Country Procurement Lead

About Zipline   Do you want to change the world? Zipline is on a mission to transform the way goods move. Our aim is to solve the world’s most urgent and complex access challenges by building, manufacturing and operating the first instant delivery and logistics system that serves all humans equally, wherever they are. From powering Rwanda’s national blood delivery network and Ghana’s COVID-19 vaccine distribution, to providing on-demand home delivery for Walmart, to enabling healthcare providers to bring care directly to U.S. homes, we are transforming the way things move for businesses, governments and consumers. The technology is complex but the idea is simple: a teleportation service that delivers what you need, when you need it. Through our technology that includes robotics and autonomy, we are decarbonizing delivery, decreasing road congestion, and reducing fossil fuel consumption and air pollution, while providing equitable access to billions of people and building a more resilient global supply chain. About You and The Role   As the Country Procurement Lead, you will be responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies that ensure the timely, cost-effective, and compliant acquisition of goods and services. Your role bridges operational needs and strategic goals by aligning procurement decisions with business priorities, maintaining strong supplier relationships, and driving cost-saving initiatives without compromising quality or timelines. If you are an organized self-starter who proactively recognizes problems and works collaboratively to solve them, then this could be the role for you! This role will be based in Kigali with regular travel to our distribution centers. What You'll Do   Procurement:  Lead the procurement process required for company operations, including equipment, supplies, and services.  Identify cost-saving opportunities through vendor negotiation, contract management, and strategic sourcing initiatives. Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand procurement needs and develop procurement strategies aligned with business objectives. Ensure compliance with procurement policies and procedures, including vendor selection, evaluation, and contract management. Experience with procurement workflow tools. Vendor Management: Build and maintain relationships with key suppliers and vendors, negotiating contracts and service agreements to ensure competitive pricing and quality standards. Evaluate vendor performance regularly and implement improvement plans as necessary to optimize supplier relationships. Monitor market trends and industry developments to identify potential new suppliers and opportunities for innovation and cost savings. Compliance and Risk Management:   Ensure compliance with regulatory requirements and company policies related to procurement activities.   Identify and mitigate risks associated with procurement processes, implementing appropriate controls and contingency plans.   Collaborate with legal and compliance teams to address any legal or regulatory issues related to procurement. What You'll Bring   At Least 10 years of experience in procurement roles  preferably in logistics or technology industries Strong understanding of procurement best practices, and supply chain processes. Proven ability to manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and drive cost-saving initiatives. Excellent communication, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and collaborate cross-functionally with internal and external stakeholders to achieve business objectives. Strong data gathering and analytics and reporting skills. Ability  to work efficiently with computing systems (Google Suite, Microsoft Office Suite, etc.) Must have legal right to work in Rwanda What Else You Need to Know    Zipline is an equal opportunity employer and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, ancestry, national origin, religion or religious creed, mental or physical disability, medical condition, genetic information, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, military or veteran status, citizenship, or other characteristics protected by state, federal or local law or our other policies.   We value diversity at Zipline and welcome applications from those who are traditionally underrepresented in tech. If you like the sound of this position but are not sure if you are the perfect fit, please apply! Please Note We have received reports stating that certain individuals are reaching out to people under false pretenses, claiming to be Zipline employees, affiliates, agents, or representatives. They may seek to gain access to your personal information or to acquire money from you by offering fictitious employment opportunities or by claiming that they are contacting you on Zipline’s behalf. Genuine Zipline employees or representatives will never ask you for money or payment in exchange for employment opportunities or other related services. Any such offer of employment or any other service in exchange for fees that claims to be from us is deceitful and part of a fraud. If you believe you have been targeted by a fraudulent party, we ask that you immediately get in touch with us via email at security@flyzipline.com upon receiving a suspicious offer or claim.