Purchasing Director

Arbete Careers; Jeddah; On-site; SAR 200,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Arbete Careers is seeking a Purchasing Director in Jeddah to lead the purchasing strategy across various categories including fresh produce and dry goods. This role is commercially critical, emphasizing market sourcing with a substantial field presence.

The ideal candidate will possess over 7 years of experience in purchasing, preferably within the FMCG sector in Saudi Arabia, and should have a robust supplier network within the region.

Key responsibilities include negotiating with suppliers, defining purchasing strategy, and ensuring supplier performance meets company standards.

Qualifications

• 7+ years in purchasing / procurement / category management.
• Minimum 3 years in FMCG / grocery / e-commerce in Saudi Arabia.
• Strong supplier network in Jeddah and KSA.
• Proven direct sourcing from local producers.

Responsibilities

• Define and execute purchasing strategy across all categories.
• Build supplier portfolio while prioritizing SMEs.
• Scout artisanal and niche producers.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, rebates and exclusivities.
• Monitor sell-through and purchasing volumes.

Skills

Negotiation

Commercial acumen

Entrepreneurial mindset

Arabic fluent

English business proficiency

Education

Bachelor's in Business, Supply Chain, Economics or related

CIPS

Tools

Odoo

SAP

Excel

Job description

Position Name: Purchasing Director

One of our clients in the FMCG industry is looking for a Purchasing Director to lead their end-to-end purchasing strategy across fresh produce, dry goods, dairy, frozen, household and personal care. This role is commercially critical: assortment differentiation, supplier reliability and purchase cost directly determine gross margins and customer experience. This is not a traditional office‑based procurement role focused only on distributors and negotiation. The role requires a strong field‑oriented sourcing mindset with direct exposure to local farms, artisanal producers, homegrown brands, micro‑manufacturers and independent suppliers. The ideal candidate should operate as a market seeker: spending approximately 70% of time in the market and 30% in the office.

Department: Purchasing
Reports to: General Manager
Location: Jeddah, Saudi Arabia

Employment Type: Full‑Time, Permanent

Preferred Nationality / Visa: Saudi preferred due to local market alignment and localization requirements; exceptional non‑Saudi profiles considered

Direct Reports: Purchasing Assistant

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Define and execute purchasing strategy across all categories for the Jeddah dark store.
• Build supplier portfolio across KSA while prioritising SMEs.
• Scout artisanal and niche producers, farms, family businesses and specialty makers.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, rebates and exclusivities.
• Coordinate replenishment and stock planning.
• Monitor sell‑through and purchasing volumes.
• Conduct supplier performance reviews.
• Onboard suppliers with SFDA documentation verification.
• Identify seasonal opportunities and promotional stock.
• Benchmark premium retailers locally and internationally.

REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor's in Business, Supply Chain, Economics or related. CIPS is an advantage.

Experience

• 7+ years in purchasing / procurement / category management.
• Minimum 3 years in FMCG / grocery / e‑commerce in Saudi Arabia.
• Strong supplier network in Jeddah and KSA.
• Proven direct sourcing from local producers.

Technical Skills

• Odoo, SAP or equivalent ERP.
• Demand forecasting.
• Excel analysis and dashboards.
• SFDA compliance.
• Supplier contract management.

Soft Skills

• Negotiation.
• Commercial acumen.
• Entrepreneurial mindset.
• Arabic fluent; English business proficiency.
• Startup agility.

WORKING CONDITIONS

• Saturday – Thursday, 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
• Frequent supplier visits across Jeddah and wider Saudi Arabia
• On‑site with regular sourcing travel