TECHNICAL PROCUREMENT MANAGERS - DEFENCE - ELECTRONICS, EQUIPMENT, MECHANICAL

Duncan & Ross; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading technology and defense firm in the UAE is seeking Technical Procurement Managers to optimize procurement activities and drive cost-efficient sourcing strategies across key categories such as electronics and mechanical parts. Candidates should have a strong background in procurement and experience in the defense sector, with excellent negotiation and analytical skills. This role is pivotal in aligning procurement with engineering teams while ensuring secure supply chains.

Qualifications

• Strong background in category management, technical procurement, and procurement engineering.
• Deep knowledge of electronics equipment and mechanical/structural parts.
• Ability to translate complex engineering specifications into procurement requirements.
• Familiarity with international defense industry standards (e.g. MIL, NATO).
• Strong capability in lifecycle cost analysis and risk assessment.
• Proven experience working cross-functionally with engineering, production, and supply chain teams.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Ability to contribute to long-term procurement strategies and supplier development plans.
• Track record of successful supplier negotiations and cost optimization initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Drive optimization of material and component procurement processes.
• Ensure alignment with international defense industry standards.
• Support documentation of technical requirements and collaborate with internal stakeholders.
• Coordinate requirements and volume collection across business units.
• Contribute to long-term category strategies focusing on supplier optimization.
• Conduct technical and economic feasibility studies for make-or-buy decisions.
• Manage costs throughout the product lifecycle.
• Identify and manage obsolescence risks for critical components.
• Support execution of sourcing strategies and negotiations.

Skills

Procurement Expertise

Technical Understanding

Defense Industry Standards Knowledge

Analytical Skills

Stakeholder Collaboration

Strategic Mindset

Negotiation Skills

Education

Technical background in engineering or supply chain management

Job description

Position Overview

The client a holding company in the technology and defense sector is seeking three (3) Technical Procurement Managers to support the centralization and optimization of procurement activities across multiple entities. The focus will be on driving cost-efficient sourcing strategies and improving procurement performance within the following key categories:

• Electronics electronic components PCBs PCB assemblies sensors detectors etc.
• Equipment optical systems ballistic subsystems mechanical assemblies drone motors etc.
• Mechanical & Structural Parts welded and bended assemblies castings 3D-printed parts etc.

This role will play a critical part in aligning technical procurement with engineering teams and ensuring robust cost-effective and secure supply chains within the defense industry.

Key Responsibilities

Technical Procurement Optimization

• Drive the optimization of material and component procurement processes across the three defined categories.
• Ensure alignment with international defense industry standards (e.g. MIL NATO).

Strategic Sourcing Support

• Support sourcing activities including documentation of technical requirements and close collaboration with internal stakeholders (e.g. engineering production).
• Engage with suppliers to clarify specifications and requirements.

Coordination & Tender Management

• Coordinate requirements and volume collection across multiple business units.
• Support preparation and planning of large-scale tender processes.
• Challenge internal requirements and facilitate harmonization of specifications to ensure consistency.

Supplier Base Management

• Contribute to the development of long‑term category strategies focusing on supplier base optimization and global risk management.
• Evaluate and manage suppliers to maintain a reliable and secure supply chain.

Make‑or‑Buy Analysis

• Conduct technical and economic feasibility studies to support make‑or‑buy decisions considering cost performance and security of supply.

Lifecycle Cost Management

• Analyze and manage costs throughout the product lifecycle including initial procurement maintenance sustainment and disposal phases.

Obsolescence Management

• Identify and manage obsolescence risks for critical components with proactive planning for replacements and upgrades.

Negotiation & Execution

• Support execution of sourcing strategies including supplier negotiations to achieve cost savings and favorable terms.

Required Skills and Qualifications

• Procurement Expertise: Strong background in category management technical procurement and procurement engineering.
• Technical Understanding:
• Deep knowledge of electronics equipment and mechanical/structural parts.
• Ability to translate complex engineering specifications into procurement requirements.
• Defense Industry Standards Knowledge:
• Familiarity with international defense industry standards (e.g. MIL NATO).
• Analytical Skills:
• Strong capability in lifecycle cost analysis and risk assessment.
• Skilled in evaluating technical feasibility for sourcing and make‑or‑buy decisions.
• Stakeholder Collaboration:
• Proven experience working cross‑functionally with engineering production and supply chain teams.
• Excellent communication and documentation skills.
• Strategic Mindset:
• Ability to contribute to long‑term procurement strategies and supplier development plans.
• Negotiation Skills:
• Track record of successful supplier negotiations and cost optimization initiatives.

Ideal Candidate Profile

The ideal candidates will have a technical background preferably in engineering or supply chain management within a defense aerospace or high‑tech manufacturing environment. They should be proactive problem‑solvers with a strategic mindset and the ability to bridge the gap between technical product requirements and procurement execution.

Vertical: Technology