Senior Procurement Specialist

Job SummaryOwn the end-to-end sourcing and commercial performance of an assigned portfolio of commodity categories, spanning both rice and non-rice lines, lead the department's cost-optimization and efficiency agenda. This is a senior, delivery-focused role for a commercially and financially who can be trusted to run their categories independently: securing supply sources, strong negotiation skills, engineering structural cost savings, developing new and emerging suppliers, and, where skilled, optimizing the freight and logistics for their own categories as a source of added value.Job ResponsibilitiesCategory Ownership & Strategic SourcingOwn end-to-end sourcing across rice and non-rice lines.Build and execute category buying plans aligned to the annual buying strategy and the volume allocation framework.Assist in securing 100% of assigned seasonal volume at optimal cost, quality and supply reliability across the season.Maintain a live view of coverage, open positions and market direction.Cost Optimization & Efficiency DeliverySupport structured cost-optimization projects across assigned categories, using should-cost and open-book analysis to target and deliver structural savings.Identify and implement efficiency upgrades across buying, specification, packaging and logistics.Quantify savings against benchmark, report them, and maintain a forward pipeline of opportunities.Challenge incumbent costs, terms and processes rather than accept them as fixed.Supplier Negotiation & Contract GovernanceAssist in negotiations, specification, delivery schedules and payment terms for assigned categories.Embed back-out penalty clauses and DOTIF targets in all Purchase Orders and move suppliers toward split LC terms (part at sight, balance on goods receipt).Maintain supplier contracts and ensure their terms are enforceable and honored.Resolve quality claims, delivery discrepancies and supplier disputes within agreed timelines.Supplier Development & Supply SecurityDevelop new and emerging suppliers to broaden the base and reduce single-source dependency.Run supplier evaluations and maintain performance scorecards to inform volume allocation.Build and maintain contingency and alternate-supplier plans to protect supply security.Freight & Logistics (Assigned Categories)Where skilled, book and optimize freight, shipping and logistics for own categories, negotiating rates and coordinating shipments as a source of added value.Align carrier choices and Incoterm decisions with the freight benchmark and, once established, coordinate with the FOB and trade execution function.Track freight cost per unit against benchmark for assigned categories.Systems, PO & LC GovernanceEnsure Purchase Order, LC and documentation accuracy for all assigned categories.Maintain 100% accuracy of SAP ERP data for POs, in-transit inventory, goods receipts and supplier records.Log all supply events for assigned categories in C-Track within 24 to 48 hours of occurrence.Reporting, Committee Support & CompliancePrepare category performance, savings and market reports for the management.Provide data-backed buying proposals for the weekly Purchasing Committee for assigned categories.Ensure all activity complies with company policy and relevant regulatory requirements and support internal and external audits.Coordinate with Supply Planning, Demand Planning, Finance, and Warehouse and Logistics to align buying with need.Job RequirementsBachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, or a related field.Proficiency in SAP ERP or an equivalent procurement system.4 to 6 years in procurement, with a demonstrated track record of category ownership and delivered cost-optimization savings.Proficient in written and verbal English.Desirable AttributesMaster's degree or MBA preferred.CIPS or CPSM certification. Knowledge of cost-modelling and price-intelligence tools.FMCG or commodity procurement background. Freight and logistics negotiation exposure. Experience developing new suppliers and running structured savings projects.Arabic language skills are a strong advantage.