SENIOR PURCHASING OFFICER

Location: Monrovia, Liberia

Position Status: Full-time

Salary Level: (6)

About Mercy Corps

Mercy Corps is powered by the belief that a better world is possible. To do this, we know our teams do their best work when they are diverse and every team member feels that they belong. We welcome diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be stronger and have a long-term impact.

The Program / Department / Team (Program / Department Summary)

Mercy Corps has been present in Liberia since 2003, focusing its interventions on Youth Employment and Empowerment, Food Security, WASH, and Governance. With funding from EU, AFD, USDA, And USAID, Mercy Corps has been able to work together with communities in Liberia to respond to these priorities/ needs bringing benefit to thousand of Liberians;

Operations Department provides key support to the entire Liberia program in procurement, asset management, warehouse management, fleet management, and facilities & office management for successful program implementation.

The Position (General Position Summary)

The Senior Purchasing Officer is responsible for overseeing and managing the procurement activities of an organization. They play a crucial role in ensuring the efficient and cost-effective acquisition of goods and services necessary for the organization’s operations. The Senior Purchasing Officer provides strategic guidance, establishes procurement policies and procedures, and collaborates with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to optimize the procurement process.

Essential Responsibilities (Example Section Below – Adapt to Specific Role) ● The Procurement will conduct himself/herself both professionally and personally in such a manner as to bring credit to Mercy Corps and not jeopardize its humanitarian mission.

• Procurement Strategy: Develop and implement a comprehensive procurement strategy aligned with the program’s goals and objectives. Ensure procurement activities support cost savings, quality improvements, and timely delivery of goods and services.
• Supplier Management: Identity, evaluate, and select suppliers based on their capabilities, reliability, and pricing. Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier performance to ensure optimal service levels and value for the organization.
• 3. Procurement Process: Oversee the end-to-end procurement process, including requisition processing, supplier sourcing, bid evaluation, contract negotiation, and purchase order management. Implement best practices, streamline procedures, and ensure compliance with procurement policies and regulations.
• 4. Budgeting and Cost Control: Collaborate with finance and budgeting teams to develop procurement budgets and monitor expenditures. Implement cost control measures, analyze spending patterns, and identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements.
• 5. Risk Management: Identify and mitigate procurement risks, such as supply chain disruptions, price fluctuations, or supplier non-compliance. Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies to minimize risks and ensure continuity of supply.
• 6. Collaboration and Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate with internal stakeholders, including department heads and project managers, to understand their procurement needs and provide timely and effective support. Engage in cross-functional teams and contribute to strategic decision-making processes.
• 7. Contract Management: Review and negotiate contracts, ensuring favorable terms and conditions for the organization. Monitor contract performance, resolve any disputes or issues, and ensure compliance with contractual obligations.
• 8. Market Research: Stay updated on market trends, industry developments, and emerging technologies to inform procurement decisions and identify opportunities for innovation and process improvements.

TEAM MANAGEMENT

• Create and sustain a work environment of mutual respect where team members strive to achieve excellence.
• Promote accountability, communicate expectations, and provide constructive feedback via regular performance reviews.
• Supervise, hire, and orient new team members as necessary.
• Provide team members with information, tools, and other resources to improve performance and reach objectives.
• Contribute to country team-building efforts, help team members identify problem-solving options, and ensure the integration of all team members into relevant decision-making processes.

Supervisory Responsibility

Directly supervises the Procurement Officers and Procurement Assistants.

Accountability

Reports Directly To: Operations Director/Manager

Accountability to Participants and Stakeholders

Mercy Corps team members are expected to support all efforts toward accountability, specifically to our program participants, community partners, other stakeholders, and to international standards guiding

international relief and development work. We are committed to actively engaging communities as equal partners in the design, monitoring and evaluation of our field projects.

Minimum Qualification & Transferable Skills

• A degree in a relevant business field or professional procurement qualification is desired.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in procurement management at a large scale.
• Strong organizational skills; ability to interact effectively with international and national personnel.
• Excellent oral and written English skills.
• High level of computer skills in MS Office programs.
• A demonstrated ability to multi-task and process information into action to not delay program activities.
• A clear understanding of procurement ethics and donor compliance is essential.

Success Factors

The successful SPO will be good at problem-solving and working out methods to deliver successful programs while demonstrating excellent stewardship of donor funds and compliance with Mercy Corps and donor regulations. They will maintain strong cooperative relationships with other departments and interact effectively with international and national personnel both in a managerial and training capacity while demonstrating the ability to multi-task, meet deadlines, and process information in support of changing program activities. The most successful Mercy Corps staff members have a solid commitment to teamwork and accountability, thrive in evolving and changing environments and make effective written and verbal communication a priority in all situations.

Ongoing Learning

In support of our belief that learning organizations are more effective, efficient and relevant to the communities we serve, we empower all team members to dedicate 5% of their time to learning activities that further their personal and/or professional growth and development

Living Conditions / Environmental Conditions

The position is based in Monrovia, Liberia, and it requires up to 40% travel to support country programs, which may include travel to rural locations where freedom of movement is limited and areas where amenities are limited.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

Achieving our mission begins with how we build our team and work together. Through our commitment to enriching our organization with people of different origins, beliefs, backgrounds, and ways of thinking, we are better able to leverage the collective power of our teams and solve the world’s most complex challenges. We strive for a culture of trust and respect, where everyone contributes their perspectives and authentic selves, reaches their potential as individuals and teams, and collaborates to do the best work of their lives.

We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a journey, and we are committed to learning, listening, and evolving to become more diverse, equitable, and inclusive than we are today.

Equal Employment Opportunity

Mercy Corps is an equal-opportunity employer that does not tolerate discrimination on any basis. We actively seek out diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and skills so that we can be collectively stronger and have a sustained global impact.

We are committed to providing an environment of respect and psychological safety where equal employment opportunities are available to all. We do not engage in or tolerate discrimination based on race, color, gender identity, gender expression, religion, age, sexual orientation, national or ethnic origin, disability (including HIV/AIDS status), marital status, military veteran status, or any other protected group in the locations where we work.

Safeguarding & Ethics

Mercy Corps is committed to ensuring that all individuals we come into contact with through our work, whether team members, community members, program participants, or others, are treated with respect and dignity. We are committed to the core principles regarding the prevention of sexual exploitation and abuse laid out by the UN Secretary-General and IASC and have signed on to the Interagency Misconduct Disclosure Scheme. We will not tolerate child abuse, sexual exploitation, abuse, or harassment by or of our team members. As part of our commitment to a safe and inclusive work environment, team members are expected to conduct themselves professionally, respect local laws and customs, and adhere to Mercy Corps Code of Conduct Policies and values at all times. Team members are required to complete mandatory Code of Conduct eLearning courses upon hire and on an annual basis.