Procurement Manager

About This Role

Procurement Manager

Riyadh , Saudi Arabia Full-time On-site

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Procurement Manager to lead and oversee the company's full procurement function. Reporting to senior management, this role owns vendor strategy, supplier relationships, purchasing operations, sea freight coordination, and procurement governance across the organization. The successful candidate will bring strong negotiation skills, a deep understanding of import logistics into Saudi Arabia, mature judgment in vendor selection and risk management, and the ability to lead a procurement team while working closely with finance, operations, warehouse, and sales.

Key Responsibilities

1. Procurement Strategy & Governance

• Define and execute the overall procurement strategy in alignment with business objectives, project pipeline, and cost targets.
• Develop, document, and continuously improve procurement policies, approval workflows, and standard operating procedures.
• Set procurement KPIs and report performance, savings, and risks to senior management on a regular basis.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, internal controls, and applicable regulations.

2. Vendor & Supplier Management

• Build and maintain a strong portfolio of local and international vendors aligned with the company's product and project needs.
• Lead vendor onboarding, qualification, evaluation, and periodic performance reviews based on quality, pricing, lead time, and reliability.
• Negotiate framework agreements, pricing, payment terms, warranties, and service levels with strategic suppliers.
• Develop alternate sourcing options to reduce single-source risk and ensure continuity of supply.

3. Purchasing & Order Management

• Oversee the issuance, approval, and execution of purchase orders for materials, equipment, and services.
• Review and approve high-value, strategic, and project-critical purchase orders.
• Ensure ERP records, item master data, and procurement transactions are accurate, complete, and properly maintained in Oracle NetSuite.
• Monitor open purchase orders, lead times, and delivery commitments to prevent project delays.

4. Shipment & Logistics Oversight

• Oversee sea freight, air freight, and land shipments from origin to final delivery, ensuring cost efficiency and on-time arrival.
• Coordinate with freight forwarders, customs clearance agents, and shipping lines to manage Incoterms, documentation, and duties.
• Manage import processes through Saudi Customs and FASAH, including SABER and SASO compliance for regulated items.
• Resolve shipment disputes, claims, and demurrage issues in coordination with vendors, forwarders, and insurers.

5. Cross-Functional Coordination

• Partner with sales and project teams to translate project pipeline and demand forecasts into actionable procurement plans.
• Coordinate with operations, warehouse, and logistics teams on receiving, inspection, and stock placement.
• Communicate realistic delivery timelines to internal stakeholders and proactively flag risks to commitments.
• Work closely with engineering and technical teams to ensure procured materials meet project specifications and quality standards.

6. Finance & Payment Management

• Liaise with the finance team on payment schedules, advance payments, letters of credit, and supplier credit terms.
• Review and approve payment requests submitted to finance, ensuring proper supporting documentation and budget alignment.
• Support cash flow planning by providing finance with accurate forecasts of upcoming procurement commitments.
• Resolve invoice, GRN, and payment discrepancies in coordination with finance and vendors.

7. Cost, Risk & Performance Management

• Identify and execute cost optimization, value engineering, and consolidation opportunities across categories.
• Monitor and manage procurement-related risks, including currency exposure, supplier dependency, and shipping disruptions.
• Maintain dashboards and reports tracking procurement performance, savings, vendor quality, and on-time delivery.
• Ensure proper documentation and audit trails for all procurement activities and decisions.

8. Team Leadership & Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the procurement team, including procurement specialists and support staff.
• Set clear individual objectives, conduct performance reviews, and identify training and growth opportunities.
• Allocate workload and ownership across the team based on category, project, or vendor portfolio.
• Foster a culture of accountability, integrity, and continuous improvement within the procurement function.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field. Master's degree or MBA is a plus.

10+ years of progressive procurement experience, with at least 3–5 years in a managerial or team leadership role.

Proven track record in international sourcing and managing sea freight imports into Saudi Arabia.

Strong knowledge of Saudi Customs, FASAH, SABER, and SASO requirements, plus standard Incoterms and trade documentation.

Hands-on experience with ERP systems; Oracle NetSuite experience is strongly preferred.

Experience procuring for AEC, construction, MEP, or aquatic/water feature projects is highly desirable.

Demonstrated ability to negotiate large-value contracts and manage strategic supplier relationships.

Professional certifications such as CIPS, CSCP, CPSM, or equivalent are strongly preferred.

Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel for cost analysis and reporting.

Fluency in Arabic and English is required.

Key Competencies

• Strategic sourcing and category management
• Negotiation and contract management
• International logistics and customs expertise
• Vendor relationship management
• Cost control and financial acumen
• Risk identification and mitigation
• Team leadership and people development
• Cross-functional collaboration and influence
• Integrity, ethical conduct, and accountability