Sourcing Assistant / Specialist

📣 We're Hiring: Sourcing Assistant / Specialist📍 Location: United Arab Emirates (UAE) 🕒 Employment Type: Full-Time 💼 Level: Assistant / Specialist🌐 About UsWe are seeking a proactive, analytical, and commercially minded Sourcing Assistant / Specialist to support the identification, evaluation, selection, and development of suppliers for goods and services across our business.The role works closely with Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Purchasing, Category Management, Supplier Management, Vendor Management, Finance, Legal, Quality, Supply Chain, Operations, Merchandising, Merchandise Planning, and other internal stakeholders.The successful candidate will help identify competitive supply sources, conduct supplier research, manage RFQs and sourcing exercises, evaluate commercial proposals, maintain supplier information, support negotiations, and contribute to cost competitiveness, supply continuity, quality, and supplier performance.🎯 The RoleThe Sourcing Assistant / Specialist supports the sourcing lifecycle from market research and supplier identification through RFQ/RFP activities, commercial evaluation, supplier selection, onboarding, and ongoing performance monitoring.At Assistant level, the focus is on supplier research, quotation administration, sourcing documentation, data analysis, supplier communication, and sourcing-process support.At Specialist level, responsibilities expand into sourcing projects, supplier negotiations, cost analysis, market intelligence, bid evaluation, supplier development, and sourcing strategy execution.🚀 What You'll DoSourcing AdministrationSupport day-to-day sourcing activitiesMaintain sourcing trackers and project recordsCoordinate:RFQsRFPsRFIsSupplier questionnairesBid submissionsEnsure sourcing documentation is complete and accurateSourcing RequestsReview internal sourcing requirementsClarify:SpecificationsQuantitiesDelivery requirementsQuality requirementsBudget expectationsRequired timelinesCoordinate with relevant stakeholders before approaching suppliers🔎 Supplier IdentificationSupplier ResearchIdentify potential suppliers through:Market researchSupplier databasesIndustry directoriesTrade eventsExisting supplier networksReferralsMarket intelligenceSupplier MappingBuild supplier lists based on:Product/service categoryGeographyCapabilityCapacityCertificationsPricing competitivenessLead timesQualityFinancial stabilityNew Supplier IdentificationIdentify alternative and backup suppliersReduce dependency on single-source supply where appropriateIdentify local and international sourcing opportunities🌍 Market IntelligenceMonitor:Supplier marketsCommodity trendsRaw-material pricesCurrency movementsFreight costsIndustry developmentsSupply constraintsNew technologiesEmerging suppliersMarket BenchmarkingCompare:Supplier pricingProduct specificationsLead timesPayment termsDelivery termsQualityService levels📋 RFQ / RFP / RFI ManagementRFQPrepare and issue RFQs to approved or prospective suppliersEnsure all suppliers receive consistent specificationsTrack quotation deadlinesFollow up on outstanding submissionsRFPSupport RFP processes involving:Technical requirementsCommercial requirementsService levelsImplementation requirementsContractual requirementsRFICollect supplier information regarding:CapabilitiesCapacityCertificationsProduct portfolioGeographic coverageExperienceSustainabilityCompliance💰 Commercial EvaluationQuotation AnalysisCompare supplier proposals across:Unit priceTotal priceDiscountsRebatesFreightDutiesTaxesPayment termsDelivery termsLead timesMinimum order quantitiesTotal Cost of OwnershipAt Specialist level, support evaluation of:Purchase priceFreightCustomsWarehousingQuality costsMaintenanceService costsLifecycle costsBid ComparisonPrepare structured bid-comparison tables and commercial evaluations for stakeholder review.📉 Cost AnalysisAnalyze:Historical supplier pricesCurrent market pricesQuoted pricesCost movementsPrice variancesSupplier margins where information is availableCost OpportunitiesIdentify opportunities for:Price reductionsVolume discountsBundled purchasingSpecification optimizationSupplier consolidationAlternative sourcingLocal sourcing🤝 Supplier NegotiationAt Specialist level, participate in negotiations covering:Unit priceVolume discountsPayment termsDelivery termsLead timesMinimum order quantitiesRebatesWarrantyService levelsPrice-review mechanismsNegotiation PreparationPrepare:Supplier benchmarksHistorical pricingMarket dataVolume informationAlternative supplier optionsNegotiation objectives🏷️ Supplier SelectionSupport supplier evaluation based on:Commercial competitivenessProduct/service qualityCapacityLead timeReliabilityFinancial stabilityComplianceCertificationsGeographic coverageSustainabilityService capabilitiesSupplier RecommendationAt Specialist level:Prepare supplier-selection recommendationsDocument evaluation criteriaPresent commercial findings to stakeholdersSupport final supplier-selection decisions🧾 Supplier PrequalificationSupport supplier due diligence by collecting:Company registrationTrade licensesCertificationsTax informationBanking informationReferencesProduct documentationQuality certificationsInsurance documentationCompliance informationCoordinate with relevant internal teams to complete onboarding requirements.