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Procurement Officer

Muthokinju Paints & Cement

Nairobifull time~KES 80k – 130k/mo17h ago

Quick Take

The Role

Source, negotiate with, and manage suppliers while processing purchase orders, tracking inventory, and ensuring timely delivery of paints, cement, and building materials across Muthokinju's operations.

You Need

3+ years of hands-on procurement or supply chain experience, strong supplier negotiation skills, and proficiency with ERP systems or procurement software.

You Get

Competitive salary (KES 80–130k/month), a role at the heart of operations with direct impact on business continuity, and growth potential within an established Kenyan distributor.

Job Description

Role Overview

Muthokinju Paints & Cement, one of Kenya's established distributors and retailers of paints, cement, and building materials, is seeking a detail-oriented and proactive Procurement Officer to join its supply chain team. This role sits at the heart of the company's operations, ensuring that raw materials, finished goods, and operational supplies are sourced efficiently, cost-effectively, and in compliance with internal procurement policies.

The successful candidate will manage the end-to-end procurement cycle — from identifying supply needs and sourcing vendors to negotiating contracts, processing purchase orders, and monitoring delivery timelines. You will work closely with warehouse, finance, and operations teams to maintain optimal stock levels and support business continuity across all outlets.

Key Responsibilities
  • Execute the full procurement cycle including requisition processing, supplier sourcing, purchase order issuance, and delivery follow-up.
  • Maintain accurate procurement documentation including LPOs, contracts, delivery notes, and supplier invoices in line with compliance requirements.
  • Monitor inventory levels and coordinate with the warehouse team to forecast stock requirements and prevent shortages or overstocking.
  • Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers while maintaining a vetted and performance-rated vendor database.
  • Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and service level agreements with suppliers to achieve cost savings without compromising quality.
  • Conduct regular market analysis to benchmark supplier prices and identify procurement improvement opportunities.
  • Build and sustain strong relationships with key vendors, resolving disputes and ensuring timely delivery of goods and services.
  • Prepare periodic procurement reports including spend analysis, supplier performance, and cost-saving summaries for management review.
  • Ensure all procurement activities adhere to company policies, ethical standards, and regulatory requirements.
  • Support internal audits by providing accurate procurement records and documentation.
Required Skills & Experience
  • Demonstrate at least 3 years of hands-on procurement or supply chain experience, preferably within a manufacturing, retail, or building materials environment.
  • Apply knowledge of procurement best practices, supplier evaluation frameworks, and inventory management principles in day-to-day tasks.
  • Negotiate effectively with suppliers to secure favourable terms while maintaining professional long-term relationships.
  • Use ERP systems or procurement software to process orders, track deliveries, and generate reports accurately.
  • Analyse spend data and market pricing to recommend cost-reduction strategies to management.
  • Communicate clearly and professionally — both in writing and verbally — with internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
  • Demonstrate high attention to detail when reviewing contracts, invoices, and delivery documentation.
  • Work independently, prioritise competing tasks, and meet procurement deadlines in a fast-paced environment.
  • Hold a Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
  • Professional certification such as CIPS or KISM membership will be a distinct advantage.
Salary & Benefits

The salary for this role is competitive and commensurate with experience, estimated in the range of KES 80,000 – 130,000 per month. Muthokinju Paints & Cement offers a stable and growth-oriented work environment within Kenya's thriving construction and building materials sector.

  • Competitive monthly salary based on experience
  • Opportunities for career growth within the organisation
  • Exposure to a dynamic supply chain environment in the building materials industry
Who Should Apply

Ideal Candidate: You are a mid-level procurement professional with solid experience managing vendor relationships, processing purchase orders, and ensuring supply chain compliance. You thrive in a structured environment, are highly organised, and understand the urgency of keeping stock levels aligned with business demand. Experience in the paints, cement, construction, or FMCG sector is a strong advantage.

Who Should NOT Apply: This role is not suitable for candidates with no prior procurement experience, those unfamiliar with formal procurement documentation and processes, or individuals seeking a purely administrative role with no supplier-facing responsibilities.

How to Apply
  • Prepare an updated CV highlighting your procurement experience, key achievements, and any professional certifications.
  • Write a brief cover letter explaining why you are the right fit for this role at Muthokinju Paints & Cement.
  • Submit your application through the Muthokinju Paints & Cement official careers portal or the job platform where this listing was found.
  • Ensure your contact details are current and that you are available for interviews at short notice.
  • Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. If you do not hear back within 3 weeks of applying, consider your application unsuccessful for this round.

Requirements Breakdown

Must Have

  • Minimum 3 years of procurement or supply chain experience, preferably in manufacturing, retail, or building materials
  • Proficiency with ERP systems or procurement software for order processing and reporting
  • Strong supplier negotiation skills and ability to manage vendor relationships
  • Excellent attention to detail with documentation (LPOs, contracts, invoices, delivery notes)
  • Knowledge of procurement best practices and inventory management principles

Nice to Have

  • Experience in the building materials, paints, or cement sector
  • Familiarity with supplier evaluation frameworks and spend analysis
  • Track record of identifying and implementing cost-saving opportunities
  • Experience supporting internal or external audits and compliance processes

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Salary Context

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

The KES 80–130k range is in line with mid-level procurement roles in Kenya's manufacturing and retail sectors. Salaries in this field are driven by experience, the complexity of the supply chain managed, and vendor relationships built; candidates with proven cost-saving achievements or experience in high-volume procurement typically command the upper end of the range.

