Category Specialist – Procurement

The Category Specialist in Procurement at Family Bank is tasked with supporting the bank's strategic sourcing and category management. This involves efficiently procuring goods, services, and works to deliver value through cost optimization, effective supplier performance management, robust contract governance, and risk mitigation. The specialist must ensure strict adherence to procurement policies, regulatory requirements, and best practices within the banking industry. This role also serves as a key business partner to internal stakeholders, providing procurement solutions that enhance operational efficiency, support business growth, ensure regulatory compliance, and contribute to the achievement of the Bank’s strategic objectives.

1. Support the development and execution of category sourcing strategies aligned with business needs.
2. Conduct market intelligence, supplier analysis, and spend assessments to identify sourcing and cost optimization opportunities.
3. Lead and coordinate sourcing activities, including RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, e-auctions, and tendering processes.
4. Prepare sourcing recommendations, evaluation reports, and commercial assessments for approval.
5. Support supplier negotiations to secure optimal commercial, service, and contractual terms.
6. Manage supplier relationships within assigned categories to ensure consistent service delivery and value.
7. Monitor supplier performance against agreed service level agreements (SLAs), key performance indicators (KPIs), and contractual obligations.
8. Coordinate supplier performance reviews and implement corrective action plans as needed.
9. Support supplier development initiatives and continuous improvement programs.
10. Conduct supplier due diligence and onboarding in line with bank policies and regulatory requirements.
11. Support third-party risk assessments covering financial, operational, information security, business continuity, ESG, and reputational risks.
12. Ensure procurement activities comply with internal policies, delegated authority limits, and applicable regulatory requirements.
13. Maintain complete procurement records, audit trails, and governance documentation.
14. Support contract drafting, review, administration, renewal, and closure processes.
15. Track contract obligations, expiry dates, and performance milestones.
16. Ensure suppliers meet contractual commitments and agreed service levels.
17. Collaborate with Legal, Risk, Information Security, and Business Units during contract negotiations and reviews.
18. Partner with business units to understand procurement requirements and develop appropriate sourcing approaches.
19. Provide procurement advisory support to stakeholders on policy compliance and sourcing best practices.
20. Facilitate cross-functional evaluations involving Procurement, Finance, Risk, Legal, Operations, Technology, and business stakeholders.
21. Promote procurement best practices across the organization.
22. Process procurement requests and purchase orders according to approved procurement plans and budgets.
23. Ensure accurate and timely procurement reporting and management information.
24. Monitor procurement cycle times and identify process improvement opportunities.
25. Support the implementation and optimization of procurement systems and digital procurement initiatives.
26. Identify, deliver, and track cost savings, cost avoidance, and value enhancement opportunities.
27. Support annual procurement savings targets and strategic sourcing initiatives.
28. Contribute towards continuous process improvement and operational efficiency programs across the Bank.

1. Bachelor’s Degree in Procurement & Supply Chain Management, Commerce, Business Administration, Finance, Economics, Law, Engineering, Information Technology, or a related field from a recognized institution.
2. Professional qualification in Procurement and Supply Chain Management.
3. Registered member of the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management (KISM) in good standing.
4. CIPS Level 4 or above (preferred).
5. MCIPS certification will be an added advantage.
6. Additional certification in Contract Management, Supplier Relationship Management, Project Management, Risk Management, or ESG will be an added advantage.
7. Minimum of 4 years’ relevant experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, or supply chain management.
8. Experience within the banking, financial services, telecommunications, insurance, or other highly regulated sectors will be an added advantage.
9. Demonstrated experience managing end-to-end sourcing activities including RFQs, RFPs, tenders, negotiations, and contract management.
10. Proven experience delivering measurable cost savings, cost avoidance, or value creation initiatives.
11. Experience in supplier relationship management and supplier performance monitoring.
12. Working knowledge of procurement governance, audit requirements, and third-party risk management processes.
13. Experience using ERP, e-Procurement, Source-to-Pay (S2P), or Procure-to-Pay (P2P) platforms.
14. Strong technical competencies in Strategic Sourcing, Category Management, Contract Management, Supplier Relationship Management, Commercial Negotiation, Procurement Analytics, Supplier Risk Management, Spend Analysis, Regulatory Compliance, Financial Acumen, and ERP/Procurement Systems.
15. Strong behavioral competencies including Integrity and Professional Ethics, Analytical Skills, Results Orientation, Stakeholder Management, Influencing and Negotiation Skills, Attention to Detail, Business Acumen, Problem Solving, Effective Communication Skills, Collaboration and Teamwork.