Food Procurement Manager

Key Responsibilities

Category Procurement & Sourcing:

• Responsible for the development, evaluation, and negotiation with suppliers for designated food categories (excluding fresh produce and fruits/vegetables), including international brand agency, OEM/ODM collaboration, and local supplier management.
• Deeply explore high-quality food manufacturing resources in China and globally, selecting products tailored to Middle Eastern market tastes (Halal certification, sweetness levels, spice preferences, etc.).
• Formulate and execute procurement strategies to ensure competitive purchasing costs and achieve the company's gross margin targets.

Supply Chain & Compliance Management:

• Ensure all imported food products comply with UAE and GCC (Gulf Cooperation Council) food safety standards (e.g., ESMA, SFDA, GSO, etc.).
• Lead the acquisition and maintenance of Halal certification, and handle related customs clearance documents and label reviews.
• Monitor international logistics and customs clearance progress, optimize inventory turnover, and manage strategies for near-expiry and slow-moving products.

Market Insights & Product Selection:

• Analyze food consumption trends in the Middle East market and identify emerging category opportunities (e.g., health foods, functional beverages, Asian specialty condiments, etc.).
• Conduct regular visits to supermarkets (e.g., Carrefour, Lulu, Spinneys), wholesale markets, and trade shows (e.g., Gulfood) for competitor research and price benchmarking.

Cross-functional Collaboration:

• Collaborate with operations and marketing teams to develop new product launch plans and promotional strategies.
• Manage the procurement budget, and regularly report on procurement performance and cost savings.

Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years of procurement experience in the food industry. Background in imported food, cross-border e-commerce, or large-scale retail enterprises is preferred.
• Location: Familiarity with Middle East (GCC) food regulations and consumer habits; local work experience in Dubai or current residency in Dubai is preferred.
• Category: Experience in procuring ambient food categories such as snacks, condiments, beverages, grains, and cooking oils (no involvement with fresh produce or fruits/vegetables).
• Language Skills: Fluent English communication skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing); proficiency in Arabic or Chinese is a plus.
• Core Skills:Familiar with Incoterms and cross-border logistics processes.
• Possess excellent negotiation skills and cost analysis capabilities.
• Hands-on experience with Halal certification processes and Middle East food labeling regulations.