Senior Specialist – Strategic Procurement (CAPEX & OPEX)

JOB PURPOSE/SUMMARY:

The Senior Specialist plays a critical role in the procurement function by working collaboratively with various stakeholders across Sanad to understand high-value and business critical Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) and Operational Expenditure (OPEX) requirements. The role is responsible for sourcing, negotiating with suppliers, processing purchase orders, and ensuring the timely delivery of goods and services. This role also involves vendor performance management to ensure the procurement requirements are met in terms of cost, quality, and delivery.

In addition, the Senior Specialist supports Head and Manager of Strategic Procurement in the execution of complex procurement activities, provides commercial and sourcing guidance to internal stakeholders, and contributes to procurement efficiency and compliance in alignment with organizational policies and operational priorities.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

1.Market Analysis & Intelligence, Sourcing Strategy Formation and Execution (50% of time)

• Understand the needs of requestors and determine appropriate sourcing strategies for CAPEX & OPEX Procurement while ensuring compliance with technical specifications, quality requirements, and organizational policies.
• Lead or manage Request for Proposals (RFPs), Requests for Quotations (RFSs), and competitive bidding processes, ensuring commercial competitiveness and value optimization value in line with the Purchasing Policy and Standard Process Manual.
• Analyze supplier markets, pricing trends, and cost drivers to support informed procurement decisions and identify opportunities for cost optimization, value improvement, or risk mitigation.
• Support negotiation planning and execution for commercial terms, delivery schedules, and contractual conditions to achieve favorable outcomes aligned with business objectives.
• Monitor supplier performance and commercial outcomes of sourcing activities to support continuous improvement and procurement effectiveness.

2. Stakeholders Communication & Reporting (45 % of time)

• Engage with internal stakeholders to clarify procurement requirements, timelines, and commercial considerations, ensuring alignment between operational needs and sourcing approaches.
• Attend meetings and provide structured updates to management and requestors regarding procurement progress, risks, and delivery status of CAPEX and OPEX requirements.
• Build and maintain effective supplier relationships to ensure reliability, responsiveness, and performance in meeting procurement expectations.
• Negotiate with suppliers to obtain optimal pricing, service levels, and contractual terms while balancing cost, quality, and delivery considerations.
• Resolve escalations related to supplier non-performance, delays, or quality concerns through coordination with stakeholders and suppliers.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Projects, Finance, and other Support units/teams to ensure procurement alignment with technical, operational, and budgetary requirements.
• Provide visibility on procurement pipeline, deliverables, risks, and mitigation actions to support planning and decision-making.
• Participate in technical and commercial evaluation committees to support supplier selection and procurement governance processes.
• Support annual budgeting cycles by providing procurement insights, cost estimates, and supplier market inputs related to CAPEX and OPEX requirements.

3.Other Duties (5% of time)

Perform any other duties as required, such as:

• Support special procurement initiatives, cost optimization programs, or cross-functional projects as assigned by management.
• Contribute to the improvement of procurement processes, templates, and documentation practices to enhance efficiency, compliance, and operational effectiveness.
• Provide guidance or knowledge sharing to team members or stakeholders on procurement procedures, supplier engagement practices, or commercial considerations when required.
• Participate in supplier performance reviews, contract renewal discussions, or vendor development activities to support long-term procurement effectiveness.
• Support internal audits, compliance reviews, or documentation requirements related to procurement activities.
• Perform other related responsibilities as assigned, consistent with the scope and seniority of the role.

QUALIFICATIONS, EXPERIENCE AND COMPETENCIES

Minimum Qualifications:

(Education/Certification/Licensure/Professional Membership)

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management (SCM), Purchasing / Procurement, or related discipline.
• Professional certification from the Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS), the Association for Supply Chain Management (APICS), or Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP) is preferred.
• Certification or formal training in aviation regulatory compliance from the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is required.

Minimum Experience:

• 6 to 9 years of progressive experience in strategic or operational purchasing, preferably in the aviation industry.
• Supervisory experience is not required. However, candidates must demonstrate proven experience in leading or managing procurement initiatives, projects, or complex sourcing activities, including coordination with cross-functional stakeholders across Engineering, Operations, Finance, other Support units, or Projects functions.
• Experience in providing guidance, coaching, or knowledge sharing to junior team members on procurement processes, commercial considerations, or supplier engagement practices is considered an advantage.

Job Specific Competencies:

1. Strategic Sourcing & Market Analysis (Advanced)

Proven ability to assess organizational requirements and develop effective sourcing strategies through comprehensive analysis of market trends, supplier capabilities, and pricing structures. This competency supports informed, data-driven decision-making in full alignment with procurement policies, governance frameworks, and compliance requirements, underpinned by strong expertise in Strategic Sourcing, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis, advanced negotiation and contract management, market intelligence, supplier capability assessment, data analytics, cost modeling, performance reporting, and a solid understanding of Incoterms, logistics, and end-to-end supply chain operations.

2.Procurement & Supply Chain Management (Advanced)

Comprehensive understanding of end-to-end procurement processes, from purchase requisition to order placement and tracking, including the management of approvals, coordination of deliveries, and timely receipt of goods and services, while maintaining operational efficiency across logistics and supply chain functions.

3.Stakeholder Engagement & Communication (Advanced)

Demonstrated ability to collaborate effectively with internal stakeholders and external suppliers through clear, proactive, and structured communication, ensuring alignment with procurement requirements, addressing operational concerns, and supporting smooth execution of procurement activities in line with business objective

4.Supplier Relationship Management & Negotiation (Advanced)

Strong capability to establish and maintain strategic supplier partnerships to enhance reliability, performance, and cost-effectiveness, including negotiating competitive pricing, favorable contract terms, and service agreements that support the stability and competitiveness of the supply chain.

5.Quality Assurance & Issue Resolution (Advanced)

Detail-oriented approach to assessing the quality and compliance of procured goods and services, with the ability to promptly identify discrepancies, escalate issues, implement corrective actions with suppliers, and ensure adherence to industry standards and internal procurement guidelines.

6.Research & Data Management (Advanced)

Ability to conduct comprehensive market and vendor research, gather and process supplier documentation accurately, and maintain effective data management practices to support vendor performance monitoring, procurement decision-making, and compliance with organizational requirements.

7.Problem-Solving & Decision-Making (Advanced)

Proactive and analytical approach to addressing procurement-related challenges by evaluating risks, balancing cost and quality considerations, and implementing strategic solutions, enabling effective decision-making in high-value purchasing scenarios and supplier negotiations.

8.Attention to Detail & Compliance (Intermediate to Advanced)

Meticulous approach to ensuring compliance with procurement policies, financial regulations, and documentation standards, including effective contract management, maintenance of audit-ready records, and adherence to best practices to enhance procurement efficiency, transparency, and governance.