence directly impacts product quality and business competitiveness.

Likely Interview Questions

  • 1

    Tell us about a time you negotiated a significant cost saving with a supplier. What was your approach, and what was the outcome?

  • 2

    How have you managed a supply chain disruption or critical supplier failure in your previous role? Walk us through your problem-solving process.

  • 3

    Describe your experience with ERP or procurement software systems. Which systems have you used, and how have they improved your efficiency?

  • 4

    What strategies would you use to evaluate and onboard new suppliers for a ceramics manufacturing business, and what quality and compliance criteria are most important to you?

  • 5

    Give an example of how you've used procurement data or market analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities. What tools or methods did you use?

Application Tips

  • Quantify your procurement wins: include specific examples of cost savings, supplier negotiations, or efficiency improvements you've driven (e.g. 'reduced material costs by 15% through competitive tendering').

  • Highlight any experience in manufacturing or retail supply chains—this company values industry-specific knowledge, so make this visible early in your CV.

  • Demonstrate technical competency: mention any ERP systems, procurement software, or data analysis tools you've used (SAP, Oracle, Jaunt, Excel-based analytics, etc.), as this is a desirable skill.

Career Path

Roles that lead here

Procurement Assistant or Junior Procurement Officer
Supply Chain Coordinator
Warehouse or Inventory Manager with procurement exposure

Where this leads

Procurement Manager or Senior Procurement Officer (managing a team)
Supply Chain Manager or Operations Manager
Head of Procurement or Procurement Director

Skills & Keywords

procurement officer kenyasupply chain jobs nairobipurchasing officer kenyaprocurement jobs kenya 2026ideal ceramics jobsretail procurement kenyavendor management jobsoperations jobs nairobi

Honest Assessment

Green Flags

  • Clear, detailed responsibilities and key performance criteria, making the role expectations transparent and measurable.
  • Competitive salary range (KES 80,000–150,000/mo) reflects the seniority level (5+ years) and is commensurate with Nairobi market rates for this role.
  • Cross-functional collaboration explicitly valued—the role involves working with finance, operations, and warehouse teams, indicating a well-integrated organisational structure.
  • Growing ceramics manufacturing and retail business suggests job stability and internal growth opportunities within a scaling organisation.

Watch Out

  • Job description is cut off mid-sentence in the benefits section ('opportunities for professional growth within the...'), suggesting the posting may be incomplete or hastily published.
  • No mention of remote work flexibility, work-from-home options, or specific contract terms (permanent vs. contract), which are increasingly expected in Nairobi professional roles.
  • No detail on team size, direct reports, or management structure—unclear whether this is an individual contributor role or if it involves leading a procurement team.

A Day in the Life

☀️

Your week involves reviewing supplier quotations and analysing cost data on Monday and Tuesday mornings, then jumping into contract negotiations with two key vendors via email and video calls. Mid-week, you coordinate with the operations team to forecast raw material needs for the next production cycle, process a batch of purchase orders, and audit inventory levels against your system records. You spend Thursday afternoon investigating a delivery delay from a supplier, documenting the issue, and liaising with finance on invoice reconciliation. Fridays are reserved for supplier performance reviews, market research for alternative sourcing options, and updating your procurement reports for management. Throughout the week, you're juggling 15+ active purchase orders across multiple suppliers while ensuring all documentation meets company compliance standards.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to be a Procurement Officer at Ideal Ceramics?

You must have at least 5 years of hands-on procurement or supply chain experience in a structured organisation, strong data analysis and negotiation skills, and demonstrated ability to manage multiple deadlines and maintain meticulous documentation. Experience in manufacturing or retail is a strong advantage.

Is the Procurement Officer role at Ideal Ceramics remote or office-based?

The job posting specifies the location as Nairobi and does not mention remote work options, implying this is an office-based role. Clarify work-from-home or flexibility policies during the interview process.

How much does a Procurement Officer earn at Ideal Ceramics?

The salary range is KES 80,000–150,000 per month, commensurate with your experience level and negotiation skills. The upper range typically applies to candidates with strong manufacturing or retail supply chain backgrounds and proven cost-saving achievements.

What are the career growth opportunities for this role?

The job posting mentions 'opportunities for professional growth,' indicating a pathway to Senior Procurement Officer, Procurement Manager, or broader Supply Chain Manager roles as the company grows. Growth typically depends on performance, cost savings delivered, and team leadership capability.

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