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Rift Innovations Lab - Supply Chain & Operations Lead

About Rift Innovations Lab

RIFT Innovation Lab is an Africa-based engineering startup on a mission to build Africa's future — from concept to market. Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya, we bring together mechanical, electrical, embedded systems, and software engineers to design, prototype, and commercialize products built for African conditions and by African ecosystems. Our work spans electromechanics, power electronics, IoT, cold chain, and digital platforms, with end-to-end systems integration at our core.

We don't just build prototypes — we take ideas all the way from human-centered design research to field-tested MVPs and manufacturing-ready products. Our track record includes partnering with a global automotive OEM to co-develop a next-generation electric mobility ecosystem for Africa, going from a blank-sheet concept to a fully functional, field-tested prototype and service blueprint in under two years. We move fast, work hands-on, and engineer solutions that are locally manufacturable, frugal, and scalable across the Global South and beyond.

 As we build out our operational backbone, we're hiring a Supply Chain & Operations Lead to own the financial and logistical processes that keeps an engineering team moving, while growing into a senior leadership role as the entity scales.

This is a foundational hire. You'll start hands-on across procurement, and logistics.

What You'll Own

Procurement & Logistics 

Manage procurement of components, materials, and equipment needed for engineering work (e.g. PCB runs, mechanical parts)

Coordinate vendor relationships — sourcing, quotes, negotiation, and purchase orders

Track logistics for inbound/outbound shipments, including customs and import processes where relevant

Maintain inventory records for critical components and equipment

Internal Administration

Manage day-to-day finance processes: bookkeeping, expense tracking, payment processing, and basic financial reporting

Follow up on outstanding invoices (both payable and receivable) and maintain a clean AR/AP position

Support budgeting and cash flow tracking for engineering projects (e.g. hardware runs, prototyping cycles)

Liaise with external accountants/auditors for statutory compliance (tax, filings)

Operations & Growth 

Build lightweight systems and documentation for the above processes as the entity formalises (this role starts as a single contributor and grows into a manager who delegates)

Flag and help resolve operational bottlenecks that slow down the engineering team

Manage basic people operations for a lean team. 

What We're Looking For

3–6 years of experience in finance, operations, or a hybrid commercial/ops role — ideally in a small company, startup, or project-based environment where you wore multiple hats

Comfortable with core bookkeeping/accounting concepts. CPA and other certifications preferred. 

Experience with procurement or vendor management, ideally involving physical goods/hardware (not just services)

Fluency with AI tools

Strong follow-through,  this role lives and dies on chasing invoices, chasing vendors, chasing shipments

Comfortable with ambiguity: especially at the start

Nice to have

Exposure to hardware/engineering environments (understanding of BOMs, fabrication cycles, or manufacturing logistics)

Experience setting up finance/ops processes from scratch (not just operating within existing systems)

Import/export or customs experience, especially cross-border in East Africa

Compensation & Logistics

Type: Contract-to-hire

Start date: Early/Mid October 2026

Years of relevant experience

Describe a procurement process you've run for physical goods (not services) — from sourcing to PO to delivery.

Have you built a finance or ops process from scratch (not just operated inside an existing one)? What was it, and why did you build it that way?

This role starts as a single contributor with no team. How would you prioritize when finance, procurement, and logistics all have fires at once?

Which AI or digital productivity tools do you actively use in your work?

Why does this opportunity interest you?

What are your salary expectations in KES?

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