Senior Specialist, Procurement

Job description

At First Quantum, we free the talent of our people by taking a very different approach which is underpinned by a very different, very definite culture – the “First Quantum Way”.

Working with us is not like working anywhere else, which is why we recruit people who will take a bolder, smarter approach to spot opportunities, solve problems and deliver results.

Our culture is all about encouraging you to think independently and to challenge convention to deliver the best result. That’s how we continue to achieve extraordinary things in extraordinary locations.

Job description:

Overall job purpose

Lead the sourcing and procurement team in delivering timely, commercially sound and compliant supply of stock, non-stock and critical operating requirements for fixed plant operations. Coordinate sourcing, negotiations, order execution and supplier performance to protect operational continuity, achieve value for money and support working capital objectives.

Support the Superintendent Procurement with team leadership, commercial analysis, stakeholder engagement and escalation of supply risks. Work closely with Process, Engineering, Inventory, Warehouse, Logistics, Contracts and Finance so that procurement decisions reflect operational priorities and approved controls.

Scope and authority

Manage assigned purchasing activities and team workloads within approved budgets, procurement procedures and delegated authority. Prepare recommendations and escalate commitments requiring higher approval. Technical acceptance remains with the authorized end user; contract changes and commitments follow the applicable approval process.

Specific Job Responsibility:

Sourcing and commercial negotiations

• Lead sourcing for fixed plant spares, reagents, grinding media and operating consumables, aligning requirements with end users.
• Evaluate total cost, technical compliance, delivery and supply risk; negotiate terms and document award recommendations, sourcing justifications and savings.

Order execution and supply continuity

• Ensure accurate, approved purchase orders, timely supplier acknowledgements and effective management of RFQ and order backlogs. viewed:
• Expedite critical supplies, monitor stock cover and delivery commitments, and escalate shortages with clear recovery actions.

Inventory and working capital

• Review replenishment requirements with Inventory to prevent duplicate purchasing, support appropriate min/max levels and balance availability with working capital.
• Coordinate consignment, VMI and phased supply arrangements, managing replenishment, ageing stock and commitments during trials, shutdowns and demand changes.

Supplier performance and stakeholder engagement

• Lead supplier performance reviews, agree corrective actions and resolve delivery, quality and commercial issues.
• Maintain alignment with end users and support teams on forecasts, priorities, technical requirements and supplier commitments.

Contracts and procurement controls

• Support the establishment, implementation and renewal of supply agreements, FPAs and stocking arrangements with Contracts and Legal.
• Validate pricing and additional charges against agreed terms, maintain auditable records and ensure compliance with delegated authority, approval requirements and segregation of duties.

Team leadership and development

• Allocate workloads, coach team members, set objectives and manage performance to deliver procurement priorities.
• Maintain effective handovers and team cover and support the Superintendent through formally delegated responsibilities.

Systems reporting and improvement

• Use Pronto and Excel to analyze spend, monitor procurement performance and provide accurate reporting on backlogs, commitments and supply risks.
• Resolve system and data issues with relevant teams, improve procurement processes and close assigned audit actions.

Health safety environment and ethics

• Apply FQM safety and environmental requirements to procurement activities and ensure suppliers provide required quality and safety documentation.
• Maintain confidentiality, ethical conduct and professional supplier relationships, and perform other reasonable duties within the role’s competence and authority.
• Any other tasks as may be delegated upon by the supervisor.

Key Job Attributes:

Competencies and attributes

• Strong commercial judgement, negotiation and numerical analysis; disciplined planningand follow-through; clear written and verbal communication; sound understanding ofinventory and logistics interfaces; practical problem-solving under pressure; effectivecoaching and conflict resolution; integrity, accountability and a strong serviceorientation. Able to visit suppliers and other sites when required.

Performance measures

Targets are agreed with the Superintendent and reviewed against operational priorities.Measures should include:

• RFQ turnaround, PO processing time and ageing of outstanding actions.
• Supplier delivery performance, critical overdue orders and timely escalation of supplyrisks.• Accuracy and compliance of evaluations, POs and supporting records; closure of auditactions.
• Verified savings and cost avoidance, with agreed baselines and total-cost comparisons.
• Replenishment performance under stocking agreements and reduction of avoidable excess commitments.
• Team performance, development, stakeholder service and completion of correctiveactions.

Experience required to perform in this job:

• At least five years of relevant procurement and sourcing experience, preferably in mining, mineral processing or a comparable industrial operation, including at least two years leading or supervising a procurement team.
• Demonstrated experience in commercial negotiations, supplier performance, criticalspares and consumables, contract implementation and management of urgent supplyrequirements.• Practical experience with ERP purchasing and inventory processes, preferably Pronto,and strong Excel analysis and management reporting skills. Experience withconsignment or VMI is an advantage.

Qualifications:

• Degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, Law, Engineering or a related discipline.
• CIPS studies commenced or an equivalent relevant professional qualification; completed CIPS qualifications are an advantage.
• Current membership of the Zambia Institute of Purchasing and Supply (ZIPS), withprofessional standing maintained as required for the role.

Key relationships

• Internal: Process, Engineering and Maintenance, Inventory, Warehouse and Receiving, Logistics, Contracts, Finance and ERP support.
• External: suppliers, OEMs, service providers and freight partners, coordinated throughthe relevant functions.