Sourcing Manager (IT, Devices) & Cost Analyst

About Airtel Africa

Airtel Africa describes itself as a fast-moving, entrepreneurial workplace built around energy, passion, and a strong bias for action. The organization values innovation, embraces diversity, and focuses on delivering practical solutions that improve the lives of the communities it serves. It also offers the chance to grow a career across its operating companies in Africa.

The company states that it is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to diversity and inclusion at work.

Role Overview

This position is responsible for strategically sourcing, managing, and tracking procurement of IT equipment, commercial inventory, and related materials and services. The aim is to secure the right price, quantity, lead time, and quality from the most suitable vendor, while keeping total cost of ownership in mind and supporting better service delivery to customers. The role also drives end-to-end cost analysis, visibility, and efficiency across the business.

Key Responsibilities

The role covers procurement of IT solutions, hardware, devices, SIM cards, and services, including both CAPEX and OPEX categories, as well as managed services and annual maintenance contracts.

• Prepare and issue RFI, RFQ, and RFP documents for renewals of BPA and rate contracts covering IT solutions, services, devices, and infrastructure equipment required across Airtel Networks Limited in Nigeria.
• Review proposal responses, negotiate pricing and delivery timelines, and support allocation of business shares along with required management approvals.
• Release quarterly OPEX purchase orders before the start of each quarter.
• Carry out overall spend analysis, cost-risk assessment, and forecasting for cost efficiency initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to reduce cost and work with internal teams to design and run the cost-efficiency program.
• Participate in operational and governance meetings and provide detailed analysis and management reports.
• Handle contract creation and management for new vendors and ensure existing contracts are renewed on time before expiry.
• Award and monitor rate contracts for IT equipment and services, ensuring controlled usage of those contracts.
• Source and develop new vendors, and conduct periodic partner performance reviews and SLA monitoring for passive vendors.
• Develop savings initiatives and work with user groups to implement OPEX optimization through timely purchase order release, contract renewal, and payment processing.
• Support initiatives to reduce diesel purchase costs and lower diesel consumption through working OPEX devices.
• Manage the user group and purchase order creation team so that purchase requisitions are raised correctly.
• Create purchase orders and ensure PR and PO approvals are completed in a timely manner.
• Prepare monthly reports to support book closure.
• Improve internal audit outcomes by ensuring compliance with sourcing processes.
• Support the Head of Sourcing in identifying gaps in the internal control environment and taking corrective action where needed.

Qualifications and Experience

The role requires a bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Business, Science, Social Science, or a related field. A Master of Business Administration is also listed, along with membership in the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply Chain.

Candidates should have at least 8 years of proven experience in sourcing or procurement management, preferably within the technology sector or IT procurement.

Skills and Attributes

The role calls for strong ethical standards, good analytical ability, effective interpersonal and communication skills, integrity, and a strong drive for results.