Procurement Officer – Raw Materials

KDD; Kuwait; On-site; KWD 20,000 - 33,000; Full time

Job summary

KDD in Kuwait is seeking an experienced procurement professional to coordinate raw material sourcing, supplier communication, and freight logistics for uninterrupted production. The role supports QA documentation, sustainability initiatives, and new product development procurement.

The ideal candidate has 3–5 years in procurement within food manufacturing, with ERP experience and strong negotiation skills. This position offers a challenging, dynamic sourcing environment in Kuwait.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management or related field.
• Knowledge of food manufacturing materials and supplier markets.
• Understanding of import procedures and international trade.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end procurement for raw materials and production supplies.
• Prepare and process purchase orders with accuracy of specifications, quantities, pricing, and delivery terms.
• Negotiate commercial terms including pricing, payment conditions, Incoterms, and lead times.
• Coordinate with suppliers, freight forwarders, logistics providers, customs agents, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely shipment and delivery.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with food safety requirements, regulatory standards, and company policies.
• Develop and maintain a reliable supplier base for local and international ingredient sourcing.
• Identify, evaluate, and qualify suppliers based on quality standards, pricing, capacity, and delivery performance.

Skills

Procurement

Negotiation

Logistics

Communication

AI tools

Cost analysis

Analytical thinking

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management

Tools

Oracle ERP

MS 365

Job description

Job Purpose

To support raw material and ingredient procurement activities by coordinating supplier communication, purchase processes, documentation, and freight arrangements to ensure timely availability of materials for uninterrupted food manufacturing operations. To support QA related documentation. To support Sustainability initiatives. Support procurement activities for new product development.

To support raw material and ingredient procurement activities by coordinating supplier communication, purchase processes, documentation, and freight arrangements to ensure timely availability of materials for uninterrupted food manufacturing operations. To support QA related documentation. To support Sustainability initiatives. Support procurement activities for new product development.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Sourcing & Development

• Manage end-to-end procurement activities for raw materials and related production supplies.
• Prepare and process purchase orders, ensuring accuracy of specifications, quantities, pricing, and delivery terms.
• Negotiate commercial terms including pricing, payment conditions, Incoterms, and lead times.
• Coordinate with suppliers, freight forwarders, logistics providers, customs agents, and internal stakeholders to ensure timely shipment and delivery.
• Manage international freight arrangements including sea freight, air freight, documentation, and shipment tracking.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with food safety requirements, regulatory standards, and company policies.
• Monitor raw material availability and coordinate with production planning and inventory teams to prevent shortages.
• Develop and maintain a reliable supplier base for local and international ingredient sourcing.
• Identify, evaluate, and qualify suppliers based on quality standards, certifications, pricing, capacity, and delivery performance.
• Review supplier performance and implement improvement actions where required.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Raw material availability and on-time delivery rate (%).
• Purchase order accuracy and processing efficiency.
• Supplier on-time delivery performance (%).
• Procurement cost savings achieved through negotiations and sourcing initiatives.
• Reduction in material shortages and production interruptions.
• Supplier quality performance and rejection rate.
• Compliance with approved supplier lists and food safety requirements.
• Freight cost optimization and shipment efficiency.
• Inventory coverage maintenance
• Timely completion of procurement reports and documentation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Procurement, Business Administration, Food Technology, or a related field.
• Professional certification in procurement or supply chain is an advantage.
• Knowledge of food manufacturing raw materials, ingredients, and supplier markets is preferred.
• Understanding of import procedures, customs documentation, and international trade practices is preferred.

Experience

• Minimum 3-5 years of experience in procurement, preferably within the food manufacturing, FMCG, or related industries.
• Proven experience in sourcing food ingredients and managing raw material suppliers.
• Experience handling international suppliers and overseas shipments.
• Practical experience coordinating freight, logistics, and import documentation.
• Experience using ERP procurement systems (Oracle, or similar) and Microsoft 365/ Microsoft Office.
• Experience in supplier negotiation and cost management.

Required Skills

• Strong procurement and sourcing skills.
• Negotiation and contract management skills.
• International logistics and freight coordination
• Excellent communication and relationship management skills.
• Proficiency in using AI tools relevant to the role.
• Cost analysis and commercial evaluation.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.

Preferred Skills (to Be Attained / Developed)

• Knowledge of food ingredients, specifications, and quality requirements.
• Supplier evaluation and relationship management.
• Understanding of Incoterms, shipping documents, and import processes.
• Understanding of food safety standards and quality systems.
• Knowledge of food safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Knowledge of risk management strategies for global supply chains.
• Understanding of sustainability practices and responsible sourcing.

Behavioral Competencies

• Effective Team Collaboration & Strong Teamwork Skills
• Initiative and proactive approach Adaptability in a dynamic sourcing environment.
• Negotiation Ability
• Analytical thinking.
• Attention to detail.
• Strong organizational skills.
• Commercial awareness.
• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Ownership & Accountability
• Ethical conduct and integrity.