Procurement Manager

In partnership with our client, we are seeking a Procurement Manager to own the sourcing, procurement, and inventory management of raw materials for a state-of-the-art commercial feed mill in Imo State. You will bring on-ground experience, established supplier relationships, and a sharp commercial instinct to ensure the mill is consistently supplied with the right materials at the right quality and the most competitive cost. This is a plug-and-play role for someone who can execute from day one. If you know where to source, how to negotiate, and how to protect margins through smarter procurement, we want to meet you.

Who are we looking for?

• You are an experienced procurement professional with hands-on sourcing experience at a top-tier feed mill company such as Olam, Premier Feeds, Hybrid, or a comparable industry leader.
• You are deeply familiar with the raw materials that go into feed production, including maize, soya, limestone, and other key inputs, and you know where to source them efficiently, reliably, and at competitive cost.
• You are commercially sharp and an effective negotiator, consistently able to secure favourable terms without compromising quality or supply reliability.
• You are execution-focused and immediately deployable, someone who does not need time to figure out the landscape but can start delivering results from the moment you walk in.
• You are organised and systems-oriented, comfortable managing inventory levels, purchase orders, supplier relationships, and procurement records with accuracy and discipline.
• You are proactive and risk-aware, anticipating supply challenges before they become disruptions and always having a contingency in place.

Your Responsibilities…

Raw Material Sourcing and Procurement

• You will own the end-to-end procurement of all raw materials required for feed production, ensuring a consistent and uninterrupted supply that keeps the mill running at optimal capacity.
• You will leverage your existing supplier relationships and market knowledge to source raw materials at the most competitive cost without compromising on quality or delivery reliability.
• You will conduct supplier evaluations, negotiate contracts and pricing, and manage supplier performance to ensure all procurement partners consistently meet the required standards.
• You will monitor commodity market trends and price movements, advising the General Manager on timing and volume decisions that protect the mill's input costs and margins.

Inventory Management and Control

• You will manage raw material inventory levels, ensuring stock is always sufficient to meet production schedules without excess that ties up working capital or risks spoilage.
• You will implement and maintain robust inventory tracking systems, ensuring accurate records of stock movements, receipts, and usage across the mill's raw material stores.
• You will conduct regular stock reconciliations, identifying and resolving discrepancies promptly and maintaining the integrity of inventory data at all times.
• You will work closely with the production team to align procurement planning with production schedules, minimising both stock-outs and overstock situations.

Supplier Relationship and Compliance Management

• You will build and maintain strong, long-term relationships with key raw material suppliers, creating a reliable and competitive supply base that the mill can depend on as it grows.
• You will ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, quality standards, and any relevant regulatory requirements.
• You will identify and develop alternative suppliers for critical raw materials, ensuring the mill is never dependent on a single source for any key input.

Reporting and Commercial Contribution

• You will provide regular procurement performance reports to the General Manager, covering cost variances, supply status, market trends, and any risks or opportunities on the horizon.
• You will contribute actively to cost reduction initiatives, bringing ideas and insights from your market experience that help protect and improve the feed mill's input cost position.

What Success looks like…

• Uninterrupted raw material supply maintained at all times, with production schedules never delayed due to procurement gaps or stock shortages.
• Raw material costs consistently at or below market benchmark, with procurement savings and favourable contract terms contributing directly to feed margin improvement.
• Inventory accuracy maintained at a high level with clean stock records, timely reconciliations, and no material losses attributable to procurement or inventory management failures.
• A strong and reliable supplier base with multiple sourcing options for all critical inputs, reducing supply risk and giving the mill commercial leverage in negotiations.

To be considered for this role you should have…

• A Bachelor's degree in Agriculture, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• A minimum of 7 to 10 years of hands-on procurement experience, with at least 4 years specifically within a reputable feed mill company such as Olam, Premier Feeds, Hybrid, or a comparable industry leader.
• Deep knowledge of feed raw material sourcing, including key commodities, supplier networks, and market dynamics across Nigeria.
• Strong negotiation skills with a track record of securing competitive pricing and favourable terms without compromising supply reliability or quality.
• Solid inventory management experience with the ability to maintain accurate records and manage stock levels efficiently in a production environment.
• A self-starting, execution-focused working style with the ability to deliver results immediately without a lengthy ramp-up period.
• Proficiency in procurement and inventory management tools including Excel and relevant ERP or stock management systems.

Challenges you may face in this role…

• Managing raw material supply in a commodity market where prices fluctuate significantly and supply reliability can vary across seasons and regions.
• Sourcing consistently high-quality inputs at competitive cost in a market where supplier quality and pricing practices are not always transparent or standardised.
• Balancing the need for adequate safety stock to protect production continuity against the cost and spoilage risks of holding too much inventory at any one time.
• Establishing a new and credible supplier network quickly in a business that is in its early stages, where the volume commitments needed to attract the best terms are still being built.

The Goodies…

• Competitive salary and benefits package.
• A high-ownership procurement role at the foundation of a growing and ambitious integrated feed mill and poultry operation.
• The opportunity to bring your expertise and market relationships to a business where your sourcing decisions have direct and visible impact on the quality and profitability of the product.
• A results-driven environment where procurement excellence is recognised as a strategic commercial function, not just a support role.