Procurement Operations Senior Manager

Role Overview

This position supervises the Local and Overseas procurement teams to secure high-quality materials, spare parts, and capital expenditure (CAPEX) items at competitive prices while ensuring compliance with procurement policies. Additionally, the role manages key operational tasks such as CAPEX disposal and the administration of permits for diesel, Coast Guard, and Mawani authorities.

Primary Responsibilities

• Provide leadership, mentoring, and management for Local and Overseas buyer teams supporting two business segments: Container and General Cargo operations.
• Oversee all sourcing, negotiation, vendor relationships, and contract execution related to materials, spare parts, and CAPEX procurement.
• Ensure all procurement activities comply with governance frameworks, regulatory standards, and maintain arm's-length dealings.
• Promote and enhance procurement processes for both Local and Overseas operations to achieve continuous improvement.
• Facilitate efficient use of Purchase Orders to streamline payment timelines and reduce processing delays.
• Collaborate closely with the Accounts Payable department to improve the overall Procure-to-Pay (P2P) workflow.
• Create and maintain reporting systems and dashboards to track key performance indicators, procurement cycle durations, and process efficiency.
• Establish and nurture strong internal stakeholder relationships, ensuring prompt and high-quality service to operations, technical, and finance teams.
• Work alongside the Stores department to manage stock levels effectively and avoid shortages or excess inventory.
• Monitor and enforce compliance of suppliers with safety, quality, delivery, and procedural standards specific to Red Sea Gateway Terminal.
• Evaluate supplier performance and address any instances of non-conformance promptly.
• Administer diesel permit issuance, ensuring renewals and compliance are handled on time.
• Keep abreast of requirements and ensure execution of Coast Guard and Mawani permits, including renewals and audits in alignment with authoritative guidelines.
• Manage the disposal process for scrap and obsolete CAPEX items, ensuring transparency, regulatory compliance, and maximizing value recovery.
• Engage in the selection process for suppliers handling waste management and scrapping services.
• Maintain accurate and well-organized procurement documentation compliant with organizational filing standards.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Demonstrated leadership and team management experience with strong mentoring abilities.
• Expert negotiation skills combined with the aptitude to develop and maintain effective supplier partnerships.
• Comprehensive knowledge of Procure-to-Pay processes and ERP procurement modules.
• Analytical skills for designing reports, dashboards, and monitoring KPIs.
• High integrity, sound decision-making, and a strong emphasis on compliance.
• Clear and effective communication skills for collaborating with diverse cross-functional teams.
• Proven ability to manage multiple operational procurement tasks simultaneously.

Mandatory Experience and Education

• A minimum of 10 to 12 years in procurement roles, with at least 5 years in a leadership capacity.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a similar discipline; a Master's degree is preferred.
• Professional procurement certification such as CIPS or CPSM is required.