Strategic Sourcing Manager | Dubai, United Arab Emirates | Consumer Goods

Role Overview:

1. Our client, a prominent name in the food industry, is seeking an experienced and strategic professional to drive procurement excellence and spearhead the development of innovation pipelines.

2. This critical role involves developing and executing category management strategies, optimizing investments, and ensuring supplier performance, while fostering innovation and leading change management initiatives.

3. You would look at expanding the current product portfolio and support new product development.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Procurement Leadership:

• Develop and Execute Strategic Sourcing Plans:
  Formulate and implement comprehensive sourcing strategies across the MENA region, including multiple manufacturing units.
  Optimize both direct and indirect procurement activities to align with the company's strategic goals.
  Utilize advanced procurement IT tools to streamline processes and drive efficiency.
  Lead Innovation in Procurement:
  Identify, develop, and integrate innovative solutions and technologies to enhance procurement functions.
  Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the procurement team.Change Management and Transformation:

• Drive Organizational Change:
  Lead the transition from traditional procurement methods to advanced e-procurement models.
  Shift the focus from transactional procurement to strategic procurement practices.
  Influence organizational mindset and foster a culture of adaptability and forward-thinking.

• Leadership and Team Development:

• Inspire and Manage Teams:
  Set the vision for the procurement team, promoting a high-performance and innovative culture.
  Mentor and develop team members to achieve their full potential.
  Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders across the organization.

• Regional and Industry Expertise:

• Regional Procurement Management:
  Oversee procurement activities across GCC and North African markets.
  Navigate regional market dynamics to enhance procurement strategies and outcomes.
  Industry-Specific Knowledge:
  Utilize extensive experience in the food industry to drive procurement excellence.
  Stay informed about industry trends and best practices to maintain a competitive edge.

• Supplier Relationship and Performance Management:

• Develop Sustainable Supplier Relationships:
  Establish and maintain relationships with key suppliers to ensure performance and continuous improvement.
  Monitor and drive key supplier performance indicators across cost, service, and quality.
  Implement corrective actions for any performance issues.
  Lead Negotiations and Contracting:
  Lead financial and contractual negotiations with global and critical suppliers.
  Ensure successful implementation of regional contracts and related service level agreements.Strategic Category Management:

• Develop and Implement Category Strategies:
  Create and execute category sourcing strategies with an end-to-end approach.
  Develop deep understanding of business needs, external benchmarks, and industry capabilities.
  Focus on a time horizon of 3-5 years to drive innovation and competitive advantage.
  Optimize Financial Contributions:
  Drive value creation across consulting spend, including P&L cost reduction and cash flow optimization from payment terms.

• Best Practices and Knowledge Management:

• Benchmarking and Knowledge Sharing:
  Develop category insights, benchmark best practices, and ensure knowledge management within regional sourcing teams.
  Import and implement best practices to drive procurement excellence.

• Corporate Responsibility and Governance:

• Ensure Responsible Sourcing:
  Implement and comply with standard processes and tools for responsible, continuous, and sustainable sourcing.
  Align with commercial policies, systems, and controls.

• Project and Change Management:

• Ensure Robust Processes:
  Implement project and change management processes with the right governance and escalation procedures.
  Ensure alignment with business strategies and key stakeholders.

Qualifications:

Experience:

At least 10 years of procurement experience, with a strong background in both direct and indirect procurement.
Proven track record in the food industry is mandatory.
Familiarity with procurement practices in the developed and emerging markets.

Skills:

Exceptional strategic planning and implementation skills.
Strong leadership and change management abilities.
Excellent communication and influencing skills.
Proficient in developing and managing innovation pipelines.

Personal Attributes:

Strategic thinker with a visionary approach.
Strong communicator capable of influencing at all levels.
Innovative and adaptable, with a strong drive for continuous improvement.
Results-oriented with a focus on achieving tangible outcomes.