Assistant Manager - Packaging & Indirect Procurement

Company Description Gulf Oil Middle East Ltd. (GOMEL), a wholly owned subsidiary of Gulf Oil International and part of the Hinduja Group, is a leading manufacturer and marketer of automotive and industrial lubricants in the region. Established in Dubai’s Jebel Ali Free Zone in 1986, GOMEL operates two state-of-the-art blending plants in Jebel Ali and Ras Al Khaimah, with a combined capacity of 145,000 tons per year, including a specialized grease blending facility. The company manages Gulf Lubricants business across the Middle East, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and CIS, supplying major B2B customers and a strong distributor network in more than 20 countries.Role DescriptionWe are seeking a seasoned and experienced Procurement Lead to oversee the sourcing and procurement activities. The ideal candidate will have at least 7 years of experience in UAE with in-depth industry knowledge, strong negotiation skills, and experience managing supplier relationships. Experience in managing a team is a pre-requisite. Qualifications·      Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field.·      Minimum 7 years of procurement experience in UAE, preferably in lubricants or petrochemicals.·      Knowledge of lubricant products/petro chemicals, specifications, and market dynamics is preferable.·      Proven negotiation and contract management skills.·      Proficiency in ERP systems and Microsoft Office Suite.·      Excellent analytical, communication, and interpersonal skills.·      Result oriented with ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.Key Responsibilities·      Team player with expertise in working and developing direct reports. ·      Assist with development and implementation of procurement strategies in line with business plan. ·      Identify, evaluate, and manage suppliers to ensure quality, cost, delivery, and service.·      Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with suppliers to ensure optimize value by industry and SLA benchmarking.·      Monitor market trends, pricing, and supply chain risks and suggest appropriate actions to leverage opportunities and mitigate supply risks. ·      At all times, ensuring compliance & safety is an integral part of procurement activities. ·      Collaborate with cross-functional stakeholders to align on procurement strategy, risk and mitigations to ensure the right inventory levels.·      Maintain accurate records of purchases, pricing, and supplier performance and publish monthly dashboard / analytics for key procurement trends. ·      Drive continuous improvement in procurement processes; cost savings and cost avoidance initiatives.·      Facilitate management of import/export documentation and related activities pertaining to procurement. ·      Support sustainability and ESG goals through responsible sourcing practices.