Vice President – Supply Chain | Utilities

About the Role
We are seeking an experienced Vice President – Supply Chain to lead and transform the end-to-end supply chain function for a major utility environment in the UAE. This senior leadership opportunity is ideal for an accomplished Supply Chain, Procurement, or Commercial executive with extensive experience managing complex procurement, contracting, logistics, inventory, and supplier-management operations within utilities, water, power, energy, engineering, or infrastructure. The successful candidate will develop and execute supply chain strategies that support operational reliability, financial performance, capital projects, maintenance requirements, sustainability, and local talent development.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement the overall Supply Chain strategy aligned with business objectives, financial targets, operational KPIs, and Emiratisation goals.
• Lead end-to-end procurement activities for capital projects, including EPC contracts, civil works, mechanical and electrical equipment.
• Oversee procurement and logistics planning for long-lead items to support projects and operational requirements.
• Develop and maintain critical spares and inventory strategies, using demand planning, ERP, and CMMS data to optimise stock levels.
• Lead strategic sourcing and manage framework agreements, service-level agreements, and supplier contracts with suppliers, OEMs, and logistics providers.
• Oversee logistics, just-in-time delivery, customs clearance, and vendor-managed inventory programmes.
• Drive supplier performance management, including supplier selection, relationship management, performance reviews, and corrective actions.
• Implement and optimise digital procurement and supply chain systems, including ERP, e-procurement, and CMMS integration.
• Monitor key Supply Chain KPIs, including inventory turnover, order-cycle time, supplier on-time delivery, and procurement costs, while driving continuous improvement.
• Lead CapEx and OpEx procurement budgeting, forecasting, and cost optimisation initiatives.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including supplier, geopolitical, regulatory, logistics, and operational risks.
• Prepare and present supply chain performance reports, cost-benefit analyses, and strategic recommendations to senior leadership.
• Work closely with Finance, Engineering, Operations, HSSE, Quality, and Environmental teams to ensure effective supply chain delivery.
• Ensure materials, suppliers, and contractors comply with applicable regulatory, quality, safety, and sustainability requirements.
• Embed sustainability and circular-economy principles into procurement and supply chain strategies.
• Build, lead, and mentor a high-performing Supply Chain organisation, while supporting Emiratisation and local talent development.
• Establish and maintain supply chain policies, processes, controls, and governance frameworks.
• Drive continuous improvement, innovation, and technology adoption across procurement, logistics, inventory, and supplier management.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Logistics, Engineering, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• 12+ years of progressive experience in Supply Chain, Procurement, Logistics, or a related function.
• Minimum 5 years of experience in a senior leadership role, preferably within utilities, water, power, energy, or engineering/infrastructure sectors.
• Proven experience leading end-to-end supply chain, procurement, and supplier management functions.
• Strong experience in procurement and contract management for large-scale capital projects, EPC contracts, and maintenance programmes.
• Hands-on experience in logistics planning, inventory management, critical spares, and demand forecasting.
• Strong understanding of CapEx and OpEx budgeting, forecasting, cost control, and cost-saving initiatives.
• Experience implementing or managing ERP, e-procurement, and CMMS systems, with exposure to platforms such as SAP, SAP Ariba, Maximo, or similar systems.
• Strong experience in supplier relationship management, strategic sourcing, framework agreements, and service-level agreements.
• Demonstrated ability to identify and manage supply chain, supplier, logistics, and regulatory risks.
• Strong understanding of sustainability, responsible procurement, and circular-economy principles.
• Excellent negotiation, commercial, analytical, and stakeholder-management skills.
• Proven ability to present supply chain performance, financial analysis, and strategic recommendations to C-suite and senior leadership.
• Demonstrated experience in leading, developing, and mentoring multidisciplinary teams.
• Experience supporting Emiratisation and local talent development initiatives is preferred.
• Ability to work effectively within a regulated utility/infrastructure environment and manage complex projects and stakeholders.