Manager - Purchasing @ Aga Khan University

Job Summary

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.

Role and Responsibilities:

Reporting to the Director/ Senior Manager, PSCMD, the Manager, Purchasing will be responsible for leading and executing procurement operations for medical, non-medical, general goods and services in accordance with organizational policies, regulatory requirements, and international standards. The incumbent 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.

Role and Responsiblities:

Procurement Strategy & Execution

• Lead review and approval of high-value and critical purchase requisitions.
• Oversee sourcing and vendor selection for competitiveness and long-term value.
• Monitor PO lifecycle for policy compliance and user alignment.

Supplier Relationship & Performance Management

• Build strategic supplier relationships to ensure continuity and innovation.
• Implement performance frameworks and lead periodic reviews.
• Resolve escalated supplier issues and disputes with stakeholders.

Cost Optimization & Strategic Sourcing

• Lead negotiations for high-value and long-term contracts.
• Use market intelligence to optimize sourcing and mitigate inflation.
• Drive initiatives for Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) reduction.

Governance and Documentation

• Oversee procurement documentation for accuracy and completeness.
• Ensure ERP utilization for procurement, analytics, and contract management.
• Enforce internal controls and segregation of duties.

Stakeholder Engagement and Collaboration

• Act as liaison between procurement and internal departments for critical projects.
• Coordinate with AKDN’s Group Purchasing and global sourcing teams.
• Address escalations and align priorities with institutional goals.

Policy Compliance & Risk Mitigation

• Ensure compliance with PSCMD, AKU, donor, and legal guidelines.
• Prepare documentation for audits.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including vendor concentration and market volatility.

Innovation, Sustainability & Quality Improvement

• Lead sustainability initiatives supporting Net Zero and Scope 3 goals.
• Promote AI, digital tools, and e-sourcing platforms.
• Identify opportunities for vendor consolidation and procurement process improvements.

Required Skills

Skills and Qualification:

• 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 Supply Chain Management, preferably in hospital environment.
• Proven experience in managing procurement of medical, non-medical, pharmaceutical and general supplies and services
• Advanced procurement expertise, strategic sourcing, and contract negotiation.
• Leadership in digital transformation, sustainable procurement, and stakeholder management.

Comprehensive employment reference checks will be conducted.