Manager – Vendor Affairs, Procurement (UAE-National)

Manager – Vendor Affairs, Procurement (UAEN)

Role Overview

The Manager – Vendor Affairs, Procurement will be responsible for managing vendor relationships, supplier engagement, and procurement activities across the UAE and GCC. The role focuses on building strong local supplier partnerships, ensuring regulatory compliance, and delivering cost-effective and value-driven procurement outcomes.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement vendor management and sourcing strategies aligned with organizational procurement objectives.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with local and regional suppliers to ensure long-term collaboration and performance.
• Lead supplier negotiations across the UAE and GCC to achieve optimal commercial and contractual terms.
• Ensure full compliance with UAE and GCC regulatory frameworks, procurement policies, and internal governance standards.
• Act as the primary point of contact for all vendor-related matters, ensuring effective coordination between internal stakeholders and external suppliers.
• Oversee vendor onboarding, due diligence, and compliance checks in line with organizational standards.
• Monitor and evaluate vendor performance using KPIs, SLAs, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate risks across the vendor and supply ecosystem, including operational and commercial risks.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as finance, legal, and operations to ensure smooth contract execution and procurement processes.
• Analyze market trends, supplier pricing, and category dynamics within the UAE and GCC region.
• Ensure alignment of vendor strategies with business requirements, balancing cost efficiency, quality, and service delivery.
• Maintain strong governance over procurement activities and ensure transparency in vendor dealings.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, or related field.
• 8+ years of experience in procurement or vendor management, preferably within UAE/GCC markets.
• Strong expertise in supplier negotiations, contract management, and vendor relationship management.
• Good understanding of UAE/GCC procurement regulations and compliance requirements.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills.
• Analytical mindset with ability to evaluate supplier performance and market trends.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams in a complex organizational environment.