Head of Procurement

Role Overview

RwandAir Ltd is seeking a Head of Procurement to steer the organisation’s procurement function and align it with the airline’s transformation, expansion, and operational performance goals. This position is responsible for shaping procurement strategy, strengthening governance, and ensuring value-driven sourcing across the business.

Key Responsibilities

• Create and implement a procurement strategy that supports business growth, operational excellence, and long-term transformation goals.
• Put in place strong policies, controls, and governance measures to keep procurement transparent, ethical, and ready for audit review.
• Lead strategic sourcing work to secure best value, build durable supplier partnerships, and reduce total cost of ownership.
• Support executive leadership and the Board with insight on procurement risks, trends, and opportunities that affect business sustainability.
• Oversee the full procurement cycle, including tendering, supplier evaluation, negotiation of contracts, and supplier performance management.
• Shape and negotiate complex supplier agreements that reflect programme requirements and operational objectives.
• Apply category management and spend analysis methods to improve sourcing decisions and rationalise suppliers.
• Ensure procurement activities meet national and international regulations, with special attention to aviation safety and technical sourcing requirements.
• Drive digitisation of procurement processes and integration with ERP systems to improve efficiency and visibility.
• Manage high-value and strategic agreements, making sure terms are favourable and risks are properly controlled.
• Develop strong supplier partnerships that support performance improvement, innovation, and cost reduction.
• Track supplier performance through scorecards, service-level monitoring, and audits.
• Maintain procurement governance and internal controls to reduce fraud exposure and regulatory risk.
• Uphold ethical procurement standards and ensure adherence to RwandAir’s financial and procurement policies.
• Contribute to audit and regulatory reviews and carry out corrective actions where required.
• Ensure procurement operations remain fully aligned with applicable rules, regulations, policies, and strategies.
• Set up and maintain a supplier database and support transparent, cost-efficient bid collection practices.
• Keep the Procurement Monitoring Plan current and communicated to relevant stakeholders.
• Carry out other department-related duties assigned by the Head of Department.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a closely related field; a Master’s degree or professional certification such as CIPS or CPSM is preferred.
• At least 10 years of progressive procurement experience, including 3 or more years in a leadership role.
• PMP and Six Sigma qualifications will be considered advantageous.
• Experience in aviation, transport, or multinational environments will be an added benefit.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-moving airline setting and lead strategic initiatives effectively.
• Strong strategic mindset and commercial negotiation capability.
• Solid knowledge of public procurement legislation, contract law, and vendor governance.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills.
• Good command of ERP procurement tools such as Oracle, SAP, or similar systems.
• Strong ethical judgement and risk awareness.
• Strong analytical and reporting ability.
• Strong focus on compliance and internal controls.
• Effective people management and stakeholder communication skills.
• High level of integrity and professionalism.
• Confident leadership style with the ability to work collaboratively.
• Strong mentoring and coaching capability.
• Ability to delegate work, set direction, and manage workflow.
• Ability to train and build the capability of team members.
• Ability to encourage teamwork across the department.
• Excellent English communication skills.

Additional Information

This role involves responsibility for procurement governance, supplier oversight, regulatory compliance, and continuous improvement of procurement systems and controls within the organisation.

All procurement-related duties must be performed in line with the organisation’s existing rules, policies, strategies, and regulatory obligations.

The procurement monitoring plan should be regularly updated and shared with the relevant stakeholders.