Purchasing Manager (Food Retail)

This opportunity is with one of our clients in Dubai, who operate one of the largest fresh fruits and vegetables markets in the UAE.

The Purchasing Manager is responsible for developing and executing procurement strategies to source food products, packaging, and related supplies for the retail chain. The role involves supplier management, contract negotiation, cost control, and ensuring a steady and timely supply of quality goods across all retail locations. This role is critical in maintaining inventory availability, supporting promotional planning, and upholding food safety standards.

Department: Procurement / Supply Chain

Reports To: General Manager

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management:

• Identify, evaluate, and manage relationships with suppliers and vendors for food and non-food retail products.
• Develop long-term partnerships and negotiate contracts to secure competitive pricing and reliable supply.

Purchasing Operations:

• Manage daily procurement operations, including placing purchase orders, tracking deliveries, and ensuring accurate documentation.
• Monitor stock levels and forecast demand to avoid shortages or excess inventory.

Cost Control & Budgeting:

• Analyze market trends and commodity pricing to make cost-effective purchasing decisions.
• Maintain and optimize the purchasing budget, ensuring adherence to cost targets and profit margins.

Quality Assurance:

• Ensure that all purchased products meet the company’s quality, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Work closely with the Quality Assurance and Food Safety teams to audit and monitor supplier performance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with category managers, store managers, and warehouse teams to understand product needs and plan inventory accordingly.
• Support marketing and operations in planning seasonal promotions and product launches.

Systems & Reporting:

• Utilize procurement software and ERP systems for purchasing and inventory management.
• Generate regular reports on supplier performance, costs, order accuracy, and delivery times.

Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Food Science, or related field.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in a procurement or purchasing role within the food retail or FMCG sector.
• Strong negotiation skills with proven experience in contract management.
• In-depth knowledge of food supply chain, perishables, and inventory control.
• Proficient in procurement software (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and MS Office tools.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and leadership skills.
• Knowledge of food safety regulations (e.g., HACCP, FDA, local standards) is a plus.