Supply Chain Manager - Lubricants Manufacturing

About the Role

We are looking for a Supply Chain Manager with extensive experience to lead the procurement, strategic sourcing, inventory planning, and overall supply chain operations at a premier lubricant manufacturing facility in Doha, Qatar. The role demands expertise in managing uninterrupted flow of base oils, additives, packaging materials, and other plant necessities while optimizing inventory and cost efficiency.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute procurement strategies aligned with production and business goals.
• Direct supplier selection, vendor evaluations, contract negotiations, and procurement planning to enhance cost efficiency.
• Manage purchasing of lubricant base oils (Group I to V) and specialty additives including detergents, antioxidants, friction modifiers, and corrosion inhibitors.
• Maintain strong relationships with key suppliers like Lubrizol, Infineum, Afton Chemical, Chevron Oronite, and global base oil producers.
• Forecast demand based on production schedules and sales, ensuring ideal inventory levels to support continuous production.
• Coordinate logistics, shipment tracking, warehouse planning, and implement inventory optimization initiatives.
• Supervise procurement of packaging, spare parts, laboratory consumables, PPE, machinery, and operational tools ensuring timely availability.
• Identify, qualify, and develop strategic suppliers, conduct performance audits, and resolve delivery, quality, and commercial challenges.
• Ensure strict compliance with company policies, quality standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare detailed reports analyzing spend, inventory status, supplier performance, and market trends, maintaining accurate procurement documentation.

Requirements

• 7–12 years of proven experience in procurement and supply chain roles within lubricant blending, petrochemical, chemical manufacturing, or specialty chemical industries.
• Bachelor’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Industrial Chemistry, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.
• Professional certifications such as CIPS, CPSM, APICS/CSCP are highly desirable.
• In-depth knowledge of lubricant base oils (Group I through V) and additive technologies.
• Expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier negotiation, inventory management, demand planning, and international procurement procedures.
• Proficiency in ERP systems, preferably SAP, along with advanced Microsoft Excel and procurement analytics skills.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder management abilities.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Arabic is a plus.

Preferred Industry Background

Experience within lubricant manufacturing, blending plants, petrochemical, specialty chemicals, oil & gas chemicals, or industrial chemical production is strongly preferred.