Senior Procurement Specialist

Location: Saudi Arabia/ Hautat Sudair Industry: Food Manufacturing / FMCG Experience: 4–10 Years Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Food Science, or a related field. Job Overview We are seeking an experienced and commercially driven Procurement & Sourcing Supervisor to lead sourcing activities, supplier negotiations, purchasing operations, and supply chain coordination within a food manufacturing environment. The successful candidate will be responsible for identifying competitive suppliers, securing cost-effective purchasing agreements, ensuring the timely availability of raw materials and packaging, and maintaining compliance with applicable Saudi import and food safety regulations. This role requires strong analytical skills, ERP expertise, and the ability to collaborate with production, quality, warehousing, and logistics teams. Key Responsibilities Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management • Identify, evaluate, and benchmark local, GCC, and international suppliers of dry food raw materials and primary and secondary packaging. • Develop alternative sourcing channels to reduce supplier dependency and minimize supply chain risks. • Monitor commodity prices, freight costs, and import lead times to optimize purchasing decisions. • Evaluate supplier performance based on delivery reliability, product quality, rejection rates, and invoice accuracy. Commercial Negotiations & Contracts • Lead supplier negotiations covering pricing, minimum order quantities, payment terms, lead times, and volume discounts. • Develop and review purchase agreements and supply contracts in coordination with Quality Assurance and Legal teams. • Identify cost-saving opportunities while maintaining material quality and supply continuity. • Establish and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and key business partners. Purchasing & Supply Chain Operations • Manage the end-to-end Purchase-to-Pay (P2P) process through the ERP system, including purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and supplier invoice coordination. • Convert Material Requirements Planning (MRP) outputs into approved purchase orders in line with company procedures. • Coordinate with freight forwarders, shipping companies, and customs brokers to ensure timely import clearance and regulatory compliance. • Work closely with inventory planning and warehouse teams to maintain appropriate safety stock levels, prevent production shortages, and reduce excess inventory. Cross-Functional Coordination • Collaborate with Production, Plant Operations, R&D, and Quality Assurance teams to confirm material specifications and facilitate sample testing for new products. • Participate in Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP) meetings to align procurement plans with demand forecasts and production capacity. • Monitor material availability and proactively resolve potential supply disruptions. • Support the development of procurement processes and supply chain capabilities as the business expands. Candidate Requirements • Experience: 4–10 years of hands-on procurement and sourcing experience, preferably in food manufacturing, FMCG, bakery, blending operations, or chemical processing. • Education: Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Business Administration, Food Science, or a related discipline. • Professional Certification: CIPS certification is an advantage. • Regulatory Knowledge: Familiarity with SFDA food import requirements, Halal compliance, food-grade packaging standards, and HACCP/FSSC 22000 frameworks. • ERP & Technical Skills: Proficiency in SAP, Oracle, Odoo, Microsoft Dynamics 365, or similar ERP systems, with strong Excel and data analysis skills. • Commercial Skills: Strong negotiation, supplier relationship management, cost analysis, and contract management capabilities. • Leadership Potential: Ability to take ownership of procurement operations and grow into broader plant or supply chain management responsibilities. • Languages: Professional fluency in English; Arabic proficiency is strongly preferred. What We Are Looking For • A proactive and analytical procurement professional who can optimize purchasing costs, build reliable supplier networks, ensure uninterrupted production, and support the company's long-term manufacturing growth.