Procurement Manager - Interior Fit-Out / MEP / Joinery

Location: Dubai, UAE

Salary: AED 18,000 - 22,000 per month

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Procurement Manager to lead and develop our procurement function while supporting the successful delivery of multiple high-profile interior fit-out projects across the UAE.

This is a key leadership role within the business and is suited to a commercially astute, technically strong procurement professional with extensive UAE fit-out experience. The successful candidate will be responsible for managing the full procurement lifecycle across interior fit-out, joinery, MEP, FF&E, and specialist packages, while leading a small procurement team and remaining actively involved in day-to-day procurement activities.

Unlike a purely managerial position, this role requires a proactive individual who can personally manage critical procurement packages, negotiate with suppliers and subcontractors, drive value engineering initiatives, and ensure procurement strategies support project delivery, program requirements, and commercial objectives.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement Leadership & Team Management

Lead and manage the procurement department, initially overseeing a team of two.
Develop procurement processes, systems, reporting structures, and accountability measures.
Mentor, support, and develop procurement team members as the business grows.
Drive a culture of commercial awareness, accountability, and continuous improvement.

Project Procurement Management

Manage procurement activities across multiple live fit-out projects simultaneously.
Review project drawings, specifications, BOQs, procurement schedules, and material requirements upon project award.
Develop and maintain procurement schedules, long-lead item trackers, subcontractor award schedules, and material procurement logs.
Ensure procurement activities align with project programs and delivery milestones.
Identify procurement risks early and implement mitigation strategies.

Supplier & Subcontractor Management

Source, evaluate, negotiate, and appoint suppliers and subcontractors for fit-out, joinery, MEP, and specialist packages.
Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, vendors, manufacturers, and subcontractors across the UAE.
Assess supplier capability, capacity, financial stability, and performance before award.
Maintain and continuously improve approved supplier and subcontractor databases.

Commercial & Technical Procurement

Personally manage high-value, technically complex, urgent, or program -critical procurement packages.
Issue enquiries, evaluate quotations, conduct commercial and technical comparisons, negotiate pricing, and finalize awards.
Benchmark supplier and subcontractor pricing against current market rates to protect project margins.
Negotiate payment terms, warranties, delivery commitments, after-sales support, and contractual obligations.
Identify and implement value engineering opportunities without compromising quality or compliance.

Technical Compliance & Coordination

Review technical submittals, samples, datasheets, and compliance documentation.
Ensure all procurement packages comply with project specifications, authority requirements, and client expectations.
Challenge specifications where appropriate and propose alternative materials, suppliers, or solutions.
Coordinate closely with Project Management, Commercial, Design, Planning, Site, and Finance teams to ensure procurement priorities are achieved.

Reporting & Process Improvement

Provide regular procurement reports to senior management covering procurement status, risks, savings, delays, and vendor performance.
Support tendering activities by providing current market intelligence, supplier quotations, subcontractor pricing, and value engineering options.
Reduce uncontrolled buying, last-minute sourcing, and procurement-related project delays.

Required Experience

Minimum 10 years of procurement experience, preferably within the UAE construction and fit-out industry.
Significant experience in interior fit-out procurement within the UAE market.
Previous experience as a Procurement Manager, Senior Procurement Manager, Procurement Lead, or similar role.
Demonstrated experience managing procurement across multiple fast-track projects simultaneously.
Experience leading and developing procurement teams.
Strong hands-on procurement experience with direct involvement in sourcing, negotiation, and package award processes.
UAE experience is mandatory.

You are not the right candidate if you:

Only worked in general construction procurement
Have no UAE fit-out experience
Have only Buyer / Procurement Officer experience
Only raise LPOs and process paperwork
Lack MEP knowledge
Cannot discuss suppliers and subcontractors in the UAE
Have never managed a procurement team
Are purely managerial and not operational