Procurement Specialist - Events

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

Job summary

A UAE-based hospitality company is seeking a Procurement Specialist for Events to manage the procurement for brand activations and events. The ideal candidate will have over 3 years of experience in event-focused procurement and a strong network of suppliers in Dubai. This role involves strategic sourcing, negotiation, and supply chain management to ensure events meet high-quality standards. The position requires exceptional negotiation skills, and proficiency in ERP systems as well as advanced Excel.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in procurement focused on events, exhibitions, or high-end hospitality in the UAE.
• Strong network of Dubai-based suppliers.
• Exceptional negotiation skills and ability to work under pressure.

Responsibilities

• Identify and vet reliable vendors for event needs.
• Negotiate contracts and pricing to maximize value.
• Manage end-to-end procurement process.
• Conduct site visits and quality checks.
• Build and maintain a database of reliable partners.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Vendor relations

Attention to detail

Supply chain management

Tools

ERP systems (Oracle, SAP)

Advanced Excel

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, Parker’s, Grind, Somewhere, Public, Soil and Kumo.

We are presently seeking to hire a highly qualified Procurement Specialist - Events responsible for the event operations. Your mission is to source, negotiate, and secure the best materials, equipment, and services needed to bring our brand activations and events to life. You will work closely with the Events and Creative teams to ensure everything is delivered on time, within budget, and meets our high-quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing: Identify and vet reliable vendors for event‑specific needs, including custom furniture, branding/signage, AV equipment, and specialized kitchen rentals.
• Negotiation & Cost Control: Negotiate contracts and pricing with suppliers to maximize value without compromising on the quality Independent Food Company is known for.
• Supply Chain Management: Manage the end-to-end procurement process, from issuing RFQs (Request for Quotations) and LPOs to tracking deliveries and reconciling invoices.
• Quality Assurance: Conduct site visits and quality checks on fabricated items or rented equipment to ensure they align with our brand aesthetics.
• Vendor Relations: Build and maintain a robust database of reliable partners and freelancers who can deliver under tight "event-mode" deadlines.

Requirements

• Experience: 3+ years in procurement, specifically focused on events, exhibitions, or high-end hospitality in the UAE.
• Market Knowledge: A strong existing network of Dubai-based suppliers (fabricators, printers, rental houses).
• Technical Skills: Proficiency in ERP systems (like Oracle or SAP) and advanced Excel for budget tracking.
• Attributes: Exceptional negotiation skills, a sharp eye for detail, and the ability to work under pressure with short lead times.