We are looking for a procurement professional with strong industry relationships and a proven ability to negotiate directly with FMCG manufacturers, brand owners, importers and authorized distributors.
The successful candidate must know the Nigerian FMCG market, understand how manufacturer and distributor pricing works, and be able to identify products that can generate high sales volumes and attractive margins.
This is not a routine purchasing role. We need someone who can build a competitive sourcing advantage for Confidence Tradefair.
Key Responsibilities
Manufacturer & Supplier Relationships
- Build and maintain strong commercial relationships with major FMCG manufacturers and brand owners in Nigeria.
- Establish direct supply relationships with companies such as Nigerian Bottling Company, Nigerian Breweries, Guinness Nigeria, Nestlé Nigeria, Unilever Nigeria, PZ Cussons, Flour Mills of Nigeria, Dangote, BUA and other relevant manufacturers.
- Identify the appropriate distributor, key account, wholesale or commercial sales contacts within each company.
- Negotiate manufacturer pricing, volume discounts, rebates, promotional support, credit terms and other commercial benefits.
- Secure authorised supply agreements wherever direct manufacturer supply is not available.
- Develop relationships with importers and master distributors to obtain competitive wholesale prices.
Strategic Procurement & Cost Reduction
- Develop a sourcing strategy that enables Confidence Tradefair to purchase products at the lowest commercially viable cost.
- Obtain and compare quotations from manufacturers, authorised distributors, wholesalers and importers.
- Negotiate prices that support our objective of selling selected products below prevailing retail prices.
- Identify volume-purchasing opportunities, seasonal promotions, factory clearances and special commercial deals.
- Maintain a supplier database containing product prices, minimum order quantities, payment terms, lead times and contact information.
- Monitor market prices and identify opportunities to improve gross margins without compromising quality.
Product Selection & Category Development
- Identify the fastest-moving FMCG products in Nigeria, particularly products purchased regularly by households, retailers, restaurants, bars, hotels and food vendors.
- Recommend the initial product assortment and determine which products deserve the largest purchasing budgets.
- Evaluate sales potential, gross margins, stock turnover, shelf life, storage requirements and working-capital requirements before recommending purchases.
- Identify products that customers currently buy at high retail prices but that Confidence Tradefair could supply more affordably.
- Develop category strategies for beverages, packaged foods, cooking ingredients, toiletries, detergents, tissue products, frozen foods, meat, fish and other essential goods.
- Work with management to determine which products should be sourced locally and which should be imported.
International Sourcing & Importation
- Identify reliable manufacturers and exporters in markets such as China, India, Turkey, Egypt, South Africa and other suitable sourcing countries.
- Identify products that can be imported at a lower total landed cost than comparable Nigerian wholesale prices.
- Obtain supplier quotations, verify manufacturers, negotiate minimum order quantities and assess product quality.
- Calculate total landed cost, including foreign exchange, freight, insurance, duties, clearing, regulatory approvals, warehousing and local distribution.
- Coordinate with qualified clearing agents and relevant regulatory professionals to ensure compliant importation.
- Avoid products whose import costs, regulatory restrictions, shelf life or foreign exchange exposure make them commercially unattractive.
Procurement Planning & Supplier Management
- Prepare purchasing plans based on demand forecasts, stock movement and available working capital.
- Ensure adequate stock of priority products without tying up excessive funds in slow-moving inventory.
- Maintain accurate purchase orders, supplier contracts, invoices and procurement records.
- Track supplier performance, delivery timelines, product quality and pricing changes.
- Work closely with warehouse, sales, finance and inventory teams to ensure efficient replenishment.
- Develop alternative suppliers for critical products to minimise stock-outs and supply disruptions.
Candidate Requirements
- Minimum of 7 years' relevant experience in FMCG procurement, strategic sourcing, commercial buying or wholesale distribution.
- Demonstrable experience working with major FMCG manufacturers, authorised distributors or large retail and wholesale organisations.
- Strong, verifiable relationships with decision-makers in FMCG sales, key accounts, trade marketing, distribution and commercial departments.
- Evidence of successfully negotiating competitive prices, volume rebates, credit terms or direct supply arrangements.
- Practical knowledge of Nigerian FMCG distribution networks and wholesale pricing structures.
- Experience sourcing imported consumer goods and calculating landed costs.
- Strong negotiation, analytical, financial and commercial skills.
- Proficiency in Excel and procurement or inventory management systems.
- A degree or HND in Purchasing and Supply, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, Economics or a related discipline is preferred. Relevant professional certifications are an advantage.
What Success Looks Like
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Establish direct or manufacturer-authorised supply arrangements with major FMCG brands.
- Deliver measurable purchasing-cost advantages against comparable wholesale market prices.
- Identify high-volume products that can attract customers and increase warehouse sales.
- Develop a profitable product assortment based on demand, stock turnover and contribution margin.
- Identify viable import opportunities supported by documented landed-cost comparisons.
- Maintain strong supplier relationships while ensuring transparent, ethical procurement practices.