Assistant Manager, Procurement Fresh Food

About the Role

The Assistant Manager in Procurement for Fresh Food plays a vital role in supporting the organization's procurement, sourcing, and purchasing operations. Acting under the guidance of the Procurement Manager, this position involves crafting procurement strategies, handling supplier relationships, and ensuring goods and services are acquired in a timely and cost-efficient manner. The role requires close collaboration with multiple teams, market analysis, and contribution to process enhancements.

Key Responsibilities

• Assist in formulating and enforcing procurement strategies, policies, and procedures aligned with company objectives.
• Work alongside cross-functional teams to gather procurement needs, define specifications, and uphold quality benchmarks for goods and services.
• Perform market research to identify and evaluate potential suppliers, keeping the supplier database current.
• Negotiate terms, conditions, and pricing with suppliers to obtain advantageous contracts and cost reductions.
• Coordinate supplier deliveries to ensure punctual arrival and resolve any delivery or quality issues.
• Support procurement processes such as preparing purchase requisitions, evaluating quotations, and issuing purchase orders.
• Monitor supplier compliance with contractual requirements and service levels, conducting performance assessments and feedback.
• Collaborate with stakeholders on sourcing strategies including supplier consolidation and strategic sourcing.
• Drive cost-saving efforts through negotiation, value analysis, and vendor management.
• Analyze procurement data and market trends to identify opportunities for cost optimization and process improvement.
• Provide procurement expertise and support to internal stakeholders.
• Handle source-to-contract activities and procurement category management per assigned categories.
• Lead bidding processes (RFP, RFQ, RFI) and guide sourcing specialists with deep category knowledge.
• Undertake additional tasks as assigned by senior management.
• Stay informed on industry trends, new technologies, and regulatory changes affecting procurement.
• Fulfill other job-related duties complying with Saudi Labor Law regulations.

Required Skills and Knowledge

• Proven track record in procurement, sourcing, or purchasing roles, including strategic sourcing and vendor management.
• Thorough understanding of procurement processes, purchasing practices, and supplier evaluation methods.
• Experience in sourcing strategies, contract negotiation, and maintaining supplier relationships.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities to interpret data and market dynamics for decision-making.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for collaboration with internal teams and external vendors.
• Proficient with procurement software and ERP systems.
• Strong organizational skills with attention to detail in managing procurement records.
• Capable of working both independently and as part of a team with minimal supervision.
• Knowledgeable in cost-saving techniques, continuous improvement, and sustainability practices.
• Familiar with legal and contractual aspects of procurement and sourcing.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or related discipline.
• 6 to 10 years of professional experience in procurement or related fields.