ELECTRICAL PROCUREMENT ENGINEER
Department Procurement Engineering
Reports To Head of Procurement / Procurement Manager Location Nairobi, Kenya Employment Type Full-Time Experience Required 2 - 3 Years in Electrical Procurement / Estimation (MEP / Contracting industry) NB: Do not apply if you have no technical background in Electrical Engineering.
Education Diploma / Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering or related field
Job Summary We are looking for a technically strong Electrical Procurement & Estimation Engineer to support MEP project delivery across our active projects in Kenya, Uganda, and other East African markets. The role sits at the intersection of engineering and procurement — the ideal candidate must be able to read and interpret electrical drawings (including Revit models), understand the technical capacity and selection criteria of MV/LV panels, transformers, lighting, and cables, verify and validate quantities issued by the project team, and independently negotiate pricing and terms with vendors and suppliers. This is a hands-on role
requiring both technical judgement and commercial acumen.
Key Responsibilities
- Drawing Review & Quantity Verification
- Read, interpret, and extract material requirements from electrical drawings — single line diagrams
(SLDs), layout drawings, schedules, and Revit/BIM models.
- Independently review and cross-check quantities (BOQ/take-offs) submitted by the project/site
team against approved drawings and specifications before procurement action.
- Identify discrepancies between drawings, BOQs, and vendor offers, and raise queries/clarifications
with the project engineering team.
- Navigate Revit models to verify panel schedules, cable routing, DB schedules, and fixture counts
where BIM deliverables are available.
- Technical Evaluation of Electrical Equipment
- Understand and evaluate the technical capacity, ratings, and specifications of MV panels/switchgear
(11kV/33kV VCB, RMU), LV panels (MCCB/ACB distribution boards), and power/distribution transformers (dry-type and oil-filled).
- Assess vendor technical offers against project specifications, IEC/BS/KS (KEBS) standards, and
approved benchmark equipment, flagging non-compliances.
- Support selection of lighting fixtures based on lux level requirements, IP/IK ratings, lumen output,
and compliance with the project's Schedule of Light Fittings.
- Apply correct cable selection principles — sizing based on current rating, voltage drop, derating
factors, cable type (XLPE/PVC, armoured/unarmoured), and application (LV/MV, fire-rated, control).
- Prepare and maintain technical compliance/comparison workbooks (vendor-vs-approved
benchmark) for panels, transformers, cables, and lighting submissions.
- Procurement, Vendor Management & Negotiation
- Source and shortlist vendors/manufacturers for electrical materials and equipment (panels,
transformers, cables, lighting, accessories) locally and internationally (India, China, UAE, South Africa, Europe).
- Issue RFQs/enquiries, collect and technically screen vendor quotations, and prepare vendor
comparison summaries for management/MD approval.
- Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, and warranty/after-sales terms directly with vendors
and suppliers to achieve best commercial value without compromising technical compliance.
- Track and evaluate vendor performance, certification validity (type-test certificates, PVOC, ISO), and
reliability for future sourcing decisions.
- Generate Local Purchase Orders (LPOs) and procurement documentation using MPSL's standard
templates, ensuring accuracy of quantities, rates, and specifications.
- Estimation & Cost Control
- Prepare material cost estimates and pricing schedules for tenders, variations, and value-
engineering (VE) proposals.
- Maintain and update price trackers, material trackers, and BOQ-vs-order tracking tools to prevent
over-ordering and control project costs.
- Support Value Engineering exercises (e.g., alternative equipment configurations, 'or-equal'
substitutions) with clear technical and cost justification.
- Documentation & Coordination
- Prepare RFA (Request for Approval) submissions, technical compliance sheets, and material
submittals for client/consultant review.
- Coordinate with project managers, site engineers, and design teams to ensure procurement aligns
with project schedules and technical requirements.
- Maintain organized records of vendor correspondence, technical datasheets, and approval status
for audit and reference purposes.
Required Skills & Qualifications Technical Skills
- Strong working knowledge of electrical materials: MV/LV switchgear, transformers, cables (LV &
MV), lighting fixtures, cable trays/accessories, DBs.
- Ability to read and interpret electrical drawings, SLDs, schedules, and layouts; working knowledge
of Autodesk Revit (navigating models, extracting schedules/quantities) is required.
- Understanding of technical capacity/rating parameters for MV panels, LV panels, and transformers
(kA rating, kVA rating, IP rating, busbar rating, etc.).
- Familiarity with lighting selection criteria (lux levels, lumens, IP/IK rating) and cable selection
principles (current rating, voltage drop, derating, cable construction).
- Awareness of applicable standards — IEC, BS, KS/KEBS — and compliance-checking against
approved benchmarks/datasheets.
Procurement & Commercial Skills
- 2-3 years of hands-on experience in electrical procurement and/or estimation, preferably within an
MEP contracting or construction environment.
- Demonstrated experience preparing vendor comparisons, negotiating pricing/terms, and closing
purchase orders.
- Strong command of MS Excel (formulas, trackers, comparison sheets) and MS Word for
technical/commercial documentation.
- Good communication skills for vendor negotiation and cross-functional coordination with project
teams.
Preferred / Added Advantage
- Prior exposure to East African market suppliers and import/logistics processes (Kenya, Uganda).
- Experience working on institutional/hospital or UN/international-standard projects.
- Knowledge of PVOC and other Kenya/Uganda import compliance requirements.