About the role

Head of Procurement / Purchase Head / Chief Procurement Officer (CPO)

The Head of Procurement & Purchasing for a joint Public Transport and Solid Waste Management company is a high-impact executive role responsible for managing massive capital expenditure (CAPEX) and operational expenditure (OPEX). This leader ensures the cost-effective, continuous, and compliant supply of fleet vehicles, specialized machinery, spare parts, and fuel required to keep cities moving and clean.

Job Overview

Position Title	Head of Procurement / Purchase Head / Chief Procurement Officer (CPO)
Department	Supply Chain Management & Procurement
Reports To	Chief Financial Officer (CFO) / Managing Director (MD) / CEO / Vice President
Location	Corporate Office (with frequent vendor and depot site visits)

Core Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Fleet Acquisition (CAPEX)
- Procure heavy machinery: Lead the end-to-end purchasing of public buses, electric vehicles (EVs), waste compactors, hook loaders, and street sweepers.
- Manage high-value tenders: Draft technical specifications, issue RFPs/RFQs, and lead transparent bidding processes.
- Negotiate major contracts: Secure optimal commercial terms, warranty structures, and Annual Maintenance Contracts (AMCs) with global OEMs.
Fuel, Energy & Utilities Management (OPEX)
- Bulk fuel hedging: Establish long-term supply contracts for diesel, Compressed Natural Gas (CNG), or charging infrastructure utilities.
- Monitor volatile markets: Track global oil and energy prices to optimize buying cycles and mitigate budget overruns.
- Drive green procurement: Source sustainable alternatives, eco-friendly lubricants, and renewable energy solutions for transit depots.
Spare Parts & MRO Procurement (Maintenance, Repair & Operations)
- Ensure part availability: Maintain steady supply chains for critical automotive components, tires, hydraulic systems, and engine parts.
- Minimize vehicle downtime: Establish Just-In-Time (JIT) procurement protocols for breakdown maintenance across all regional workshops.
- Standardize cataloging: Implement an efficient parts catalog and inventory tracking system to prevent overstocking or obsolete inventory.
Vendor Management & Compliance
- Audit vendor networks: Vet, onboard, and evaluate global and local suppliers based on quality, reliability, and financial stability.
- Enforce statutory compliance: Ensure all purchasing activities strictly adhere to public procurement guidelines, anti-bribery laws, and environmental norms.
- Manage vendor risk: Diversify critical supply sources to protect the company from geopolitical disruptions or material shortages.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

Procurement Cost Savings: Percentage of cost reduction achieved through negotiations, strategic sourcing, and bulk discounts.
PO Cycle Time: Average time taken from a purchase requisition approval to placing the official purchase order.
Supplier On-Time Delivery: Percentage of orders delivered by vendors within the agreed timeline.
Emergency Procurement Rate: Frequency of urgent, off-contract purchases made to address fleet groundings (target: minimized).
Inventory Turnover Ratio: Efficiency of the inventory lifecycle for spare parts and consumables.

Job Requirements

Education & Certifications

Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Automobile Engineering, Logistics, or Supply Chain Management. An MBA in Supply Chain or Operations is highly preferred.
Professional Certifications: Certifications like CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional) or CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) are a major plus.

Experience

Minimum 10 – 15 years: Solid experience in heavy engineering, logistics, automotive manufacturing, public infrastructure, or waste management procurement.
Leadership Tenure: At least 5 years of experience leading a large procurement team managing multimillion-dollar budgets.

Technical Skills & Competencies

Expertise in public procurement regulations, international trade/logistics, and contract law.
Advanced mastery of ERP systems (like SAP MM, Oracle SCM) and automated e-tendering platforms.
Exceptional analytical, commercial negotiation, and cost-modelling skills.

Procurement Head