Purchase Manager -IT & Professional Services

Purpose of the job

Develop and drive SADAFCO’s long-term procurement strategy and short-term execution plans for IT & Professional Services, ensuring end-to-end sourcing, contracting, supplier governance, and commercial management across software, SaaS, cloud, infrastructure, cybersecurity, telecommunications, hardware, IT services, subscriptions, consulting, managed services, and other professional services. The role is accountable for delivering business continuity, value creation, risk mitigation, cost optimization, supplier innovation, and strong stakeholder partnership while enabling SADAFCO’s digital transformation and operational excellence agenda.

Key Accountabilities

1.       Scope of work

Responsible for the complete procurement cycle end to end for IT & Professional Services categories including software, SaaS, cloud platforms, infrastructure, cybersecurity, telecom, hardware, enterprise applications, managed services, consulting, implementation partners, outsourcing, subscriptions and other business-critical professional services.

2.       Procurement strategy

Execute and support SADAFCO’s long-term procurement strategy by IT and Professional Services category, defining where to source from, why, when, and under which commercial model, while building 3-year category roadmaps aligned with IT, Digital Transformation, Cybersecurity, Finance, Legal, PMO, and business priorities.

3.       Market & Source profiling

Drive supplier and market profiling for technology OEMs, system integrators, cloud providers, software publishers, cybersecurity vendors, telecom providers, managed service providers, and professional services firms, including new vendor qualification, due diligence, information security reviews, onboarding, and supplier segmentation.

4.       Market Intelligence

Collect global and regional market intelligence on technology trends, cloud commercial models, software licensing, cybersecurity risk, supplier innovation, benchmarking, market disruptions, and best practices from leading FMCG and multinational organizations, then convert the data into actionable sourcing insights and executive recommendations.

Analyze and identify sourcing, renewal, consolidation, license optimization, and total cost of ownership opportunities, evaluating commercial, technology, cybersecurity, implementation, continuity, and supplier dependency risks to help SADAFCO make the right buy, renew, replace, or negotiate decisions.

5.       Procurement policies, guidelines & processes

Develop, plan, implement, maintain, monitor, and continuously improve procurement policies, sourcing governance frameworks, approval workflows, supplier onboarding standards, contract compliance processes, and operating procedures for IT & Professional Services spend.

6.       Bids / Request for Proposal (RFP) / Request for Information (RFI)        

Prepare and issue RFI, RFQ, RFP, bid, and tender documents for IT projects, software subscriptions, cloud services, infrastructure investments, managed services, cybersecurity solutions, implementation partners, consulting assignments, and major professional service contracts.

7.       Cost Comparison, Evaluation and Selection

Prepare commercial evaluation matrices to compare bids based on total cost of ownership, technical fit, service levels, licensing rights, implementation approach, compliance requirements, contractual terms, information security criteria, business continuity expectations, supplier capability, and long-term value.

8.       Cost Modelling & Negotiation

Develop cost models for software, SaaS, cloud, infrastructure, telecom, managed services, and professional services, including license metrics, consumption drivers, implementation effort, support costs, escalation clauses, renewal options, service credits, and benchmark pricing, then apply structured negotiation tactics to achieve targeted savings and risk-balanced commercial outcomes.

9.       Cost reduction projects

Identify and implement cost reduction projects on total cost of ownership basis.  Align internal stakeholders and implement projects in a timely manner.

10.    Contract and agreements

Prepare contract drafts including supply terms and conditions for validation by the legal department before conclusion.   Ensure timely renewal of supply agreements to minimize risk and liability from legal perspective for key products and services.

11.    Annual Budget preparations

Prepare Annual purchase budgets for Preparing an annual IT procurement budget involves reviewing past spending, gathering business requirements, projecting hardware and software renewal cycles, and dividing costs into operational (OpEx) and capital (CapEx) expenses

12.    Supplier Partnerships & Performance monitoring

Develop the supplier performance evaluation matrix so as to assess the suitability of the supplier as per SADAFCO standards. Initiate the process for developing and building strong relationships with such suppliers so as to transform them from standard vendors into reliable supply partners.

13.    Supply Security and Risk Management

Conduct supplier SWOT analysis and develop alternate supplier plans so as to ensure on- time delivery, price stability and consistent quality is maintained at all times.   

14.    Innovation and Launch

Bring in supplier research and development insights for business as and when required.  Support timely innovation & launch of new products into market.

15.    Local Regulation conformity

Understand and implement regulatory requirements as per local law & as communicated by concerned authorities (NDMO / SDAIA, NCA, SFDA / SABER / SASO / ZATCO / Ajeer, etc).

16.    SLA & Timelines:

Negotiate and implement rate agreements.  Manage SLA requirements in timely manner to ensure articles reach the BU on a timely basis.

Job Requirements

·             Education: Preferabley an - MBA / Post Graduate.

·             Specific diploma/education: CIPS, CIPP qualification (preferable)

·             Minimal experience: Mandatory 6 years in procurement of IT & Professional services in the FMCG, BFSI or other manufacturing industry.

·             Languages: Fluent in English & Arabic

·             Experience of using ERP systems

·             Good knowledge of MS-Office, Power BI

Job Competencies

·             Negotiation skills & cost modelling

·             Product and Supply market knowledge (Global, Regional & Local)

·             Strategic and Tactical buying knowledge

·             Knowledge of purchasing methods, procedures and standards.

·             Project management

·             Ability to build positive and close client working relationships.

·             Contract development

·             Understanding of entire supply chain and business functions and its relation with procurement.

Job Competencies

·             Negotiation skills & cost modelling

·             Product and Supply market knowledge (Global, Regional & Local)

·             Strategic and Tactical buying knowledge

·             Knowledge of purchasing methods, procedures and standards.

·             Project management

·             Ability to build positive and close client working relationships.

·             Contract development

·             Understanding of entire supply chain and business functions and its relation with procurement.