About Pharo Ventures

Pharo Ventures is the commercial, for-profit arm of Pharo Foundation, established to build commercially and environmentally sustainable businesses across East Africa. By investing in high-potential enterprises, we aim to create jobs, generate inclusive economic growth, and maximize long-term economic value for local communities.

Guided by our vision of an economically vibrant and inclusive Africa, we invest in both human and physical capital to drive sustainable development. Our current focus is on the agribusiness and healthcare sectors, where we complement the Foundation’s development initiatives through commercially viable ventures that deliver lasting social and economic impact. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, Pharo Ventures operates country offices in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, and Hargeisa, Somaliland, supporting its growing portfolio of businesses across East Africa.

Position Summary

The Supply Chain Manager will take a leadership role in executing effective and efficient procurement and supply chain services ensuring values and competencies in maintaining transparency, integrity and compliance with established rules and regulations. Provide leadership for all purchasing, warehouse, logistics and shipping activities with an effort to control costs while also improving efficiency and accuracy in the management of inventory.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

1. Strategic Supply Chain Management

• Develop and implement integrated supply chain strategies aligned with organizational objectives.

• Develop annual procurement and supply chain plans in collaboration with departmental managers.

• Design, improve and implement supply chain policies, procedures, and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) to enhance operational efficiency.

• Analyze procurement, logistics and inventory data to identify bottlenecks, improve performance and reduce costs.

• Monitor key supply chain performance indicators including procurement cycle time, supplier performance, inventory turnover, logistics costs, service levels and cost savings.

• Drive supply chain digitization and continuous process improvement through ERP systems and automation initiatives.

• Proactively identify supply chain risks and implement appropriate mitigation and business continuity plans.

2. Procurement and Strategic Sourcing

• Lead end-to-end procurement activities in accordance with organizational policies and international best practices.

• Lead Tenders (National Competitive Bidding and International Competitive Bidding) processes (Procurement planning, Bid advertisement, Pre-bid meetings, Bid opening, Technical and financial evaluations, Negotiations, Recommendation for award, Contract signing, etc.) ensuring transparency, fairness and compliance.

• Lead the Procurement and Tender Evaluation Committees, coordinate bidder clarifications, presentations, site visits and negotiations.

• Develop category sourcing strategies for strategic procurement categories.

• Conduct supplier negotiations to achieve best value for money, cost savings and long-term partnerships.

• Work closely with requesting departments to prepare clear technical specifications and procurement requirements.

• Prepare Purchase Orders, contract amendments, waivers and procurement approvals ensuring completeness and compliance.

• Prepare procurement reports for management decision-making.

3. Contract Management

• Prepare, negotiate, review and administer procurement contracts including Service Agreements Purchase Agreements and framework agreements.

• Establish Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) for suppliers working with the company.

• Manage contracts throughout their lifecycle including implementation, amendments, renewals, dispute resolution, supplier claims and contract close-out.

• Monitor supplier compliance with contractual obligations.

• Identify, assess and mitigate contractual risks.

4. Supplier Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships.

• Conduct supplier due diligence including background verification and site assessments.

• Develop supplier segmentation strategies and supplier development programmes.

• Conduct supplier performance evaluations using scorecards and regular business reviews.

• Develop corrective action plans with underperforming suppliers.

• Identify alternative suppliers and sourcing strategies to improve business continuity and reduce supply risks.

5. Logistics, Warehousing and Inventory Management

• Coordinate with warehouse and operations teams to maintain optimum inventory levels while minimizing working capital.

• Oversee import and export logistics to ensure timely and cost-effective delivery.

• Manage freight forwarding, customs clearance and transportation activities.

• Analyze shipping performance and logistics costs to improve operational efficiency.

• Coordinate delivery with internal stakeholders.

6. Import and Export Operations

• Manage all import and export activities in compliance with national regulations and organizational policies.

• Prepare and facilitate all import and export documentation and permits.

• Coordinate customs clearance with government authorities, customs agents and freight forwarders.

• Liaise with banks, shipping lines and regulatory agencies for trade documentation.

• Monitor shipment schedules and communicate delivery timelines with receiving locations.

• Track shipments and prepare periodic import/export performance and cost reports.

7. Fleet Management

• Develop and oversee fleet management strategies to ensure the safe, efficient, and cost-effective utilization of company vehicles. 

• Monitor vehicle maintenance schedules, repairs, inspections, insurance, licensing, and regulatory compliance to maximize fleet availability and minimize downtime. 

• Optimize vehicle allocation, routing, fuel consumption, and operating costs through data analysis and continuous improvement initiatives. 

• Ensure compliance with road safety standards, and driver management procedures, including accident investigations and corrective actions. 

• Develop the competency of drivers through regular training, coaching, and awareness programs on defensive driving, road safety, vehicle maintenance, regulatory compliance, and organizational fleet policies to promote safe and efficient fleet operations.

8. Compliance, Governance and Risk Management

• Ensure procurement activities comply with organizational policies, applicable laws, donor requirements and ethical procurement standards.

• Promote transparency, fairness and anti-corruption principles throughout procurement processes.

• Conduct procurement compliance reviews and self-assessments.

• Lead internal and external procurement audits and ensure timely implementation of audit recommendations.

• Maintain complete procurement records for audit purposes.

• Identify procurement process deviations and implement corrective action plans.

• Support continuous improvement initiatives across the supply chain function.

9. Staff Leadership and Development

• Lead, mentor and develop the Supply Chain team to achieve departmental objectives.

• Ensure clear job descriptions, performance objectives and accountability for all team members.

• Recruit, onboard and develop supply chain staff using competency-based approaches.

• Assess competency gaps and prepare annual training and development plans.

• Deliver coaching, mentoring and professional development programmes.

• Foster a high-performance culture through continuous learning and performance management.

• Maintain departmental training records and monitor competency development.