Group Head of Procurement
d.light
Company Overview
d.light
San Francisco, CA, United States
2007
Employee count is not publicly disclosed, and revenue figures for 2023 or later are not available; however, d.light has raised over $20 million in early venture capital and participated in multiple funding rounds, including a $30 million Series D (source: sfgate.com).
What They Do
d.light is a for-profit social enterprise and certified B Corporation that specializes in solar-powered solutions aimed at off-grid and underserved communities. The company focuses on providing affordable and durable solar lighting, home systems, inverters, and appliances, with a strong emphasis on human-centered design. Their products include solar home systems, portable solar lanterns, and PayGo financing models, which allow customers to pay for their energy solutions in manageable daily installments of 20-50 US cents (source: dlight.com). The technology is designed to last, featuring LiFePO4 batteries that can endure over 2000 cycles, and polycrystalline solar panels ranging from 9W to 40W, making them suitable for various applications in regions lacking reliable electricity (source: dlight.com). By targeting low-income families, small businesses, health centers, and schools, d.light aims to improve the quality of life for millions while promoting sustainable energy practices.
Projects & Track Record
Since its inception, d.light has successfully distributed over 25 million solar products across 62 countries, significantly impacting the lives of approximately 173 million people. Notable projects include installations at the Gora Primary Health Care Center in Plateau State, Nigeria, where their iMAX10 inverters have facilitated critical medical interventions during power outages. Additionally, health centers in Abia State have utilized d.light's technology for phototherapy treatments (source: techxlab.org). Current efforts are focused on scaling PayGo solar home systems in regions like Mt. Kenya's Kiharu area, where they provide essential lighting and educational support, as well as in urban settings like Nairobi for business lighting solutions (source: dlight.com). The company has established partnerships with local distributors and organizations such as Acumen to enhance its reach and effectiveness in delivering solar solutions to those in need.
Recent Developments
In recent years, d.light has gained recognition for its impactful solar solutions, highlighted in the Earthshot Prize video released on October 16, 2024, which showcased how their products have powered 175 million lives across Africa and helped offset 38 million tonnes of carbon emissions (source: youtube.com). The company has also celebrated the milestone of selling 25 million products, contributing to its ambitious goal of reaching 1 billion lives by 2030 (source: techxlab.org). While there have been no major contracts or acquisitions reported for 2023-2025, d.light continues to build on its legacy of innovation and social impact, having previously won the Global LEAP Award in 2016 for its energy-efficient off-grid appliances.
Working There
d.light offers a variety of roles that likely include positions in engineering, sales, customer support, and supply chain management, reflecting its diverse operational needs across global markets. The company recruits talent for its headquarters in San Francisco as well as for field offices in Kenya, India, and China, emphasizing community engagement by hiring local sales agents (source: dlight.com). The culture at d.light is centered around human-centered design and social impact, with a commitment to empowering local communities and ensuring product durability in extreme conditions. While specific employee benefits are not detailed, the company's innovative PayGo financing models suggest a focus on aligning employee interests with customer needs and sustainable practices (source: thecharlesbronfmanprize.org).
Last updated on 2026-02-23 | Report an issue
Job Description
The jobholder is responsible for developing and implementing strategies to procure goods and services in the most efficient and cost-effective manner which supports the various objectives of the business.
Requirements
Roles & Responsibilities
- Serve as the organization's representative on procurement issues and procedures to maintain an appropriate degree of control over vendor relationships.
- Coordinate closely with the Finance, Legal, IT / Information Security, and other departments to design global procurement policies;
- Partner with department leadership to optimize cost, terms or other service level benefits in vendor contracts;
- Liaise with key company employees to determine their product and service needs
- Advise on and support with the implementation of a procurement system, including design, and testing;
- Set strategy, define process, and own sourcing and procurement globally with emphasis on software licensing, consulting and third party agreements, IT and office equipment, leases, and other contracts.
- Nurture relationships with suppliers to negotiate the best prices for company
- Support departments with vendor / product selection, contract negotiations, and annual partner health checks;
- Coordinate with and support the FP&A team in developing spend metrics and analyses to reduce expenses and improve effectiveness by monitoring business trends and product availability to pay the best price for company goods and services without sacrificing quality or delivery times.
- Identify creative ways to improve operational efficiency and effectiveness of procurement activities;
- Perform risk management, foresee trends and predict alterations in the negotiating ability of suppliers and clients.
- Steward purchase requests throughout the procurement workflow.
Desired Skills & Experience
- Bachelor's Degree in Business, Logistics, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Economics, Applied Science, or a Related Field; a Master's Degree will be an added advantage.
- 7+ Years of business experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management.
- 5+ years of Leadership experience
- Experience in a continuous improvement environment with a track record of achieving significant year over year results.
- Critical Thinking and capable of formulating strategies. Capabilities and experiences in implementing improvement actions.
- Strong People Management skills with demonstrated experience leading teams to share diverse viewpoints, provide honest feedback, create & maintain a strong team bond, and foster an environment where people can thrive, do their best work and feel appreciated.
- Demonstrative experience in providing strategic and thought leadership in the disciplines of Strategic Sourcing or Procurement.
- Experience negotiating and purchasing for large-scale organizations
- Highly organized with a demonstrated ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously
- Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to interact with all levels of management with ease
- Ability to work independently, exercising good judgment and an aptitude for problem solving
- Strong mindset for continuous improvement and meeting or exceeding expectations and able to demonstrate complete discretion and confidentiality
- Passion for social enterprise, development of people and environmental benefits
We strongly believe that diverse perspectives are crucial to d.light's innovation and success. So, we are actively seeking talented individuals from all backgrounds to contribute their unique skills and experiences.
Some studies suggest that people from less privileged groups, including women, can feel less confident about applying unless they fulfil 100% of the listed job's requirements. However, at d.light we highly value go-getters who are willing to give things a shot!
So, we really encourage all qualified candidates to apply, even if your experience doesn't align perfectly with every listed requirement. We are committed to building a gender-diverse team and would love to see your application.
Go for it!
Benefits
- Competitive Remuneration
- Pension Scheme
- Medical Cover
Apply now
Job expired?Please let d.light know you found this job on Rejobs. This will help us grow and get more people to work on renewable energy!
Apply now
Job expired?Please let d.light know you found this job on Rejobs. This will help us grow and get more people to work on renewable energy!
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About the role
February 26, 2026
Full time
Company
- Nairobi, Kenya
7+ years in procurement and 5+ years in leadership
UTC+03:00