Procurement Specialist - CNC, Casting & Fabrication

ABOUT THE ROLE
The Procurement Specialist – CNC, Casting & Fabrication is responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing suppliers for technically complex manufactured components supporting propulsion development and production programs.
The role requires strong technical procurement experience across CNC machining, casting, and fabrication. The successful candidate must be capable of understanding engineering drawings, manufacturing processes, material specifications, supplier capabilities, lead times, and cost drivers to support effective sourcing and supplier-selection decisions.
Candidates must have demonstrated procurement or supply-chain experience across all three areas: CNC machining, casting, and fabrication.

RESPONSIBILITIES
Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

• Manage end-to-end sourcing and procurement of CNC-machined, cast, and fabricated components.
• Develop RFQs and obtain quotations from qualified local and international suppliers.
• Conduct commercial and technical bid evaluations in collaboration with Engineering and Quality.
• Issue purchase orders and manage orders through manufacture, inspection, delivery, and closure.
• Support make-or-buy and sourcing-strategy decisions for manufactured components.

CNC, Casting & Fabrication Procurement

• Source suppliers capable of precision 3-, 4- and 5-axis CNC machining, turning, grinding, and other machining processes.
• Procure cast components using processes such as investment casting, sand casting, and precision casting.
• Manage procurement of fabricated components involving sheet metal, welding, forming, brazing, assemblies, and related fabrication processes.
• Assess supplier manufacturing capability against drawing tolerances, materials, volumes, quality requirements, and delivery schedules.
• Understand manufacturing cost drivers including raw material, machine time, tooling, fixtures, labour, inspection, and special processes.

Supplier Management

• Identify, assess, qualify, and develop suppliers capable of meeting aerospace and defence requirements.
• Conduct supplier capability assessments jointly with Engineering, Quality, and Industrialization teams.
• Monitor supplier performance across quality, cost, delivery, and responsiveness.
• Lead commercial discussions relating to delivery delays, price changes, capacity constraints, and supplier performance.
• Support supplier-development and corrective-action activities.

Commercial Negotiation & Cost Management

• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, minimum order quantities, tooling costs, and commercial conditions.
• Conduct cost analysis and challenge supplier quotations using knowledge of manufacturing processes.
• Identify cost-reduction opportunities through alternate sourcing, value engineering, supplier consolidation, and long-term agreements.
• Support should-cost analysis for manufactured components.

Supply Chain & Risk Management

• Monitor long-lead materials, manufacturing capacity, supplier dependencies, and critical-path components.
• Identify supply-chain risks and develop appropriate mitigation or alternate-source strategies.
• Support localization and development of regional manufacturing suppliers where appropriate.
• Expedite critical orders to support engineering, production, and program milestones.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrialization, Quality, Program Management, Finance, and Production.
• Ensure procurement requirements reflect drawings, BOMs, specifications, quality requirements, and program schedules.
• Support prototype, development, qualification, and serial-production procurement activities.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Manufacturing, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• Minimum 7 years of procurement, sourcing, or supply-chain experience within technically complex manufacturing environments.
• Mandatory hands-on procurement experience with CNC machining, casting, and fabrication suppliers.
• Strong knowledge of manufactured and engineered components.
• Experience within aerospace, defence, propulsion, automotive, precision engineering, or advanced manufacturing is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of engineering drawings, tolerances, materials, manufacturing methods, and production lead times.
• Experience negotiating with machine shops, foundries, fabrication companies, and specialist manufacturing suppliers.
• Knowledge of ERP/MRP systems such as SAP or equivalent.
• Knowledge of supplier qualification, FAI, AS9100, and aerospace manufacturing requirements is advantageous.
• CIPS, ISM, APICS, or equivalent professional certification is advantageous.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
The successful candidate should demonstrate practical knowledge of:

• CNC milling and turning
• 3-, 4- and 5-axis machining
• Precision machining and grinding
• Investment and sand casting
• Aerospace metals and alloys
• Sheet-metal fabrication
• Welding and brazing
• Forming and fabricated assemblies
• Tooling, fixtures, and manufacturing setup costs
• Engineering drawings and GD&T
• Supplier capability and capacity assessment
• RFQ and technical/commercial bid evaluation
• Cost breakdown and negotiation
• Supplier performance and risk management

WHY CHOOSE THE COMPANY
Launched in November 2019, the company is one of the world's leading advanced technology groups, established to develop agile, bold and disruptive solutions for defence and beyond, and to be a catalyst for change and transformation. It is dedicated to bringing breakthrough innovations, products, and services to market with greater speed and efficiency, to position the UAE as a leading global hub for future industries, and to creating clear paths within the sector for the next generation of highly skilled talent to thrive.
At the company, the real investment goes beyond compensation. Through our dedicated learning academy and digital learning platforms, employees have access to extensive opportunities to develop new skills, deepen their expertise, and advance their careers. Combined with the freedom to innovate, strong career support, and the opportunity to collaborate with world-class talent from across the globe, the company is a place where you can continue to grow, keep learning, and turn ambitious ideas into meaningful outcomes.
Working at the company also comes with a package that genuinely reflects how much we value our people. Salaries are highly competitive and tax-free and, depending on your role and seniority, benefits can include family visas, annual flight tickets, medical insurance for you and your dependents, and education allowances for your children.

CANDIDATE PRIVACY & EQUAL OPPORTUNITY STATEMENT
If you feel your skills, experience and potential are a strong match for a role, we encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every requirement. We are genuinely interested in what you can bring to the company.
Any information you share as part of your company candidate profile or job application will be handled in accordance with applicable data protection and privacy regulations.
The company is an equal opportunity employer committed to building a diverse, inclusive, and high-performing workforce. We believe every individual deserves to be treated with fairness, respect and dignity, and our employment decisions reflect that. We do not discriminate based on race, colour, nationality, ethnicity, religion, gender, marital status, age, disability, pregnancy or parental status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
As a global organisation, effective collaboration across international teams is central to how we work, so English proficiency is required for all roles unless otherwise stated in the job posting.