Senior Purchasing Officer – Food

Job Summary We are seeking an experienced Senior Purchasing Officer – Food & FMCG with a minimum of 8 years of relevant purchasing/procurement experience. The ideal candidate must have strong practical experience in the food trading, FMCG, or food distribution industry, particularly in sourcing and purchasing sugar, flour, chips, frozen food items, and other food commodities. The candidate should be commercially strong, well connected with suppliers, and capable of negotiating competitive prices while ensuring product quality, availability, and timely delivery.

Key Responsibilities

- Manage the complete purchasing and procurement cycle for food and FMCG products.
- Source and purchase sugar, flour, chips, frozen food products, and other food commodities.
- Develop and maintain a strong network of reliable local and international suppliers.
- Identify new suppliers and evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, reliability, capacity, and delivery performance.
- Negotiate product prices, payment terms, credit facilities, contracts, and delivery schedules.
- Regularly monitor market and commodity prices and provide management with relevant market updates.
- Compare supplier quotations and ensure the company obtains competitive purchasing rates.
- Identify and implement cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or supply continuity.
- Prepare purchase orders and follow up with suppliers to ensure timely delivery.
- Coordinate closely with warehouse, logistics, finance, sales, and operations teams.
- Monitor stock levels and purchasing requirements to prevent stock shortages or unnecessary overstocking.
- Ensure appropriate purchasing and delivery arrangements for frozen and temperature-sensitive products, including cold-chain requirements.
- Monitor product shelf life, specifications, quality, and delivery conditions.
- Coordinate import documentation, shipping, customs clearance, and supplier documentation where applicable.
- Monitor supplier performance and resolve pricing, quality, delivery, and commercial issues.
- Maintain accurate purchasing records, supplier databases, quotations, contracts, and reports.
- Prepare regular procurement, supplier performance, and cost analysis reports for management.
- Support the development and implementation of procurement strategies and policies. Mandatory Requirements
- Minimum 8 years of relevant purchasing/procurement experience.
- Food trading, FMCG, or food distribution experience is mandatory.
- Proven experience purchasing sugar, flour, chips, frozen food, or similar food commodities.
- CIPS Level 4 – Mandatory
- CPSM – Mandatory
- ASCM Certification – Mandatory
- Strong supplier network and proven supplier negotiation experience.
- Demonstrated ability to negotiate competitive prices and favorable commercial terms.
- Strong understanding of food commodity pricing and market trends.
- Good knowledge of procurement, inventory management, and supply chain operations.
- UAE purchasing/procurement experience is highly preferred.
- Knowledge of import, shipping, customs, and food-related documentation is an advantage.
- Knowledge of cold-chain requirements and frozen food handling is preferred.
- Strong analytical, commercial, communication, and negotiation skills.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and ERP/procurement systems.
- Ability to work independently, manage multiple suppliers, and meet purchasing deadlines. Education A Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field is preferred. Preferred Candidate Profile
- We are particularly interested in candidates who have:
- Established relationships with food suppliers and distributors.
- Strong knowledge of the UAE food and FMCG purchasing market.
- Experience negotiating large-volume commodity purchases.
- A proven record of cost reduction and supplier optimization.
- Experience handling both local and international sourcing.
- Strong commercial awareness and the ability to make purchasing decisions based on price, quality, demand, stock, and market conditions. Key Skills Food Procurement | FMCG Procurement | Sugar | Flour | Chips | Frozen Food | Commodity Purchasing | Supplier Network | Supplier Management | Price Negotiation | Market Analysis | Cost Saving | Import & Customs | Cold Chain | Inventory Management | Supply Chain | ERP Important: Candidates who do not have CIPS Level 4, CPSM, and ASCM certification or do not have relevant food/FMCG procurement experience may not be considered. Pay: AED7,000.00
- AED10,000.00 per month Work

Location:
In person