About Muthokinju Paints & Cement

M

Muthokinju Paints & Cement is an established distributor and retailer of paints, cement, and building materials across Kenya, serving construction and retail markets through multiple outlets. As a locally rooted player in Kenya's building materials sector, the company relies heavily on efficient supply chain operations to maintain inventory across its network. Working here offers exposure to a stable, operationally complex business and the chance to directly influence cost efficiency and vendor performance in a competitive sector.

Likely Interview Questions

  • 1

    Tell us about your experience managing the procurement cycle in a manufacturing or retail environment. What was the scale of your annual spend, and how did you optimize it?

  • 2

    Describe a time when you successfully negotiated improved pricing or payment terms with a supplier. How did you balance cost savings with maintaining the relationship?

  • 3

    How do you approach identifying and onboarding new suppliers? Walk us through your vendor evaluation process.

  • 4

    This role requires close coordination with warehouse, finance, and operations teams. Give an example of how you've resolved a conflict or miscommunication between departments.

  • 5

    What methods do you use to forecast inventory needs and prevent both shortages and overstocking? Have you used any specific tools or systems?

Application Tips

  • Quantify your procurement impact: highlight specific cost savings achieved, supplier reductions, or improved delivery performance — e.g., 'reduced supplier base by 20% while improving quality metrics' or 'negotiated a 15% price reduction on cement supplies.'

  • Showcase your ERP/software experience by name: mention the specific systems you've used (SAP, Oracle, Tally, or local procurement platforms), as technical proficiency is explicitly required.

  • Emphasize your experience in building materials, paints, cement, or similar bulk/commodity procurement if you have it—this sector-specific knowledge is highly valued and shows you understand margin-sensitive operations.

Career Path

Roles that lead here

Junior Procurement Assistant or Supply Chain Coordinator
Warehouse Supervisor or Inventory Control Officer
Sales or Operations Support role with supplier liaison responsibilities

Where this leads

Senior Procurement Officer or Procurement Manager
Supply Chain Manager or Head of Logistics
Operations Manager or Sourcing Director

Skills & Keywords

procurement officer kenyasupply chain jobs nairobipurchasing officer kenyaprocurement jobs kenya 2024vendor management kenyabuilding materials procurementkism jobs kenyainventory management jobs kenya

Honest Assessment

Green Flags

  • Clear, detailed job description with specific responsibilities (requisition processing, vendor database management, spend analysis, compliance) signals a well-structured role with defined expectations.
  • Emphasis on both cost savings and relationship-building shows a balanced approach to procurement—not just aggressive price-hunting—indicating a mature, professional supply chain culture.
  • Established company with multi-outlet operations offers exposure to complex, real-world supply chain challenges and job security in Kenya's stable building materials sector.
  • Competitive salary range (KES 80–130k) with a reasonable spread suggests room for progression based on performance and experience within the role.

Watch Out

  • The job description is cut off mid-sentence at the end ('Work independently, prioritise competing tasks, an…'), suggesting the original posting may be incomplete or hastily formatted. Clarify the full list of responsibilities and any final requirements before applying.
  • No mention of benefits (health insurance, bonuses, transport, training) despite a detailed responsibilities list—typical for Nairobi-based roles. Confirm the full compensation package during interviews.

A Day in the Life

☀️

Your week at Muthokinju starts with reviewing pending purchase orders in the ERP system and following up with suppliers on delayed cement shipments; you then spend Tuesday morning in a meeting with the warehouse team to adjust stock forecasts based on outlet demand. Wednesday is spent evaluating two new paint suppliers' quotations and conducting a spend analysis on your top 10 vendors to identify renegotiation opportunities. By Thursday, you're processing invoices, verifying deliveries against LPOs, and preparing a monthly procurement report highlighting a 12% cost reduction from recent negotiations. Friday involves stakeholder updates with finance and operations teams, and you close out the week by updating your vendor performance scorecard in preparation for next month's strategy session.

Frequently Asked Questions

What qualifications do I need to be a Procurement Officer at Muthokinju Paints & Cement?

You need at least 3 years of hands-on procurement or supply chain experience (preferably in manufacturing, retail, or building materials), proficiency with ERP systems, strong supplier negotiation skills, and knowledge of procurement best practices. A secondary qualification in supply chain, business administration, or a related field is advantageous but experience is the primary requirement.

Is the Procurement Officer role at Muthokinju Paints & Cement remote or office-based?

The role is based in Nairobi and involves close collaboration with warehouse, finance, and operations teams, so it is office-based. Some aspects of supplier communication and market research may be conducted remotely, but the position requires regular in-office presence.

How much does a Procurement Officer earn at Muthokinju Paints & Cement?

The posted salary range is KES 80,000–130,000 per month, depending on experience, proven track record, and negotiation skills. The upper end is typically reached by candidates with 5+ years of experience, documented cost-saving achievements, or specialist knowledge in the building materials sector.

What are the career growth opportunities for this role?

This role is a strong foundation for advancement into Senior Procurement Officer, Procurement Manager, or Supply Chain Manager positions within Muthokinju or similar organizations. Success here—particularly in cost optimization and vendor relationship management—opens doors to broader operations and logistics leadership roles.

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