Chief Director of Procurement & Contracts

The Chief Director of Procurement & Contracts leads the full procurement and contracting ecosystem for Oil & Gas operations, ensuring uninterrupted supply of critical materials, drilling equipment, mechanical/electrical spares, EPC services, and project-specific packages. The role oversees strategic sourcing, contract governance, vendor qualification, risk mitigation, and cost optimization while ensuring strict compliance with ARAMCO, SABIC, ADNOC, and international Oil & Gas standards.

Key Responsibilities

1. Strategic Procurement Leadership (Oil & Gas Focus)

• Develop and execute long-term procurement strategies for drilling, refinery, pipeline, and petrochemical operations.
• Lead category management for key spend areas: drilling consumables, valves, pumps, pipes, PPE, MRO materials, instrumentation, mechanical/electrical systems, and EPC service contracts.
• Align procurement activities with major projects (EPC, shutdowns, brownfield, greenfield).
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, HSE, and Project Management teams to forecast material requirements.

2. Supplier & Contractor Management

• Manage high-value international suppliers from the USA, Europe, China, and GCC in accordance with Oil & Gas procurement rules.
• Oversee vendor prequalification for ARAMCO/SABIC compliance (IKTVA, supplier registration, certifications).
• Evaluate vendor performance using KPIs for delivery, quality, HSE compliance, and cost competitiveness.
• Lead negotiations for EPC contracts, long-term supply agreements (LTSAs), frame agreements, and technical service contracts.

3. Oil & Gas Contract Management

• Draft, review, and negotiate contracts for drilling services, refinery maintenance, pipeline construction, MEP works, shutdowns, and technical service agreements.
• Ensure compliance with:
• FIDIC
• ARAMCO Contracting Guidelines
• INCOTERMS 2020
• HSSE requirements
• Local regulatory compliance (ZATCA, SFDA, SASO)
• Implement Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) systems to track renewals, variations, claims, and change orders.
• Mitigate risks related to contract disputes, claims, delays, and liquidated damages.

4. Procurement Operations Excellence

• Oversee purchasing of highly technical materials:
• OCTG (casing, tubing)
• Valves, flanges, compressors
• Process control instruments
• Mechanical/electrical systems
• Chemical and refinery catalysts
• Ensure timely ordering and delivery to support drilling schedules, refinery turnarounds, shutdowns, and maintenance cycles.
• Implement strict quality inspection and material certification requirements (MTC, ITP, QA/QC compliance).
• Optimize procurement lead time, logistics, and customs clearance for international shipments.

5. Financial Control & Cost Optimization

• Manage procurement budgets for major Oil & Gas projects and OPEX/CAPEX requirements.
• Deliver measurable cost savings using:
• TCO (Total Cost of Ownership)
• Market benchmarking
• Strategic sourcing initiatives
• Reverse auctions (when applicable)
• Monitor price trends of critical commodities: steel, chemicals, drilling mud, spare parts, etc.
• Approve procurement requests and contracts based on Delegation of Authority (DOA).

6. Compliance, Risk & Governance

• Ensure full compliance with ARAMCO, SABIC, Ma’aden procurement standards and vendor qualification requirements.
• Develop risk mitigation plans for supply chain disruptions, geopolitical risks, and price fluctuations.
• Ensure strict compliance with HSE, sustainability, and ESG procurement obligations.
• Implement internal controls to prevent fraud, duplicated purchases, and unauthorized sourcing.

7. Leadership & Team Management

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of procurement specialists, buyers, contract engineers, expeditors, and category managers.
• Build capability in technical procurement, contract drafting, and vendor negotiation.
• Foster a culture of integrity, transparency, and continuous improvement.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration, or related field.
• Master’s Degree / MBA preferred.
• 12–18 years experience in Oil & Gas procurement, supply chain, and contract management.
• Strong background with ARAMCO/SABIC/ADNOC procurement processes, prequalification, and technical evaluation.
• Experience in large industrial EPC projects, refinery operations, or drilling supply chain.
• Strong negotiation, commercial, and legal contracting skills.

Key Skills

• Oil & Gas strategic sourcing
• EPC contracting and negotiation
• Vendor prequalification (ARAMCO, SABIC)
• Technical procurement (mechanical, electrical, instrumentation)
• Supply chain risk management
• HSSE compliance
• ERP systems (SAP / Oracle)
• Leadership & stakeholder management
• Cost control & financial analysis