Chief Procurement Officer

Chief Procurement Officer Location: Dubai, UAE Position Overview We are seeking a commercially astute, entrepreneurial and transformation-driven Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) to lead global and regional procurement and strategic sourcing operations for a large, multi-market food and FMCG business. Reporting to the CEO, the role will drive procurement excellence, cost optimisation, supplier partnerships and supply chain resilience across multiple geographies. The successful candidate will combine strategic leadership with strong execution capabilities, experience managing substantial procurement spend, and a proven track record of building and transforming large procurement organisations. Experience in complex international sourcing, particularly protein and other critical food categories, alongside a strong understanding of digitalisation and AI-led procurement transformation, will be highly advantageous. Key Responsibilities Global Procurement & Strategic Sourcing • Lead global and regional procurement across direct and indirect categories, managing significant multi-country spend. • Develop sourcing strategies across a diverse, multi-SKU portfolio, optimising cost, quality, availability and supply continuity. • Drive strategic negotiations, supplier partnerships, category management and supplier consolidation. • Strengthen sourcing capabilities across complex international markets, including challenging supply environments. • Leverage expertise in protein and other critical food categories to create sustainable commercial advantages. Business Leadership & Commercial Excellence • Partner with the CEO and senior leadership team to align procurement strategy with business objectives. • Build, scale and professionalise procurement capabilities across geographies and business categories. • Lead a large, multi-layered team, driving accountability, performance and leadership development. • Deliver measurable improvements in total cost of ownership, working capital, procurement efficiency and supplier performance. • Establish robust governance, spend visibility, performance metrics and category strategies. Technology, Digitalisation & AI • Lead procurement transformation through digital platforms, automation, advanced analytics and AI-enabled solutions. • Identify opportunities to apply AI across sourcing intelligence, demand forecasting, supplier risk assessment, spend analytics and contract management. • Drive technology adoption and change management, translating innovation into measurable commercial and operational outcomes. Risk Management & Supply Resilience • Develop diversified sourcing strategies to mitigate supplier concentration, commodity volatility, geopolitical uncertainty and supply disruptions. • Strengthen supplier due diligence, compliance, quality assurance and business continuity frameworks. • Integrate risk intelligence and scenario planning into strategic procurement decisions. Candidate Profile • At least 18 years of relevant experience in global or regional procurement, strategic sourcing or a closely related commercial function within FMCG, food, foodservice or complex multi-category businesses. • Experience at Regional Head, Group Head or C-suite level, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and partner effectively with the CEO. • Proven track record managing substantial global or regional procurement spend, ideally USD 500 million–1 billion or more across direct and indirect categories. • Strong multi-country sourcing experience across complex supplier ecosystems and diverse, high-volume SKU portfolios. • Experience in protein sourcing, including meat, poultry or seafood, will be a significant advantage. • Demonstrated success in building and transforming procurement organisations, leading large teams and developing scalable operating models. • Experience implementing procurement technology, digitalisation, automation or AI-enabled solutions. • Strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills, analytical capability and strategic decision-making. • An entrepreneurial, hands-on leadership style with a focus on innovation, accountability and measurable business impact. The Opportunity An opportunity to shape a large-scale, multi-market procurement function, drive strategic value creation and lead the next phase of procurement transformation through technology, innovation and operational excellence.

At least 18 years of relevant experience in global or regional procurement, strategic sourcing or a closely related commercial function within FMCG, food, foodservice or complex multi-category businesses. Experience at Regional Head, Group Head or C-suite level, with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and partner effectively with the CEO. Proven track record managing substantial global or regional procurement spend, ideally USD 500 million–1 billion or more across direct and indirect categories. Strong multi-country sourcing experience across complex supplier ecosystems and diverse, high-volume SKU portfolios. Experience in protein sourcing, including meat, poultry or seafood, will be a significant advantage. Demonstrated success in building and transforming procurement organisations, leading large teams and developing scalable operating models. Experience implementing procurement technology, digitalisation, automation or AI-enabled solutions.

Global Procurement & Strategic Sourcing: Lead global and regional procurement across direct and indirect categories, managing significant multi-country spend. Develop sourcing strategies across a diverse, multi-SKU portfolio, optimising cost, quality, availability and supply continuity. Drive strategic negotiations, supplier partnerships, category management and supplier consolidation. Strengthen sourcing capabilities across complex international markets, including challenging supply environments. Leverage expertise in protein and other critical food categories to create sustainable commercial advantages. Business Leadership & Commercial Excellence: Partner with the CEO and senior leadership team to align procurement strategy with business objectives. Build, scale and professionalise procurement capabilities across geographies and business categories. Lead a large, multi-layered team, driving accountability, performance and leadership development. Deliver measurable improvements in total cost of ownership, working capital, procurement efficiency and supplier performance. Establish robust governance, spend visibility, performance metrics and category strategies. Technology, Digitalisation & AI: Lead procurement transformation through digital platforms, automation, advanced analytics and AI-enabled solutions. Identify opportunities to apply AI across sourcing intelligence, demand forecasting, supplier risk assessment, spend analytics and contract management. Drive technology adoption and change management, translating innovation into measurable commercial and operational outcomes. Risk Management & Supply Resilience: Develop diversified sourcing strategies to mitigate supplier concentration, commodity volatility, geopolitical uncertainty and supply disruptions. Strengthen supplier due diligence, compliance, quality assurance and business continuity frameworks. Integrate risk intelligence and scenario planning into strategic procurement decisions.