Manager, Purchasing

Introduction to the Aga Khan University:

Chartered in 1983, Aga Khan University (AKU) is a private, autonomous and self-governing international university with 13 teaching sites in 6 countries distributed across three continents. As an integral part of the Aga Khan Development Network, AKU provides higher education in several disciplines, carries out research pertinent to the countries in which it exists and has campuses, programmes and/or teaching hospitals in Afghanistan, Kenya, Pakistan, Tanzania, Uganda and the UK. As an international institution, AKU operates on the core principles of quality, relevance, impact and access; and AKU is a model of academic excellence and an agent of social change.

As an equal opportunity employer, AKU believes in promoting a diverse and inclusive culture and is committed to adopt appropriate standards for safeguarding and promoting a respectful relationship with and between diverse workforce of its faculty, staff, trainees, volunteers, beneficiaries, wider communities, and other stakeholders with whom it works, including children and vulnerable adults and expects all employees/trainees and partners to share this commitment.

Job Role / Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Director/ Senior Manager, PSCMD, the Manager Purchasing will be responsible for leading and executing procurement operations for medical, non-medical, and technical goods and services in accordance with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and international standards. You will ensure cost-effective purchasing, supplier relationship management, and compliance while supporting healthcare operations through timely and efficient procurement practices. The role demands strong analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills, along with deep knowledge of healthcare supply chains.

Specifically, you will be responsible to;

Procurement Strategy & Execution: (KPI: Ensure timely and compliant PO issuance within defined SLAs):

• Lead the review and approval of high-value and critical purchase requisitions in line with institutional procurement strategy.
• Oversee sourcing and vendor selection to ensure competitiveness, quality, and long-term value.
• Monitor and guide the end-to-end PO lifecycle to ensure alignment with policies, controls, and user expectations.

Supplier Relationship & Performance Management: (KPI: Achieve supplier service performance targets):

• Build and sustain strategic relationships with key suppliers and partners to ensure continuity of supply and innovation.
• Implement supplier performance evaluation frameworks and lead periodic reviews to drive improvements in cost, quality, delivery, and responsiveness.
• Resolve escalated supplier issues and contractual disputes in coordination with legal and user departments.

Cost Optimization & Strategic Sourcing: (KPI: Achieve annual cost savings targets at category level):

• Lead negotiations for high-value and long-term contracts, focusing on cost reduction, value-added services, and risk mitigation.
• Analyse market intelligence, benchmarking data, and price trends to optimize sourcing strategies and mitigate inflationary pressures.
• Drive initiatives for Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) reduction across key categories.

Governance and Documentation: (KPI: Ensure 100% audit-compliant documentation and system use):

• Oversee accuracy and completeness of procurement documentation, including contracts, approvals, and correspondence.
• Ensure optimal utilization of ERP (e.g., PeopleSoft) for procurement operations, analytics, and contract management.
• Enforce internal controls and segregation of duties to ensure procurement integrity and transparency.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration: (KPI: Maintain >90% internal customer satisfaction score):

• Act as the primary liaison between procurement and internal departments (clinical, technical, finance, warehouse) for critical projects and high-impact purchases.
• Align closely with AKDN’s Group Purchasing Office and global sourcing partners to leverage collective buying power.
• Resolve stakeholder escalations and align procurement priorities with institutional goals.

Policy Compliance & Risk Mitigation: (KPI: Zero major procurement non-compliance findings during audits):

• Ensure that all procurement activities comply with PSCMD, AKU, donor, and legal requirements.
• Oversee the preparation of procurement documentation for internal and external audits.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks related to vendor concentration, regulatory compliance, and market volatility.

Innovation, Sustainability & Quality Improvement: (KPI: Lead or support atleast one strategic or quality improvement project annually):

• Champion procurement-led sustainability initiatives contributing to AKDN’s Net Zero and Scope 3 emission reduction goals.
• Promote adoption of digital tools, AI-based decision-making, and e-sourcing platforms.
• Identify opportunities for vendor consolidation, product standardization, and process automation to improve procurement

Eligibility Criteria / Requirements:

• Master’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field.
• Certification in Supply Chain (e.g., CIPS, CSCP, CPSM) will be an added advantage.
• Min. 5 – 7 years of experience in Procurement or Contracts Management, preferably in hospital environment.
• Proven experience in managing procurement of medical, non-medical, and technical equipment or services.

Advanced Procurement Expertise:

• Strategic Procurement Insight: In-depth knowledge of the full procure-to-pay (P2P) cycle with the ability to optimize workflows, drive cost-efficiencies, and ensure policy compliance across complex categories.
• Category Leadership: Demonstrated expertise in managing diverse procurement categories including clinical (medical/surgical), technical (engineering/IT), and general services, with strong understanding of specifications and industry standards.
• Market Intelligence: Strong grasp of supplier market dynamics, price indices, and sourcing strategies, enabling data-driven procurement planning and risk mitigation.

Leadership & Technical Competencies:

• ERP System Mastery: Proficient in advanced use of ERP systems such as Oracle, SAP, PeopleSoft, etc., for procurement, contract lifecycle management, analytics, and supplier performance tracking.
• MS Office & Analytical Tools: High proficiency in MS Excel, PowerPoint, and data visualization tools for reporting and leadership presentations.
• Analytical Decision-Making: Strong ability to synthesize large datasets including spend analysis, supplier scorecards, and demand forecasts to support strategic procurement decisions.
• Strategic Negotiation: Advanced negotiation skills with a track record of securing best value in complex, high-value, or long-term contracts, while maintaining ethical supplier relationships.
• Team Leadership: Capability to lead and mentor procurement teams, set performance targets, and foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.

Sustainability & Digital Innovation:

• Environmental Sustainability Awareness: Understanding of sustainable procurement principles including supplier sustainability assessments, green purchasing practices, and contribution to Scope 3 emissions reduction aligned with AKDN’s Net Zero goals.
• AI & Digital Transformation Readiness: Familiarity with emerging technologies such as AI, RPA (Robotic Process Automation), and predictive analytics in procurement — with the ability to interpret AI-generated insights to enhance supplier selection, risk forecasting, and demand planning.
• Change Advocacy: Proven ability to drive adoption of digital tools and sustainability initiatives across stakeholders to improve efficiency, transparency, and long-term value creation.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.