Chief Procurement Officer

Confidential Job Opportunity: Chief Procurement Officer (CPO)

Location: Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
Compensation: Competitive executive package
Reports to: CEO

A leading mega-project in KSA is seeking a Chief Procurement Officer (CPO) to lead and optimise the organisation’s comprehensive procurement function. This high-level role involves managing all procurement activities, including personnel, materials, and frameworks, while ensuring governance due to the significant volume of spending.

Role Overview:

The CPO will report directly to the Managing Director and lead the entire procurement strategy, overseeing several key areas:

• Establish and manage independent procurement teams across corporate, development, and delivery functions.
• Drive the creation of a Centre of Excellence to standardize processes and implement best-in-class procurement practices.
• Manage relationships with internal stakeholders (corporate functions, development business units) and external entities (e.g., Public Investment Fund, Royal Court), ensuring alignment with project goals and regulatory compliance.
• Develop and execute procurement strategies across direct and indirect categories (e.g., building materials, IT, marketing), driving cost optimization while ensuring value creation through strategic sourcing and supplier consolidation.
• Maintain a central view on the supply chain and market dynamics, setting company-wide standards for Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) and supplier intelligence.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Procurement Strategy & Governance:
   Develop and implement a comprehensive procurement strategy aligned with the organization's long-term vision. Ensure strict governance frameworks and compliance with local, national, and international regulations.

2. Supply Chain & Category Strategy:
   Lead the development of category strategies, particularly focusing on procurement for critical areas such as building materials and construction services, while also managing indirect categories like IT and marketing.

3. Risk Management & Compliance:
   Implement robust risk management frameworks to identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including market volatility and supplier reliability. Ensure all procurement activities adhere to compliance requirements.

4. Stakeholder Management:
   Build and maintain strong relationships with key stakeholders, both internally and externally, including government entities and international suppliers. Drive localization efforts to meet Local Content and Government Procurement Authority (LCGPA) requirements and support local economic development.

5. Team Leadership & Development:
   Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing procurement organization. Drive a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and excellence in execution.

Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in procurement leadership roles, preferably in large-scale real estate development or construction organizations.
• Strong background in managing complex category strategies and supply chain risk.
• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field. CIPS, CPSM, or CSCP certifications are highly preferred.
• Proven ability to work in cross-functional environments and align differing goals with overall organizational strategy.

This is a highly confidential opportunity, and further details will be shared with shortlisted candidates.