Procurement Manager

Location: Remote, US or Canada, with occasional travel to Caribbean and US.

Reporting to: Head of Procurement

Role type: Full-time, 1-year fixed-term contract with the potential for renewal

Closing date: Monday 1st July 2024

About ARK

ARK is a social enterprise, empowering local communities through the provision of agile and sustainable interventions to create more excellent stability, opportunity and hope for the future.

We believe that strong, resilient communities are the foundation of local, national, regional and international development and stability – and ultimately a safer, peaceful and more prosperous world. At ARK, we have delivered research and programmatic interventions validating this approach in over twenty countries since 2008. As a social enterprise we work in partnership with communities, our donors, and other implementers to build local capacities, generate opportunity and bring about sustainable change.

Learn more about our impact here: https://www.ark.international/impact

About the Role

ARK is currently supporting the delivery of capacity building for security actors in Haiti and Jamaica, as well as delivering development and stabilization programming through a team based in Haiti. As a Procurement Manager at ARK, you will directly support and enable the project team in Haiti and Jamaica to achieve their objectives while minimizing operational, commercial, and compliance risks. Collaborating closely with the Head of Logistics and Procurement (L&P) and Project Managers, you will implement best procurement practices to drive impactful results by sourcing and supplying goods and services from local, regional, and international suppliers and managing the receipt, storage, movement, and issue of goods.

What you'll be doing

• Collaborate with project teams to ensure all procurement meets internal, external, legal, and ethical conventions, that the purchased goods and services are fit for purpose, and that they represent value for money.
• Identify and resolve potential bottlenecks and issues early to ensure a smooth flow of activity and approvals throughout all stages of the procurement process, ensuring on-time delivery and adherence to project deadlines.
• Manage supplier performance (delivery, quality, service); resolve issues and address disputes and sub-optimal performance.
• Maintain accurate procurement records for audits and reports, ensuring transparency and accountability.
• Issue, manage, and maintain assets and inventory, ensuring checks occur and reports are submitted per the inventory inspection schedule.
• Develop a comprehensive understanding of donor funding regulations and provide guidance, assistance, and training to project colleagues to enhance their proficiency, ensuring adherence to funding requirements and improving overall project procurement execution.

The specific responsibilities listed above may be adjusted or expanded to align with ARK's unique requirements and context.

Requirements

You'll be suited to this position if you're an experienced supply chain professional with extensive knowledge of functional and strategic procurement processes. You will have proven leadership skills, effective management capabilities, and the ability to operate in a dynamic industry.

Skills, knowledge, and experience:

Essential

• Strong organisational skills, with the ability to prioritise and manage multiple tasks and meet deadlines.
• Attention to detail, ability to identify and rectify errors, and maintaining high-quality procurement processes, data analysis, and documentation standards.
• The ability to work effectively in a team environment and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Two years of managerial experience in procurement and supply operations.
• Advanced proficiency in French and English, with exceptional written and verbal communication skills in both languages. Demonstrated ability to draft, edit, and proofread complex contracts, documents, and professional correspondence, ensuring clarity, accuracy, and adherence to relevant style guides.
• Competent MS Office Suite and SharePoint user with strong general IT skills, including databases, cloud services, troubleshooting, and adapting to new technologies.

Desirable

• A degree, or vocational qualifications in supply chain management or a related field of study.
• Experience in a grant-funded organisation with knowledge of Global Affairs Canada, USAID, or similar donor regulations
• Experience in a defence or law enforcement setting is beneficial but not essential.
• Candidates who hold or are pursuing accreditation with the Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply (CIPS), Institute of Supply Management (ISM), or a similar organisation are advantageous.

Benefits

Our People

Our team covers a diverse range of professional backgrounds, from diplomacy, humanitarian, development and the military, to the UN, civil society groups, multilateral organisations, journalism and the private sector.

An ARK Person Is:

Smart: We think deeply about things. We're proud of our institutional knowledge and our grounding in rigorous research, which we use to make informed decisions.

Humble: Our work leaves little room for pride or arrogance. Our operating environment is constantly evolving, and we recognise out limitations. We believe in and rely on the education and experiences of others while remaining quick to read, invite feedback, and ask sensible questions.

Accountable: Each of us want ARK, its partners, and beneficiaries to succeed. This means taking initiative, assuming ownership when necessary and never giving up on our beneficiaries. We are committed and accountable, to both our donors and the communities we serve.

Collegiate: We know we are stronger together and that every contribution counts. We trust each other and always support each other.

Outspoken: We tackle diverse challenges and we always want to find the best solution to a problem. We aren't afraid to share our opinions and we want to hear those of others too.

ARK Group is an equal opportunity employer. We actively seek a diverse applicant pool and encourage candidates of all backgrounds to apply. ARK Group does not discriminate on the basis of ability, age, gender identity or expression, national origin, race and ethnicity, religious beliefs or sexual orientation. We welcome all kinds of diversity. ARK Group places human dignity at the centre of its development and stabilisation work and is this committed to the protection from sexual exploitation and abuse of children and adults. All ARK Group employees and related personnel are expected to share this commitment and only those who also uphold these values will be recruited as part of our team. This vacancy is therefore subject to a range of due diligence checks.