Manager I

CRS JOB DESCRIPTION

Position Duration: July 1, 2026 - December 2027

Job Summary

The Humanitarian Procurement Manager will manage and oversee procurement activities in support of humanitarian operations in Cuba. This role will lead procurement planning, execution, and oversight of complex and high-risk procurements while ensuring compliance with CRS procurement principles, donor regulations, and applicable legal requirements. The Procurement Manager will coordinate closely with Cuba programmatic and operational stakeholders and have a strong understanding of the operating constraints related to Cuba (including regulatory, sanctions, and logistics considerations). The incumbent will use this expertise to develop practical procurement approaches that balance speed, compliance, and operational feasibility in a highly constrained and evolving environment.

Roles and Key Responsibilities

• Oversee and manage procurement systems, processes, and operating procedures, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and continuous improvement for Cuba-related procurement activities.
• Lead procurement planning processes, ensuring alignment with programmatic needs, budgets, and operational realities for Cuba-focused programming, including evolving supply and delivery constraints.
• Provide strategic oversight and guidance on high-risk, high-value, and complex procurements, ensuring best value for money through effective sourcing strategies.
• Supervise procurement staff and provide coaching, mentorship, and performance management to ensure high-quality procurement delivery.
• Conduct market research and market engagement to identify and develop supplier options capable of supporting Cuba-related procurement needs. 
• Engage with supplier representatives and keep abreast of market conditions and worldwide events that could affect goods and services to CRS customers.
• Support the development of strategic procurement initiatives and lead strategic procurement tendering processes appropriate for restricted and complex operating environments such as Cuba.
• Coordinate closely with program, finance, and logistics teams to align procurement timelines with delivery requirements and ensure timely and feasible execution.
• Lead supplier engagement and performance management, including identifying and mitigating risks related to supplier reliability, supply constraints, regulatory requirements, and changing market conditions.
• Stay informed of market conditions, regulatory developments, and external factors impacting Cuba-related sourcing and supply chains.
• Ensure all procurement actions are fully compliant and supported by complete, accurate, and audit-ready documentation.
• Provide strategic procurement advice to stakeholders and contribute to decision-making on sourcing approaches in constrained and evolving operating environments.
• Support capacity strengthening initiatives, including training and mentoring procurement and non-procurement staff.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration or related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of procurement experience.
• Experience supporting procurement in restricted, regulated, or complex operating environments (e.g. Cuba or similar contexts). 
• Experience managing complex international procurement or supply chains involving multiple vendors and markets.
• Must be able to secure transportation e.g. personal vehicle, public transportation, taxi, etc. (subject to appropriate reimbursement per CRS policy) to access work locations.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional certification in procurement or supply chain management.
• Experience with Enterprise Resource Management (ERP).
• 2 years of supervisory or management experience.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Good knowledge of various donor procurement regulations (e.g. Department of State).
• Knowledge of international and national procurement regulations and local market conditions in the US, Latin America, and Caribbean region.
• Knowledge of contract terms, as well as a proven ability to successfully complete purchase orders against specifications.
• Proficient in MS Office package (Outlook, Teams Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Strong leadership, planning, and coordination skills across multiple stakeholders.
• Strong analytical and decision-making skills in complex or constrained environments.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and make sound judgments under pressure.
• Strong stakeholder engagement and communication skills.
• High level of integrity and accountability.

Required Languages: Fluency in English and Spanish (written and spoken)

Travel: Be willing and able to travel up to 30% to CRS and vendor locations in the US, Latin America, and the Caribbean.

Supervisory Responsibilities: Yes

Catholic Relief Services is the official international humanitarian agency of the Catholic community in the United States. Catholic Relief Services works to save, protect, and transform lives in need in more than 100 countries, without regard to race, religion or nationality.  Catholic Relief Services’ relief and development work is accomplished through programs of emergency response, HIV, health, agriculture, education, microfinance, and peacebuilding.  We welcome as a part of our staff people of all faiths and secular traditions who share our values and our commitment to serving those in need. CRS’ processes and policies reflect our commitment to safeguarding children and vulnerable adults from abuse and exploitation.

CRS welcomes candidates from the countries and regions in which we work. In the event the successful candidate is an expatriate, the anticipated duration of the assignment is informed by a term limit, based on the type and level of the job and the needs of the agency.

CRS is committed to safeguarding program participants, community members, staff and volunteers from all forms of exploitation and abuse.  The successful candidate is expected to sign and adhere to CRS´ Code of Conduct.

CRS talent acquisition procedures reflect our commitment to safeguarding the rights and dignity of all people - especially children and vulnerable adults - to live free from abuse and harm.

Disclaimer:  This job description is not an exhaustive list of the skill, effort, duties, and responsibilities associated with the position. 

CRS is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

General Requirements

CRS offers are contingent on the selected candidate’s ability to legally work where the position is to be performed. Every government has a unique set of work permit eligibility requirements.  All positions requiring residence or frequent travel outside a home country must undergo and clear a pre-employment medical clearance; some work permit processes require clearing a separate government administered medical examination.

CRS prioritizes candidates who are citizens/ permanent residents of the countries where we have CRS offices.