Merchandising and Raw Material Sourcing Specialist

Independent Food Company; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A growing hospitality company in Dubai seeks a Merchandising and Raw Material Sourcing Specialist to manage sourcing and procurement of raw materials. This role focuses on supplier management, market trend analysis, and cost management, ensuring high-quality material availability for production. The ideal candidate will have relevant experience and strong negotiation skills, contributing to the efficiency and success of multiple food concepts under the company's umbrella.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in sourcing and procurement in a food or retail context.
• Strong analytical skills to conduct market and trend analysis.
• Excellent negotiation skills and supplier management experience.

Responsibilities

• Identify and select suppliers for raw materials, ensuring quality and cost-effectiveness.
• Conduct market research to ensure merchandise assortment is appealing.
• Build relationships with suppliers and manage inventory levels.

Skills

Negotiation

Market Research

Inventory Management

Supplier Relationship Management

Cost Analysis

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Business or related field

Job description

Driven to create unique home-grown food concepts that bring people together, the Independent Food Company is a UAE-based hospitality company with multiple concepts under its umbrella – SALT, Switch, Parker’s, Grind, Somewhere and Public.

We are currently seeking to hire an experienced Merchandising and Raw Material Sourcing Specialist is responsible for managing the sourcing and procurement of raw materials required for production, as well as ensuring that the merchandise selection aligns with market trends, quality standards, and customer preferences. This role involves collaborating with suppliers & Art directors to ensure that the right materials are available on time and at competitive prices. The specialist also plays a key role in optimizing inventory levels, negotiating with vendors, and maintaining cost-efficiency across the Production Department.

Key Responsibilities:

Raw Material Sourcing and Procurement:

1. Identify, evaluate, and select suppliers for raw materials, ensuring quality, cost-effectiveness, and timely delivery.

2. Negotiate pricing, contracts, and terms with vendors to optimize material costs while maintaining high standards of quality and sustainability.

3. Coordinate with supplier and design teams to ensure the availability of raw materials for ongoing and upcoming projects.

4. Source a variety of raw materials, including textiles, chemicals, metals, plastics, and other components, depending on the product and industry.

Merchandise Selection and Trend Analysis:

1. Conduct market research and analyze trends to ensure the merchandise assortment remains relevant and appealing to target customers.

2. Track competitor products and industry developments to ensure the company’s merchandise offering is competitive and innovative.

Supplier Relationship Management:

1. Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure reliable and consistent sourcing of raw materials.

2. Regularly review supplier performance, ensuring quality standards and delivery timelines are consistently met.

3. Address to the production & development manager any supplier-related issues such as delays, quality concerns, or pricing disputes, working to resolve them in a timely and efficient manner.

Inventory Management and Demand Planning:

1. Maintain optimal inventory levels to prevent stockouts or overstocking, minimizing the risk of production delays and unnecessary storage costs.

2. Monitor raw material consumption and recommend adjustments to inventory levels based on trends, seasonal demand, and production schedules.

Cost Management and Budgeting:

1. Develop and manage budgets for raw materials and merchandising costs, ensuring that procurement is within financial guidelines.

2. Analyze cost structures and identify opportunities for cost reduction, including bulk purchasing, alternative materials, or improved supplier contracts.

3. Provide regular reports on material costs, savings, and vendor performance to management.

Collaboration and Coordination:

1. Work closely with the art directors and production manager to understand material requirements, lead times, and specifications.

2. Act as a liaison between the merchandising and procurement tasks to ensure seamless communication and alignment of sourcing strategies with merchandising goals.

3. Coordinate the timely delivery of raw materials to meet production deadlines and avoid disruptions.