Vendor Acquisition Manager

Company Overview

Launched in 2025 in Riyadh, iBuild is an innovative startup dedicated to revolutionizing Saudi Arabia's building materials market with cutting-edge digital solutions. Recognizing the rapid expansion and challenges within the construction sector, iBuild aims to simplify, bring transparency to, and make procurement more efficient through a centralized, tech-enabled marketplace. This platform bridges fragmented supply chains and outdated processes by connecting suppliers and buyers via smart tools, insightful data analytics, and reliable logistics.

Role Responsibilities

• Take full ownership of acquiring new vendors, including suppliers, manufacturers, distributors, and factories.
• Analyze and map the supplier ecosystem in priority material categories, creating focused target lists of essential vendors.
• Engage prospective vendors through direct outreach, site visits, participation in industry networks, and trade events.
• Effectively communicate the iBuild value proposition to convert vendor interest into formal agreements.
• Lead negotiations on commercial terms such as pricing, margins, discounts, payment schedules, and delivery commitments to ensure competitiveness and sustainability.
• Assess potential vendors for pricing, product offering, capacity, quality certifications, delivery capabilities, and reliability.
• Compare vendor pricing with market rates to guarantee competitive pricing for iBuild buyers.
• Address category and pricing gaps by onboarding vendors specifically requested by buyers.
• Manage vendor onboarding processes including agreements, documentation, product/pricing data, and catalog setup before handing off to the Vendor Relationship Manager.
• Collaborate with the sales team to align vendor acquisition with actual buyer demand.
• Maintain accurate and updated vendor pipelines using CRM tools and provide regular reports on acquisition status, category coverage, and negotiated terms.
• Keep abreast of market trends, pricing dynamics, and new player activity in the construction materials sector.
• Represent iBuild at various industry trade shows and exhibitions to expand the supplier network.

Candidate Qualifications

• Demonstrated experience in procurement or purchasing within construction or finishing materials, from contractors or suppliers/distributors/manufacturers of such materials.
• Deep understanding of material categories, specifications, brands, and pricing within the construction and finishing materials market.
• Proven negotiation capabilities with a history of securing advantageous commercial deals.
• Existing or rapidly developable network of suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors in the Saudi landscape.
• Ability to thoroughly evaluate vendors on commercial metrics including pricing, capacity, reliability, and quality.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, comfortable interacting with factory owners and commercial decision-makers.
• Highly organized with proficiency in CRM platforms for pipeline management.
• Knowledgeable about product catalogs, data structures, pricing documents, and ERP systems.
• Fluency in Arabic coupled with good proficiency in English.
• Valid Saudi Arabian driving license and readiness to travel for vendor visits.
• Adaptability to work effectively in a dynamic startup environment with evolving processes.