Procurement Executive
Job Description
<p><strong>WHO WE ARE</strong></p><p>Pure Harvest Smart Farms is a UAE-based, high-tech agriculture start-up. We develop and operate high-tech, climate-controlled farms to grow a variety of crops and sell our products directly into the markets in which we operate. In early-2018 we successfully deployed our first-ever farm in Nahel, Al Ain growing a wide variety of flavourful tomatoes that “<em>Taste Like They Should</em><sup> TM</sup>”. Our products are selling-out at major retailers in the UAE and are consumed at an assortment of elite restaurants & hotels. Our brand is associated with incredibly tasty produce and we are quickly building a loyal and vocal customer base. We are now expanding into new crops (strawberries and leafy greens) and into new geographies (Saudi Arabia, Kuwait). Technology, data, and innovation are core to our ethos, and we aim to redefine the Middle Eastern agricultural sector. We are passionate about what we do, and we are believers in the growth potential of the company. Our team is multi-cultural (American, European, African, Middle Eastern, South Asian), and our backgrounds diverse (horticulture, engineering, private equity, management consulting, retail, marketing, etc.). Never a boring day at Pure Harvest.</p><p> </p><p>In recognition of regional vulnerabilities associated with food import dependence, water scarcity and sustainability, Pure Harvest is committed to resource efficiency and to overcoming climate challenges to affordably deliver premium quality fresh produce to the Middle East.</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><strong>WHO YOU ARE</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p>Pure Harvest is redefining its commercial relationships with vendors by exploring and executing innovative strategies in its daily procurement efforts. Pure Harvest is looking to staff up its operations’ commercial function with an experienced and analytical individual to ensure successful day to day operations.</p><p> </p><p>You are responsible for the support of operation activities including but not limited to procurement, commercial analysis, purchase order issuance and supplier management for the business. Your main target is to ensure all operations needs are catered for including management of tender processes, analysis of vendor data & recommendation for awards, managing internal approvals of purchase commitment, managing commercial relationship with external vendors to ensure orders are delivered within timeline and budget with the highest quality standards. Your role is truly dynamic + demanding – you are a key member of the operations team and work closely with all stakeholders to overcome existing challenges and build a successful business. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record of procuring goods and services in a fast paced environment.</p><p> </p><p>You enjoy challenges, are flexible, can work long/ irregular hours (when required), and you can deal with ambiguity/ ever-changing demands on your time & productive capacity. You are eager to learn and develop in a fast-growing start-up. </p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>FUNDAMENTAL RESPONSIBILITIES</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><ul><li><span>Analyse procurement requirements, identify potential suppliers, and evaluate their capabilities.</span></li><li><span>Identify and evaluate potential suppliers, negotiate contracts, and establish long-term relationships.</span></li><li><span>Conduct supplier performance reviews to ensure adherence to quality, delivery, and cost requirements. Maintain accurate records of purchases, contracts, and supplier information.</span></li><li><span>Resolve supplier-related issues promptly and effectively, fostering a positive supplier relationship.</span></li><li><span>Process purchase requisitions and ensure timely delivery of goods and services.</span></li><li><span>Source and evaluate suppliers based on price, quality, availability, and reliability. Implement procurement best practices to optimize efficiency and minimize risks.</span></li><li><span>Monitor market trends, identify cost-saving opportunities, and negotiate pricing and terms with suppliers.</span></li><li><span>Collaborate with relevant stakeholders to determine inventory levels, forecast demand to prevent stockouts and replenish requirements.</span></li></ul><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>YOUR COMPETENCIES – CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS</strong></p><p><span> </span></p><p><strong>Problem solving:</strong></p><ul><li><span>Make decisions based on data-driven rigorous analysis.</span></li><li><span>Ability to think creatively “out of the box” with a track record of providing and executing solutions technically and commercially acceptable.</span></li><li><span>Strong sense of logic and sanity-check. You eliminate excuses and own outcomes.</span></li></ul><p><span> </span></p><p><strong>Coordination & execution:</strong></p><ul><li><span>Ability to manage multiple stakeholders of across different industries and skill levels.</span></li><li><span>Extremely organized and attentions to detail allowing for work to be easily audited and reviewed.</span></li><li><span>Master communicator and over-communicating. Regularly update working groups with latest developments to keep everyone in synch.</span></li><li><span>“Scrappy”; you can do a lot with limited-to-no resources. No task is beneath you.</span></li></ul><p><span> </span></p><p><strong>Task-to-project ownership:</strong></p><ul><li><span>Complete ownership over your work and ability to work independently without the need for regular supervision. You are known for being self-managing and resourceful. </span></li><li><span> Owning-up to problems imposed on you despite not being your fault.</span></li><li><span>Highly self-motivated. You prioritize aggressively and stay focused on the few things that will have the biggest impact on the business.</span></li><li><span>Outcomes orientation. You do not stop with roadblocks, you ensure that you’re delivering on the desired outcome. You win when the company wins.</span></li><li><span>Sensitive to time pressure and able to judge what is “good enough” to be delivered immediately versus striving for perfection.</span></li></ul><p><span> </span></p><p><strong>Personality</strong></p><ul><li><span>Strong character able to stand-up for both yourself and the organization. You do what’s right first and you don’t take ‘no’ or ‘inshallah’ for an answer. </span></li><li><span>You are gritty and don’t shy away from challenges… you’re highly ambitious and you grow with each victory.</span></li><li><span>A force of positivity for your team and for the company. </span></li><li><span>Humble character and team-player. </span></li><li><span>Intellectually curious, eager to learn and grow.</span></li><li><span> Demonstration of commitment to the company’s success (out-of-scope work, long/ irregular hours, quashing ‘fires’, etc.). </span></li><li><span>Strong ability to work under pressure and potentially long and irregular working hours.</span></li></ul><p><br></p><p><strong>REQUIREMENTS</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><ul><li><span>Minimum 3 years’ experience in a commercial/procurement function preferably in an FMCG or agricultural setting.</span></li><li><span>Experience in high-tech controlled-environment agriculture is a plus.</span></li><li><span>Fluent in English, other languages: Arabic, Hindi, Urdu, French, Dutch a plus.</span></li><li><span>Mastery of MS Office (Excel, Power Point, Project). Be able to prepare & present your own work.</span></li></ul><p><em> </em></p><p><em> </em></p><p><em>Please note before applying: our people define our success and we take hiring seriously. Interviewing with Pure Harvest may include video and phone interviews and/or off-site interviews. Though not required, we highly recommend that you submit a cover letter that outlines the key attributes of your candidacy & demonstrates that you understand and are qualified for this unique/ challenging role. Also, we complete both formal and informal reference checks for all hires. Please be prepared to submit references upon request. </em></p><p><em>Although we are unable to follow-up with each-and-every applicant, we do our absolute best to conduct a systematic hiring process for candidates with whom we identify a potential fit.</em></p><p><br></p>
