Senior Procurement Manger

Role & responsibilities

• Lead and own the end-to-end procurement strategy for Africa operations.
• Conduct continuous price and cost analysis across raw materials, packaging and finished-goods inputs to identify savings and manage cost volatility.
• Identify, evaluate and onboard new vendors across origin markets, with a strong focus on beverage raw materials and packaging suppliers.
• Manage sourcing and procurement of packaging materials glass bottles, PET bottles, cans, labels, caps/closures, cartons and shippers ensuring quality, cost and supply continuity.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, credit terms and contracts with international suppliers to secure the best commercial outcomes.
• Build and maintain a strong vendor network across relevant sourcing geographies, and develop backup/alternate vendors to mitigate supply risk.
• Track and analyse market trends, commodity price movements and currency fluctuations affecting procurement costs, and advise leadership accordingly.
• Coordinate closely with logistics, shipping and clearing teams to ensure timely delivery of materials to African distribution points.
• Own supplier performance management — quality, lead time and reliability — and drive corrective action where required.
• Develop and implement procurement policies, SOPs and approval workflows for the department.
• Manage procurement budgets and report on cost savings, vendor performance and category strategy to senior management.
• Build, lead and mentor a procurement team as the function scales.
• Collaborate with production, quality, finance and sales teams to align procurement plans with business and demand forecasts.
• Ensure all sourcing and vendor practices comply with company policy and relevant regulatory requirements in both UAE and African markets of operation.

Preferred candidate profile

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or related field; MBA or equivalent is a plus.
• 10+ years of progressive procurement/sourcing experience, with at least 5 years in a senior or head-of-department capacity.
• Beverage industry experience is mandatory, including hands-on procurement of packaging materials (glass, PET, cans, labels, caps, cartons).
• Prior experience procuring for or managing supply chains into African markets is strongly preferred.
• Established vendor network within the beverage and packaging supply industry.
• Strong commercial acumen with proven skill in price/cost benchmarking, negotiation and contract management.
• Experience managing multi-currency, multi-country procurement and associated risk (FX, logistics, customs).
• Demonstrated leadership experience — able to run the department independently and be the final point of ownership for procurement decisions.
• Willingness and ability to travel frequently across African markets.
• Excellent analytical, negotiation and stakeholder management skills, with fluent English communication.