Procurement Lead

We are Desertcart, an e-commerce and logistics company based in Dubai, serving customers across 160+ countries worldwide. We are changing the way people shop internationally, making it faster, more reliable, and cheaper, and want you to be a part of it.

Our mission is simple yet profound - we're dedicated to breaking international shopping barriers and making products available globally!

We believe that Desertcart isn't just a workplace; it's a community founded and run by like-minded individuals who thrive on innovation, collaboration, and the pursuit of excellence. Imagine being part of a team that doesn't just envision change but drives it forward.

About the Role:

You will lead efforts to optimise product sourcing for our e-commerce platform. You will focus on reducing costs, building strong supplier relationships, and using data-driven strategies to merchandise products effectively. By working with global suppliers, you will play a key role in improving gross margins, shaping how customers perceive our prices, and driving the overall profitability of the platform.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement Strategy and Operations

1. Lead the development and execution of a comprehensive procurement strategy that aligns with the company's overall business and growth objectives.
2. Oversee the sourcing of products from global suppliers, including wholesalers, niche retailers, and cost-effective manufacturing regions, ensuring a diversified and efficient supply chain.
3. Continuously optimise procurement costs, processes, and supplier relationships to drive operational efficiency and ensure alignment with both category and business goals.
4. Implement and maintain procurement best practices to ensure compliance, quality, and timely product delivery.
5. Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams (product, marketing, and finance) to ensure procurement supports the company's strategic initiatives and contributes to profitability.

Merchandising and Product Management

1. Merchandise products at scale, prioritising high-demand and high-margin categories.
2. Lead efforts to develop private label products and source high-quality unbranded goods to improve margins.
3. Enhance customer perception of pricing through strategic product placement and cost management.
4. Build and maintain strong relationships with category wholesalers and suppliers to access better pricing and volume discounts.
5. Negotiate contracts and terms with global suppliers to ensure cost savings and timely delivery.
6. Evaluate supplier performance regularly to ensure quality and reliability.

Data Analytics and Decision-Making

1. Leverage data analytics to monitor procurement performance, identify cost drivers, and optimise sourcing strategies.
2. Collaborate with data teams to integrate tools for tracking key metrics, such as procurement cost as a percentage of revenue and margins on landed prices.
3. Use analytics to inform merchandising decisions and prioritise higher-margin products in search results.
4. Work closely with technology and development teams to define technical requirements for procurement systems and processes.
5. Brief technical teams on procurement challenges and collaborate to devise solutions that align with business goals, including improving gross margins.
6. Partner with developers to implement automation tools, optimise search algorithms, and create workflows to streamline procurement and merchandising operations.
7. Regularly evaluate system performance and propose enhancements to ensure consistent alignment with profitability targets.

Leadership and Team Development

1. Lead a cross-functional team of procurement specialists and data analysts.
2. Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation, and accountability within the team.
3. Provide mentorship and professional development opportunities to team members.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

1. Identify and onboard new suppliers while managing and negotiating existing relationships.
2. Collaborate with the tech and data teams daily to refine algorithms and sourcing strategies that drive gross margins.
3. Conduct regular briefings with developers to ensure system updates address procurement needs.
4. Monitor key performance metrics and adjust sourcing strategies in real-time.
5. Attend cross-functional meetings with product and marketing teams to align on product launches and merchandising priorities.
6. Solve operational challenges by working with logistics and tech teams to streamline procurement and shipping processes.

Requirements

Experience

1. 8+ years in procurement, supply chain, or merchandise management, with experience in e-commerce or multinational companies.
2. Proven track record of managing global sourcing and supplier relationships, particularly in cost-driven environments.

Skills

1. Strategic Thinking - Ability to align procurement and merchandising strategies with organisational goals.
2. Data-Driven Decision Making - Expertise in analysing and using data to optimise procurement and merchandising.
3. Technical Collaboration - Experience working with developers and technology teams to implement procurement solutions.
4. Negotiation - Strong skills in negotiating supplier contracts and securing collaboration.
5. Collaboration - Experience working cross-functionally with data, marketing, and operations teams.

Education

1. Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. MBA preferred.

Preferred Qualifications

1. Experience in scaling procurement and merchandising functions for tech startups or e-commerce platforms.
2. Familiarity with global trade compliance and tax regulations.
3. Background in developing private label products.

Why Join Us

1. Lead the procurement function of a high-growth, multinational e-commerce platform.
2. Collaborate with a talented team and make a direct impact on profitability and growth.
3. Competitive salary and benefits, with opportunities for career advancement.