Biomass Procurement Manager - Africa
My client, is an investment manager focusing on renewable energy investments in Asia and Africa, managing over $800m in committed capital. Providing energy solutions to commercial and industrial customers. The strategy is customer-led, technology-agnostic, and covers the Middle East and Africa, initially targeting solar PV, battery energy storage, and biomass to steam opportunities.
Opportunity My client, is seeking an experienced Biomass Procurement Manager to oversee the procurement of biomass for my clients bioenergy projects. This role involves biomass supply, processing, testing, costing, and logistics for projects in development.
Job Role / Responsibilities Reporting to the Managing Director, the Biomass Procurement Manager will:
General Responsibilities
- Manage biomass supply, processing, testing, costing, and logistics for development projects.
- Conduct detailed market assessments of available biomass feedstocks considering factors such as source distance, sustainability, calorific value, moisture content, and particle size.
- Establish and implement biomass sourcing strategies based on market assessments.
- Identify, engage with, and conduct due diligence on potential biomass partners and suppliers.
- Draft, negotiate, and execute supply/partnership agreements with identified partners and suppliers.
- Develop market-specific strategies and processes for biomass procurement, storage, processing, transport, and supply.
- Undertake cost-benefit analyses of transportation vs. biomass processing/densification.
- Develop ash disposal strategies and ash off-take agreements and/or CSR activities.
- Identify opportunities to continuously improve sourcing strategies to optimize cost and sustainability objectives.
- With the support of the E&S team, conduct sustainability assessments of my clients biomass procurement strategy.
- Monitor biomass supply cost, sustainability, and quality.
- Track monthly volumes and costs for internal review and reporting.
- Prepare presentations for management and/or board regarding areas of responsibility.
- Over time, manage a team of in-country biomass procurement specialists and/or data researchers/analysts.
Reporting
- Meet clients internal reporting and management requirements using appropriate in-house systems.
- Provide briefings and updates regularly or as required.
Key Skills / Competencies / Experience
- Minimum 7 years of experience managing procurement operations, preferably for biomass.
- Established networks with potential biomass suppliers are a plus.
- Experience in drafting, negotiating, and executing contracts.
- Experience in biomass/energy projects or operations is an advantage.
- Advanced use of Microsoft Office suite.
- Excellent written English (French, Arabic, or other languages spoken in Africa is a plus).
- Good communication and relationship-building skills.
- Enthusiasm and commitment to working in a fast-paced, entrepreneurial environment.
- Good people management skills and ability to work independently.
- Willingness to travel and visit potential biomass suppliers.
- Passion for the decarbonization industry in Africa and contributing to delivering projects.
- Self-starter and proactive, able to work independently.
Qualifications
- University Degree (Engineering, Finance).
- MBA would be an advantage.
Key Words / SEO Biomass Procurement Manager, Renewable Energy, Biomass Supply, Procurement Operations, Energy Projects, Decarbonization, Africa, Middle East, Nairobi.
Closing Statement Our client is dedicated to the search and selection of the world's leading professionals in renewable energy. We specialize in recruiting experts for major infrastructure and build projects across the globe.
For more information on senior finance roles in renewable energy, please contact Niklas Fuhrmann at EWI recruitment. If your profile fits this role and you wish to join our team, please send your CV and motivation letter, clearly stating the job role you are applying for, to: N.Fuhrmann@ewi-group.com
ewi is committed to equality in the workplace and is an equal opportunity employer. ewi is acting as an Employment Business in relation to this vacancy.