Procurement Manager

About the Role

Business Umbrella is seeking a highly skilled and experienced Procurement Manager to join a prestigious education group (comprising schools and universities) in Saudi Arabia. This is a critical leadership position based in Jeddah, reporting directly to the Supply Chain Director. The ideal candidate will be a Saudi national with a proven track record in strategic procurement within the education sector, ensuring seamless operations and cost-effective procurement solutions across all campuses.

Job Purpose

As the Procurement Manager, you will play a pivotal role in driving the strategic sourcing and purchasing of academic and operational goods and services across multiple campuses. Your responsibilities will include ensuring procurement activities are cost-effective, compliant with regulatory standards, and delivered in a timely manner to support uninterrupted teaching and campus operations. You will act as a key liaison between the education group and external vendors, fostering strong supplier relationships while optimizing procurement processes to achieve operational excellence.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing Leadership: Oversee the procurement of essential academic supplies, IT and laboratory equipment, furniture, catering services, and facilities management across all campuses.
• Tender and RFP/RFQ Management: Lead the development and execution of tender processes, including the preparation of Request for Proposal (RFP) and Request for Quotation (RFQ) documentation, as well as supplier selection to ensure the best value for the institution.
• Contract Negotiation: Engage with local and international vendors to negotiate favorable commercial terms, ensuring alignment with budgetary constraints and quality standards.
• Supplier Management: Maintain a comprehensive approved vendor list and conduct regular performance evaluations to ensure suppliers meet contractual obligations and performance benchmarks.
• ERP System Oversight: Utilize and manage procurement data within enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, such as SAP MM or Oracle Procurement, to streamline purchase order (PO) processing and enhance operational efficiency.
• Cost Optimization: Drive cost-saving initiatives and contribute to annual procurement budget planning to maximize resource allocation and financial sustainability.
• Risk Management: Assess and mitigate supplier-related risks, including financial stability, single-source dependencies, and compliance with regulatory requirements.
• Reporting and Analytics: Provide monthly reports to the Supply Chain Director, including detailed spend analysis, savings achievements, and supplier key performance indicators (KPIs) to support data-driven decision-making.

Qualifications & Experience

• Educational Background: Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Professional Experience: Minimum of 5-10 years of progressive procurement experience, with at least 2-3 years in a managerial or leadership role.
• Certifications: Professional certifications such as CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply) or CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) are highly desirable.
• Sector Expertise: Prior experience in the education sector is strongly preferred, with a deep understanding of the unique procurement challenges and requirements of academic institutions.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in both Arabic and English is essential to effectively communicate with stakeholders and vendors.
• Nationality Requirement: This position is exclusively open to Saudi nationals, as mandated by the employer.

Compensation & Benefits

The successful candidate will receive a competitive monthly salary ranging from SAR 15,000 to SAR 25,000, commensurate with the size and scope of the education group. In addition to the base salary, the role includes standard allowances and benefits aligned with industry benchmarks for procurement professionals within the GCC education sector. This comprehensive compensation package reflects the organization’s commitment to attracting and retaining top-tier talent in the field of educational procurement.