Transport and LogisticsFull-TimeMid-level(3-5 yrs)
Job Description
Role Purpose
To own the end-to-end international procurement and freight lifecycle. You will be fully accountable for global supplier sourcing, international shipping coordination, local customs clearing, and securing critical tax/duty exemptions from government regulatory bodies (EPRA, KRA, and National Treasury), ensuring all cargo is delivered safely, legally, and cost-effectively to the warehouse.
Key Responsibilities
Global Sourcing & Supplier Management
Actively research, identify, and vet reliable international manufacturers and suppliers for solar panels, inverters, water pumps, batteries, and balance-of-system components.
Negotiate competitive pricing, favorable payment terms, warranties, and shipping terms (Incoterms) with international vendors.
Initiate, track, and manage international purchase orders (POs), ensuring technical specifications align with engineering team requirements.
Import Compliance & Regulatory Approvals
Lead the process of securing technical and import approvals and solar equipment exemptions from the Energy and Petroleum Regulatory Authority (EPRA).
Formulate, submit, and track duty/VAT exemption applications through the National Treasury and Ministry of Energy for renewable energy projects.
Timely initiate and process Import Declaration Forms (IDFs) via the Kentrade system to prevent shipping delays.
Ensure absolute compliance with all Kenya Revenue Authority (KRA) customs regulations, harmonized system (HS) codes, and tariff classifications.
International Freight & Forwarding Coordination
Manage relationships with international sea and air freight forwarders, optimizing shipping routes, consolidating cargo where possible, and minimizing transit times.
Verify and compile all critical import documentation, including Bills of Lading (B/L), Air Waybills (AWB), Commercial Invoices, Packing Lists, and Certificates of Conformity (CoC) via PVOC partners like SGS, Bureau Veritas, or Intertek.
Local Clearing, Transport & Warehouse Delivery
Direct and monitor the activities of contracted local clearing and forwarding agents at the Port of Mombasa and ICD Embakasi to ensure rapid cargo clearance (minimizing demurrage and storage charges).
Coordinate reliable local transportation companies to safely move cleared cargo from the port/depot directly to the central Nairobi warehouse.
Oversee the offloading process at the warehouse, ensuring physical inventory matches the commercial packing lists, and document any damages or discrepancies for insurance claims.
Qualification and Experience
Education
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Logistics, International Trade, or a related field.
Professional certifications (e.g., CIPS, KISM) are highly desirable.
Experience
Minimum of 4–6 years of direct experience in international procurement and clearing in Kenya.
Direct experience importing solar energy equipment, electrical hardware, or technical engineering components is a massive advantage.
System Proficiency
Hands-on experience with the Single Window System (Kentrade), iCMS (KRA), and enterprise resource planning software (experience with Zoho Inventory/Zoho Creator or similar ERPs is highly valued).
Key Competencies
Proven track record of successfully navigating and securing clearances from EPRA, KRA, and the National Treasury.
In-depth knowledge of international shipping laws, Incoterms (2020), marine cargo insurance, and freight rate structuring.
Resilience to unblock shipping bottlenecks at the port or with customs officers proactively.
Ability to manage dozens of shipping files simultaneously without losing track of crucial dates, documents, or exemption certificates.
