Procurement Officer job at Tugende

About Tugende

Tugende uses asset finance, technology, and a customer-centric model to help informal sector entrepreneurs dramatically increase their economic trajectory. Tugende’s core asset finance packages include medical insurance, training, safety equipment, and digital credit profiles in addition to affordable asset financing for SMEs. By helping clients grow economically and building digital track records of responsibility, we are creating a long-term ecosystem for MSMEs to grow and thrive.

Tugende is tackling the credit gap for small businesses in Africa by enabling informal entrepreneurs to 1) own income‑generating assets, 2) build a verifiable digital credit profile, and 3) earn future growth opportunities through the Tugende digital platform. This platform includes discounts, smartphones, e‑commerce opportunities, and on‑demand credit lines. Tugende has financed 100,000+ clients and has hundreds of employees serving clients across 16 branches in Uganda and 8 in Kenya.

About the role
The Procurement Officer will be responsible for managing the end-to-end procurement process, ensuring that all procurement activities are conducted in accordance with Company policies and procedures. The role will focus on strategic sourcing, supplier management, contract administration, inventory coordination, and continuous improvement of procurement processes.

The successful candidate will demonstrate exceptional integrity, commercial acumen, strong negotiation skills, and a commitment to operational excellence.

The successful candidate will exemplify and embrace Tugende’s Core Values of: Integrity, Empathy, Solutions Oriented, Work as a Team and Always Growing.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Supplier Management

• Identify, research, evaluate, and onboard compliant suppliers through Requests for Information (RFIs), market research, and supplier due diligence.
• Continuously expand and maintain a robust supplier database with qualified and reliable service providers.
• Negotiate favourable pricing, payment terms, product quality, service levels, and delivery timelines to achieve optimal value without compromising quality.
• Proactively ensure suppliers provide a minimum of 30 days' credit terms wherever commercially feasible.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships while upholding Tugende's Core Values and ethical procurement standards.

Contract Management

• Prepare, negotiate, and manage contracts and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for all suppliers and service providers.
• Coordinate the contracting of strategic partners and ensure contractual obligations are clearly defined, documented, and monitored.
• Maintain and regularly update a centralized repository of supplier contracts and procurement documentation.

Procurement Operations

• Coordinate procurement requirements across all departments in accordance with the approved Procurement Policy.
• Ensure Purchase Orders are raised only against approved procurement requests and that all Purchase Orders are processed and received within 24 hours of delivery.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand procurement needs, define specifications, and ensure timely sourcing of goods and services.
• Oversee procurement activities across the business to ensure compliance with established procedures and approval workflows.

Procurement Planning & Cost Management

• Develop procurement plans for equipment, services, and operational supplies in collaboration with departmental stakeholders.
• Prepare procurement cost analyses, supplier comparisons, and monthly procurement expenditure reports.
• Monitor supplier pricing trends and identify opportunities for cost optimization and operational efficiencies.

Records Management & Reconciliation

• Maintain accurate procurement records, supplier pricing, inventory information, purchase histories, and supplier performance data.
• Keep comprehensive records of supplier qualifications, product catalogues, delivery performance, and contract documentation.
• Support procurement reconciliations by ensuring accurate documentation of purchases, deliveries, invoices, and supplier payments.

Compliance & Continuous Improvement

• Ensure full compliance with Tugende's Procurement Policy, governance standards, and delegated approval limits.
• Proactively engage stakeholders to promote adherence to procurement processes and policies across the organization.
• Conduct supplier qualification assessments and continuously monitor supplier performance.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen procurement systems, processes, and policies in line with Tugende's strategic objectives and recommend policy enhancements where appropriate.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Business Administration (Procurement Option), Supply Chain Management, Commerce, Logistics, or a related field.
• Professional certification such as CIPS or CPP is an added advantage.
• Minimum of two (2) years' progressive experience in procurement or purchasing
• Experience managing supplier contracts, procurement planning, and vendor negotiations.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, multi-location organization is an added advantage.

Knowledge, Skills & Competencies

• Strong negotiation and commercial management skills.
• Excellent supplier relationship management skills.
• Sound knowledge of procurement policies, governance, and best practices.
• Strong analytical and cost analysis skills.
• High attention to detail with excellent record management capabilities.
• Excellent planning, organization, and project coordination skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• High ethical standards, integrity, and accountability.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience using ERP or procurement management systems is an added advantage.

Why Join Tugende?

Join a purpose-driven organization that is transforming lives by empowering entrepreneurs through asset ownership and financial inclusion. At Tugende, you'll work in a collaborative environment that values innovation, continuous learning, accountability, and excellence while providing opportunities for professional growth and impact.

• Identify, research, evaluate, and onboard compliant suppliers through Requests for Information (RFIs), market research, and supplier due diligence.
• Continuously expand and maintain a robust supplier database with qualified and reliable service providers.
• Negotiate favourable pricing, payment terms, product quality, service levels, and delivery timelines to achieve optimal value without compromising quality.
• Proactively ensure suppliers provide a minimum of 30 days' credit terms wherever commercially feasible.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships while upholding Tugende's Core Values and ethical procurement standards.
• Prepare, negotiate, and manage contracts and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) for all suppliers and service providers.
• Coordinate the contracting of strategic partners and ensure contractual obligations are clearly defined, documented, and monitored.
• Maintain and regularly update a centralized repository of supplier contracts and procurement documentation.
• Coordinate procurement requirements across all departments in accordance with the approved Procurement Policy.
• Ensure Purchase Orders are raised only against approved procurement requests and that all Purchase Orders are processed and received within 24 hours of delivery.
• Work closely with internal stakeholders to understand procurement needs, define specifications, and ensure timely sourcing of goods and services.
• Oversee procurement activities across the business to ensure compliance with established procedures and approval workflows.
• Develop procurement plans for equipment, services, and operational supplies in collaboration with departmental stakeholders.
• Prepare procurement cost analyses, supplier comparisons, and monthly procurement expenditure reports.
• Monitor supplier pricing trends and identify opportunities for cost optimization and operational efficiencies.
• Maintain accurate procurement records, supplier pricing, inventory information, purchase histories, and supplier performance data.
• Keep comprehensive records of supplier qualifications, product catalogues, delivery performance, and contract documentation.
• Support procurement reconciliations by ensuring accurate documentation of purchases, deliveries, invoices, and supplier payments.
• Ensure full compliance with Tugende's Procurement Policy, governance standards, and delegated approval limits.
• Proactively engage stakeholders to promote adherence to procurement processes and policies across the organization.
• Conduct supplier qualification assessments and continuously monitor supplier performance.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen procurement systems, processes, and policies in line with Tugende's strategic objectives and recommend policy enhancements where appropriate.

• Strong negotiation and commercial management skills.
• Excellent supplier relationship management skills.
• Sound knowledge of procurement policies, governance, and best practices.
• Strong analytical and cost analysis skills.
• High attention to detail with excellent record management capabilities.
• Excellent planning, organization, and project coordination skills.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• High ethical standards, integrity, and accountability.
• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and other Microsoft Office applications.
• Experience using ERP or procurement management systems is an added advantage.

• Bachelor's Degree in Procurement and Supply Chain Management, Business Administration (Procurement Option), Supply Chain Management, Commerce, Logistics, or a related field.
• Professional certification such as CIPS or CPP is an added advantage.
• Minimum of two (2) years' progressive experience in procurement or purchasing
• Experience managing supplier contracts, procurement planning, and vendor negotiations.
• Experience working in a fast-paced, multi-location organization is an added advantage.