Supply Chain Manager (Corporate) Dubai & China (Automotive)

Work Location : Dubai & China

Role Summary:

The Head of Supply Chain is a corporate leadership role responsible for defining and governing the end-to-end supply chain strategy across all business divisions including automotive OEM programs aftermarket and trading businesses and high-end metal and car care products.

The role has primary accountability for strategic sourcing and supplier development in China supported by 2-3 local China-based resources responsible for supplier identification development and on-ground execution. The position owns supplier strategy commercial frameworks cost control launch readiness logistics coordination and supply risk management across regions.

This role operates at a strategic and governance level while remaining closely involved in critical supplier decisions OEM launches and complex sourcing programs.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Supply Chain Strategy & Governance:
Define and implement a corporate supply chain strategy aligned with the companys multi-division business model (OEM trading aftermarket and car care products).
Establish standardized supply chain policies sourcing frameworks and governance models across divisions.
Define KPIs for cost quality delivery supplier performance and risk and ensure regular reporting to leadership.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives across sourcing logistics and inventory practices.

2. Strategic Sourcing & Supplier(s) Development (China-Focused):
Own the global sourcing strategy with a strong focus on China-based suppliers for automotive components accessories care care products automobile body parts and related manufacturing.
Lead and govern supplier(s) identification qualification and development working through China-based supply chain resources.
Approve supplier(s) selection sourcing strategies and supplier(s) portfolios by product family and business segment (OEM vs traded products).
Conduct and oversee supplier(s) capability assessments and factory audits covering quality systems manufacturing capability capacity compliance and commercial viability.
Define supplier(s) development roadmaps to support new product development cost reduction and scalability.

3. Commercial Contracting & Cost Management:
Lead commercial negotiations and define supply framework agreements including pricing structures payment terms quality requirements confidentiality production capacity and exclusivity where applicable.
Ensure contracts are aligned with OEM program requirements trading margins and long-term business sustainability.
Drive cost transparency cost breakdown analysis and continuous cost improvement initiatives with suppliers.
Monitor supplier(s) commercial performance and address deviations through corrective actions.

4. OEM Launch & Product Development Support:
Support OEM and customer program launches by ensuring supplier readiness tooling timelines material availability and launch execution.
Track supplier project milestones and proactively resolve risks related to quality capacity or delivery.
Collaborate closely with Engineering Design Quality and Program teams during product development and industrialization phases.

5. Logistics Inventory & Material Control:
Oversee inbound and outbound logistics strategy including shipping modes routes and lead-time optimization.
Ensure appropriate inventory control practices are implemented across businesses balancing service levels and working capital.
Define and enforce material traceability documentation and audit processes.
Review inventory accuracy cycle counts and physical audits in coordination with operations and finance teams.

6. Cross-Functional & Regional Coordination:
Act as the central supply chain interface across Engineering Sales Finance Quality Production and R&D teams.
Provide clear supply chain inputs on feasibility cost timelines and risk during commercial and technical decision-making.
Coordinate closely with China-based supply chain resources to ensure alignment with corporate objectives and priorities.

7. Risk Management & Compliance:
Identify and mitigate supply chain risks including supplier dependency capacity constraints geopolitical exposure and logistics disruptions.
Develop contingency plans and alternative sourcing strategies for critical materials and suppliers.
Ensure compliance with applicable quality systems and regulatory requirements including ISO 9001:2015 where applicable.

8. Budgeting & Reporting:
Prepare and manage supply chain budgets forecasts and cost analyses.
Monitor financial performance against plans and initiate corrective actions where required.
Provide regular structured reporting to senior management on supply chain performance and risks.

Travel Requirements:
Frequent international travel primarily to China and key supplier locations based on project and business needs.

 

Qualifications :

1. Education:
   Bachelors degree in Supply Chain Management Mechanical Engineering Electronics Engineering or a related discipline.
   Masters degree is an advantage.
   Experience :
   Proven experience in a senior supply chain leadership role within automotive OEM automotive accessories Tier-1 suppliers or equivalent manufacturing/trading environments.
   Strong background in strategic sourcing and supplier development in China including factory audits and commercial negotiations.
   Experience supporting OEM programs aftermarket products or traded automotive goods.
   Demonstrated ability to operate in multi-business multi-region environments.
   Key Skills & Competencies:
   Strong strategic sourcing and contract negotiation capabilities.
   Deep understanding of automotive components manufacturing processes tooling and supplier economics.
   Solid knowledge of logistics inventory management and supply chain risk management.
   Strong analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and drive fact-based decisions.
   Effective leadership and communication skills with the ability to work across cultures and functions.
   Comfortable operating in fast-paced evolving business environments.

 

Additional Information :

Note:  Mandarin / Chinese language skills are mandatory. Candidates of all nationalities are welcome to apply. Non-Chinese nationals with basic working proficiency (minimum 20%) in spoken and written Mandarin / Chinese will also be considered.

Please note that only shortlisted candidates will be contacted 

Remote Work :

No

Employment Type :

Full-time