Procurement Specialist - Drone & Defence Systems

The Procurement Specialist will be responsible for sourcing, evaluating, negotiating, and procuring drone, defence, aerospace, and related technology products and services. The role requires strong expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier management, contract negotiations, and compliance with UAE defence procurement regulations and international trade controls. The ideal candidate will have experience working within the defence, aerospace, unmanned systems (UAV), military technology, or high-tech manufacturing sectors. Key Responsibilities Procurement & Strategic Sourcing Source and procure drone systems, defence equipment, aerospace components, payloads, communication systems, sensors, electronics, and associated services. Identify, evaluate, and onboard qualified local and international suppliers. Conduct market research and supplier benchmarking to ensure competitive pricing and quality. Develop and implement procurement strategies that align with project timelines and organisational objectives. Evaluate supplier capabilities, certifications, quality standards, and delivery performance. Vendor & Contract Management Lead supplier negotiations to obtain the best commercial and technical terms. Prepare and manage RFQs, RFPs, tenders, purchase orders, and procurement contracts. Ensure adherence to contractual obligations, delivery schedules, and quality requirements. Build and maintain strong relationships with strategic suppliers and OEMs. Monitor supplier performance and implement corrective actions when necessary. Compliance & Risk Management Ensure procurement activities comply with UAE regulations, defence procurement standards, import/export controls, and international trade compliance requirements. Review suppliers for regulatory, legal, sanctions, and security compliance. Support internal and external audits related to procurement and supply chain activities. Maintain accurate procurement records and documentation. Inventory & Supply Chain Coordination Coordinate with engineering, operations, logistics, and project teams to ensure timely material availability. Monitor inventory levels and forecast future procurement requirements. Support warehouse, logistics, and customs clearance activities when required. Mitigate supply chain risks and identify alternative sourcing options. Cost Optimisation Analyse procurement spending and identify cost-saving opportunities. Drive supplier consolidation and strategic sourcing initiatives. Monitor market trends, technology developments, and pricing fluctuations within the aerospace and defence sectors. Qualifications Education Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, Business Administration, or a related field. CIPS Certification or equivalent procurement qualification preferred. Experience Minimum 5+ years of procurement experience within defence, aerospace, drone/UAV, military technology, or advanced manufacturing industries. Experience sourcing high-value technical components and defence-related products. Strong understanding of procurement lifecycle management and contract negotiation. Required Skills Technical Skills Procurement and sourcing management Contract negotiation and administration Supplier evaluation and performance management ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics, Odoo, etc.) Advanced Excel and procurement reporting Knowledge of UAV/drone systems and defence equipment Soft Skills Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities Excellent negotiation and communication skills Attention to detail and compliance orientation Ability to work in a fast-paced and highly regulated environment Strong stakeholder management capabilities

Desired Candidate Profile

Preferred Qualifications Experience with defence offsets and government procurement frameworks. Familiarity with UAV platforms, payload systems, avionics, sensors, and communication technologies. Experience working with international suppliers across Europe, North America, and Asia. Security clearance eligibility is an advantage. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) Procurement cost savings achieved. On-time supplier delivery performance. Supplier quality and compliance metrics. Reduction in procurement cycle times. Successful vendor onboarding and qualification rates. Inventory availability and project support effectiveness. Employment Type Full-time