Our partners, a leading holding company in the steel industry, manage multiple subsidiaries across Africa specializing in manufacturing, processing, and distribution. They're looking for a Procurement Officer - Mechanical Engineer to be responsible for acquiring mechanical and hydraulic spares for steel manufacturing plants across Africa. The role demands solid expertise in mechanical components, ranging from bearings and gearboxes to hydraulic pumps, and hands-on procurement experience within the steel industry.
Responsibilities
Requirement Consolidation & Technical Review
- Work closely with Maintenance, Operations, and Engineering teams to aggregate and verify mechanical spare parts requirements.
- Assess and confirm the accuracy of technical datasheets, 3D drawings, and OEM reference codes.
Supplier Partnerships & Performance Oversight
- Build and strengthen relationships with OEMs (e.g., SKF, Bosch Rexroth, Eaton) and authorized distributor networks.
- Track supplier performance indicators, including quality issues and delivery punctuality, and initiate corrective actions where needed.
Sourcing Initiatives & Contract Negotiations
- Perform market research to uncover alternative suppliers, including local or regional options, to optimize lead times and procurement costs.
- Lead negotiations on pricing structures, commercial agreements, and long-term contracts to secure favorable procurement terms.
Purchase Order & Delivery Management
- Prepare and oversee purchase orders within the ERP system, ensuring precise alignment with MRP requirements and delivery commitments.
- Liaise with freight partners and customs agents to streamline shipping processes and ensure timely delivery to African facilities.
Budget Tracking & Cost Efficiency Measures
- Monitor mechanical spare parts spending relative to approved budgets and compile monthly expenditure reports.
- Explore and implement cost-reduction opportunities, including volume bundling and supplier consolidation strategies.
Regulatory Compliance & Documentation Control
- Guarantee that all procurement processes align with internal company guidelines, ISO quality standards, and applicable import/export laws.
- Maintain a well-organized system for procurement records, including contracts, technical documents, inspection reports, and warranty files.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a comparable discipline.
- Minimum of 7 years of experience in procuring mechanical and hydraulic components within steel plants or heavy industry settings.
- Proven ability to work directly with OEMs such as SKF, FAG, Timken, Bosch Rexroth, Parker Hannifin, among others.
- Solid experience using ERP systems for procurement processes, with SAP MM considered a strong advantage.
- Exceptional negotiation and supplier management skills, backed by a track record of measurable cost savings.
- Strong technical aptitude, including the ability to interpret P&IDs, read machinery bills of materials (BOMs), and perform Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) evaluations.
- Skilled in communication, with the capability to collaborate effectively with teams across multiple countries and cultures.
- Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel (including pivot tables and VLOOKUP functions) and PowerPoint for reporting.
- Highly organized, self-driven, and adept at managing several procurement projects simultaneously.
- Fluent in English, with knowledge of French or Portuguese considered an asset for supporting operations in diverse regions.
Location
- Dubai, UAE