Assistant Procurement Manager

Assistant Procurement Manager – Construction, Contracting & Fit-Out

Function / Entity: Procurement

Location: Abu Dhabi, UAE

Reports To: Senior Manager – Supply Chain

Type: Full-Time

Fluency in Arabic is a must

Support and manage end-to-end procurement activities across projects and business operations, ensuring the timely sourcing of quality suppliers, contractors, materials and services.

The role will support tendering, commercial negotiation, supplier management and contract administration while helping deliver cost efficiency, mitigate procurement risks and support successful project delivery.

What Makes This Role Unique

• Exposure to procurement across a diverse range of projects and business activities
• Opportunity to work closely with commercial, technical and project teams
• Involvement in tendering, supplier selection and commercial negotiations
• Exposure to construction, contracting, fit-out, MEP and civil procurement
• Opportunity to contribute to cost optimisation and supplier strategy
• Role within a dynamic and growing organisation

Key Responsibilities

Procurement & Sourcing

• Support procurement activities across projects, including construction, fit-out, MEP, civil works and other business requirements
• Support the development of sourcing strategies aligned with project timelines and business objectives
• Identify, evaluate and onboard suppliers, contractors and service providers
• Maintain and update supplier and vendor databases
• Research market conditions, pricing and supplier availability
• Support procurement planning and ensure requirements are sourced in a timely manner

Tendering & Contracting

• Coordinate RFQs, RFPs and competitive tender processes
• Manage tender documentation, clarifications and supplier communication
• Coordinate site visits and meetings where required
• Support the evaluation of technical and commercial submissions
• Prepare comparison sheets and procurement recommendations
• Support commercial negotiations on pricing, delivery timelines and contractual terms
• Assist with contract award and administration alongside legal, commercial and project teams

Project Procurement

• Support the timely procurement of materials, equipment, services and specialist requirements
• Coordinate procurement activities against project schedules and milestones
• Monitor supplier and contractor delivery commitments
• Follow up on outstanding orders and procurement issues
• Escalate procurement risks or delays that may impact project delivery
• Work closely with project and technical teams to understand procurement requirements

Commercial Management & Cost Optimisation

• Support cost analysis, price comparisons and market benchmarking
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and value optimisation
• Assist with budget planning, forecasting and expenditure tracking
• Support the review of variations, claims and commercial issues
• Maintain accurate procurement records and reporting

Supplier Relationship & Governance

• Build and maintain effective relationships with suppliers and contractors
• Support supplier performance monitoring and KPI tracking
• Assist with supplier onboarding, prequalification and documentation
• Ensure procurement processes follow company policies and governance requirements
• Support the resolution of supplier issues and disputes

Value Creation

The successful candidate will help to:

• Deliver cost-effective procurement outcomes
• Improve supplier performance and reliability
• Support timely project delivery
• Strengthen procurement processes and governance
• Improve supplier and market intelligence
• Identify opportunities for cost savings and value optimisation

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Construction Management, Quantity Surveying or a related discipline
• 5–8 years experience in procurement, purchasing or sourcing
• Experience with RFQs, RFPs, tenders and supplier evaluation
• Experience in commercial negotiation and contract administration
• Strong supplier/vendor management experience
• Good understanding of procurement processes and governance
• Construction, contracting, fit-out, MEP, civil works or other project-based procurement experience is preferred but not essential
• UAE procurement or supplier market experience is advantageous
• CIPS, CPSM or equivalent certification is preferred

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will be a commercially minded procurement professional who is comfortable managing multiple suppliers and procurement activities, coordinating tenders and RFQs, negotiating with vendors and working closely with project and business stakeholders.

• Experience within construction or project-based procurement would be highly beneficial, but candidates from other procurement environments with strong tendering, supplier management and commercial experience should also be considered.