Job Responsibilities

Key Area Key Responsibilities

Category Ownership & Strategic Sourcing Own 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 Delivery Support 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 Governance Assist 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 Security Develop 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 Governance Ensure 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 & Compliance Prepare 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.

Key Result Areas (KRAs)

Cost savings: deliver 5 to 10% structural cost savings on assigned categories versus prior season, plus a delivered pipeline of targeted optimization projects.

Supply security: secure 100% of assigned seasonal volume at agreed cost, quality and timing.

Efficiency projects: deliver an agreed annual pipeline of cost and efficiency projects with quantified, verified savings.

Supplier development: qualify a defined number of new or emerging suppliers each year and improve average supplier scores by at least 10% year on year.

DOTIF: achieve 95 to 98% on-time, in-full delivery across assigned categories.

Accuracy and systems: 100% PO, LC and documentation accuracy, with all supply events logged in C-Track within 24 to 48 hours.

Key Interfaces of the role

Internal Interface

Commercial Director

Purchasing team

Supply Planning and Demand Planning teams

Finance / CFO (LC, payment terms, savings validation)

Warehouse and Logistics team

Purchasing Committee members

IT team (C-Track / SAP)

External Interface

Suppliers across assigned categories (rice and non-rice)

Sauce and ingredient suppliers

Sun white supply partners

Freight forwarders and shipping lines

Banks (LC issuance and document presentation)

Customs brokers and port authorities

Insurance companies and regulatory agencies

Key Competencies

Technical Competencies

Category management and strategic sourcing across multiple commodity lines

Cost modelling and should-cost / open-book analysis

Strong commercial negotiation and contract management

Working knowledge of Incoterms, LC structures and trade finance

Proficiency in SAP ERP and procurement data management

Financial acumen: margin, landed cost and savings quantification

Freight and logistics market knowledge (a strong value-add)

Professional Competencies

High ownership and dependability delivers without being chased

Maturity and sound commercial judgement

Strong analytical thinking and structured problem solving

Project leadership and follow-through

Clear communicator across functions and with suppliers

Resilience and composure under seasonal pressure

Attention to detail on terms, documents and numbers

Job Specification

Essential Requirements

Desirable Attributes

Educational Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, or a related field.

Master's degree or MBA preferred.

Professional Qualifications

Proficiency in SAP ERP or an equivalent procurement system.

CIPS or CPSM certification. Knowledge of cost-modelling and price-intelligence tools.

Experience

4 to 6 years in procurement, with a demonstrated track record of category ownership and delivered cost-optimization savings.

FMCG or commodity procurement background. Freight and logistics negotiation exposure. Experience developing new suppliers and running structured savings projects.

Any Others

Proficient in written and verbal English.

Arabic language skills are a strong advantage.

Desired Candidate Profile

Educational Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Business Administration, or a related field.

Master's degree or MBA preferred.

Professional Qualifications

Proficiency in SAP ERP or an equivalent procurement system.

CIPS or CPSM certification. Knowledge of cost-modelling and price-intelligence tools.

Experience

4 to 6 years in procurement, with a demonstrated track record of category ownership and delivered cost-optimization savings.

FMCG or commodity procurement background. Freight and logistics negotiation exposure. Experience developing new suppliers and running structured savings projects.

Any Others

Proficient in written and verbal English.

Arabic language skills are a strong advantage.