Interim Chief Procurement Officer (CPO)
Location: Central Africa (On-Site)
Requirement: French & English Bilingual
Duration: 6 Months
About xNorth
xNorth™ deploys experienced executives and operational leaders to support organizations through critical periods of growth, transformation, performance improvement, and operational change.
Role Overview
xNorth is seeking an Interim Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) to support one of its major industrial clients in Central Africa. Reporting directly to the CFO, this executive will lead the stabilization and transformation of the procurement function, strengthen supplier relationships, optimize sourcing and supply chain performance, and ensure continuity of critical operations in a complex industrial environment.
This assignment requires a highly visible and hands-on leader capable of quickly assessing the current procurement organization, implementing structure and governance, and delivering immediate operational improvements while building long-term capability.
The successful candidate will combine strategic procurement expertise with strong operational execution and experience managing procurement in industrial or asset-intensive environments.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead the transformation and professionalization of the procurement function.
- Assess and optimize procurement processes, controls, governance, and organizational structure.
- Implement procurement policies, procedures, approval frameworks, and compliance standards.
- Establish procurement KPIs, dashboards, reporting routines, and performance management systems.
- Improve visibility, accountability, and control across all procurement activities.
- Partner with the CFO and senior leadership to align procurement strategy with business objectives.
- Develop and execute strategic sourcing initiatives across key spend categories.
- Lead negotiations with strategic suppliers, contractors, and commercial partners.
- Strengthen supplier relationships and drive supplier performance management.
- Establish long-term sourcing partnerships and framework agreements.
- Identify and deliver cost optimization, efficiency, and value-creation opportunities.
- Manage supplier risk and ensure continuity of supply for critical operations.
- Improve procurement planning, forecasting, inventory management, and demand planning processes.
- Collaborate with operations, maintenance, finance, and logistics teams to support business requirements.
- Lead, mentor, and develop procurement teams while fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.
Qualifications
- 15+ years of progressive procurement leadership experience.
- Previous experience as CPO, Procurement Director, VP Procurement, Head of Procurement, or equivalent senior leadership role.
- Experience in Central Africa (Cameroon, Gabon, Congo, CAR, DRC, etc.) or in comparable remote and emerging-market environments.
- Proven ability to operate effectively in complex, multicultural, and resource-constrained settings.
- Proven track record leading procurement transformation and organizational improvement initiatives.
- Strong expertise in strategic sourcing, category management, supplier negotiations, and contract management.
- Experience within industrial, manufacturing, mining, energy, forestry, infrastructure, or other asset-intensive sectors.
- Demonstrated success operating in complex, remote, or emerging-market environments.
- Strong commercial, financial, and stakeholder management skills.
- Ability to balance strategic thinking with hands-on execution.
- Bilingual French and English.
Why Join xNorth
- Lead a high-impact executive transformation mandate.
- Report directly to senior leadership and influence key business decisions.
- Drive measurable improvements in procurement performance and operational resilience.
- Work alongside experienced executives and industry leaders.
- Join a growing network of interim leaders supporting critical assignments worldwide.
