Rutendo Chirume

Rutendo Chirume is an experienced procurement professional with over 10 years’ experience delivering end-to-end procurement across regulated, safety-critical, and commercial environments.

Rutendo brings a strong generalist background across both indirect services and engineering-related spend, with expertise supporting transport, infrastructure, and utilities-aligned organisations.

Rutendo joins Enigma Seven from Arriva UK Bus & Train, where she progressed through multiple procurement roles, demonstrating consistent delivery of commercial value, supplier governance improvements, and system-led procurement transformation. She has a proven ability to manage complex stakeholder environments and deliver compliant, data-driven procurement outcomes.

Leadership
Rutendo is a proactive and analytical procurement professional with a structured approach to problem-solving. She has led as a Materials Category Lead, covering both engineering parts (direct procurement) and indirect categories, driving a data-led approach to procurement scope, decision-making, and performance improvement.

Experience
Rutendo began her career in finance and operational roles, building a strong foundation in data, reporting, and commercial processes before transitioning into procurement. Her early experience in payroll, finance, and account management developed her analytical mindset and attention to detail, which she has carried into her procurement career.

At Arriva UK Bus & Train, Rutendo progressed from Procurement Analyst to Procurement Programme Manager and then Materials Category Lead within Engineering. Throughout this journey, she delivered full end-to-end procurement activity including stakeholder engagement, market analysis, sourcing strategy development, evaluation, contract award, and supplier management.

In her role as Materials Lead, Rutendo held commercial ownership of engineering materials and indirect service categories supporting fleet-critical operations. She was responsible for supplier strategy, continuity of supply, and ensuring alignment with governance frameworks and the Procurement Act 2023. She delivered over £500k in savings through data driven decision making, supplier optimisation, and demand management initiatives.

Rutendo has also played a key role in digital procurement transformation, supporting ERP and P2P system implementation and acting as a bridge between procurement, engineering, finance, IT, and suppliers. She leverages tools such as Oracle ERP, Power BI, and advanced Excel to drive data-led decision-making and transparency.