🏢 Supplier OnboardingSupport new supplier setup by coordinating:Supplier master dataRequired documentationCommercial termsPayment termsDelivery requirementsProduct informationCompliance requirementsEnsure approved suppliers are correctly established in procurement and ERP systems.📦 Product & Specification SourcingWork with Category Management, Merchandising, Operations, and technical stakeholders to source products according to:SpecificationsQuality standardsPackaging requirementsQuantity requirementsDelivery requirementsRegulatory requirementsAlternative ProductsIdentify alternative products or suppliers when:Products are unavailableCosts increaseLead times become unacceptableSuppliers fail to meet requirements🛒 Retail & Merchandise SourcingWhere applicable, source:Retail merchandiseConsumer productsPackagingStore suppliesPromotional materialsEquipmentFixturesOperational suppliesCoordinate with Category Management, Assortment Planning, Merchandise Planning, Merchandising, and Purchasing.🌐 International SourcingSupport international supplier sourcing across relevant markets.Evaluate:Supplier locationManufacturing capabilityExport experienceIncotermsFreightLead timesCustoms considerationsCurrency exposureImport SourcingCoordinate with Logistics and Supply Chain regarding:Shipping requirementsDocumentationEstimated arrival datesFreight arrangementsCustoms requirements📊 Key Performance AreasPerformance may be measured against:Sourcing savingsCost avoidanceCompetitive quotation coverageSupplier onboarding cycle timeRFQ completion timeSupplier response rateSupplier competitivenessSupplier qualitySupplier on-time deliveryLead-time improvementSupply continuityAlternative-source developmentSupplier concentration reductionLocal-supplier developmentSourcing project completionSourcing complianceData accuracyDocumentation accuracyStakeholder satisfactionProcess-efficiency improvements🇦🇪 UAE EnvironmentThe successful candidate should understand the UAE sourcing and supplier environment, including local supplier markets, international sourcing, import requirements, logistics, lead times, and regional commercial practices.Experience sourcing across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, and other UAE markets is highly desirable.Knowledge of UAE/GCC supplier markets, regional manufacturing, distribution networks, import processes, customs considerations, and local business practices is beneficial.💼 Preferred Industry ExperienceExperience in one or more of the following is advantageous:RetailFMCGGroceryFood & BeverageFashionBeautyLuxuryElectronicsHealthcarePharmaceuticalsConsumer GoodsHome & LivingGeneral MerchandiseHospitalityE-commerceDistributionWholesaleManufacturing✅ What We're Looking ForDiploma or bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Business Administration, Economics, Finance, Operations, Logistics, or a related field1–5+ years of relevant experience in sourcing, procurement, purchasing, buying, supplier management, or commercial analysisStrong analytical and numerical skillsStrong attention to detailGood understanding of sourcing and procurement processesStrong Excel capabilityGood commercial awarenessStrong supplier-communication skillsAbility to compare and evaluate commercial proposalsGood negotiation skills at Specialist levelAbility to manage multiple sourcing projects and deadlinesStrong problem-solving skillsUAE/GCC sourcing experience is highly desirable🌟 Preferred QualificationsBachelor's or Master's degree in a relevant fieldCIPS qualification or equivalent procurement certificationSupply-chain qualificationAdvanced Excel certificationStrategic sourcing experienceSupplier-management experienceRFQ/RFP/RFI experienceContract-management exposureSpend-analysis experienceCost-modelling experienceERP/procurement-system experienceInternational sourcing experienceImport/export sourcing experienceRetail sourcing experienceE-commerce sourcing experienceExperience with large or multinational organizationsFluency in English is required; Arabic is an advantage🌟 What We OfferFull-time position based in the United Arab Emirates 🇦🇪Competitive salaryPerformance incentives where applicableProfessional development in sourcing, procurement, and supplier managementExposure to Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Purchasing, Category Management, Supplier Management, Finance, Supply Chain, and OperationsOpportunities to work with modern sourcing and procurement platformsCareer progression toward Senior Sourcing Specialist, Sourcing Manager, Strategic Sourcing Specialist, Procurement Specialist, Buyer, Category Specialist, or Procurement ManagerMulticultural working environmentComprehensive benefits package