Purchaser Engineer

Purpose

The purchaser Engineer manages procurement for a specific category of technical products (e.g. for water and habitat activities) in accordance with ICRC rules and regulations.

Internally, interacts within the procurement team, other logistics staff and staff in Units that request purchases.

Externally, interacts with a professional network of contacts in the region, e.g. suppliers and other companies, humanitarian organizations, trade-support institutions, etc.

Minimum required knowledge & experience:

Minimum 3 years of overall professional experience in a technical/engineering field in the private sector.

Minimum 5 years of professional experience in procurement.

Experience in project cost estimation within an engineering company’s planning department is an asset.

Microsoft Office Suite, ERP

Experience with JD Edwards (JDE) is an asset.

Advanced knowledge of MS Excel is an asset.

English and Arabic (working proficiency in writing and speaking) (French is a plus)

Proven communication skills allowing to explain technical matters in simple words and fostering understanding among internal customers

Proven self- and time-management skills

Demonstrated successful collaboration in multi-disciplinary teams

Demonstrated experience in contract negotiation

In-depth knowledge of order management and tender processes

Benchmarking experience and knowledge of lifecycle cost analysis

Demonstrated experience in supplier management and contract management, including FIDIC terms

Credible motivation by humanitarian values

Certifications / Education required

BSc in electro-mechanical, electrical, environmental engineering, or related technical field. Degree in supply chain management or procurement. 

Main Responsibilities:

Under the supervision of the Procurement Country Manager, following are the main responsibilities of the Purchaser Engineer:

Implements the ICRC's strategic orientations for purchasing by translating them into operational planning and activities, with an emphasis on quality, social and environmental (QSE) requirements, under the supervision of Country Procurement Manager.

Monitors the availability of goods and services in the regional market, develops and maintains the supplier panel database and filing (for registered and prospective suppliers), negotiates contracts with suppliers, and monitors deliveries to ensure that they comply with contracts.

Takes part in preparing collaborative demand planning meetings and integrates the resulting decisions into the purchase plan.

Negotiates purchase conditions and purchases the goods and services requested.

Processes specific purchase orders and establishes contracts with suppliers; ensures that related information is made available in the local database or filing system (product specifications, delivery and payment terms, and penalties).

Takes part in creating a regional network of buyers for their product category within other organizations.
 
Assumes responsibility for all aspects of procurement for WatHab (Water and Habitat) Lebanon in coordination with other WatHab Purchaser(s) and the wider procurement team, ensuring compliance with the delegation’s Rules on Financial Management and ICRC Procurement Guidelines. In particular,

Support and advise WatHab Project Managers along early phases of the project cycle on aspects related to procurement, contributing to realistic end-to-end planning of WatHab activities;

Support WatHab Project Managers in the drafting of technical project documentation, providing early feedback on documents (e.g. BoQ, Technical Specifications) from a procurement perspective;

Draft and launch Requests for Quotation/Tender (RfQ/T), collect offers, and share timely with WatHab Project Managers as required;

Support clarification meetings and/or site visits for bidders as required and in close collaboration with the WatHab Project Manager, and ensure transparent and efficient information flow between bidders and WatHab Project Manager during the RfQ/T process;

Lead negotiations with bidders/suppliers/contractors in close coordination and agreement with the WatHab Project Manager;

Ensure reliable information flow between Beirut and other Logistics colleagues as relevant, particularly in Amman and Geneva;

Monitor market prices and keep price lists for benchmarking of critical and/or regularly required items;
 
Additional Responsibilities

Contributes to the analysis of the security, socio-economic, cultural and political environment when relevant to the ICRC and shares relevant strategic and operational considerations timely with relevant colleagues;

Reports events and changes within the region that could have an impact on ICRC's activities and hence provides sound elements to the delegation that allow to establish and/or adapt strategic objectives and priorities