Procurement Zone Director MEA

Position summary

Colas Rail is recruiting a Procurement Zone Director for the Middle East & Africa (MEA) region. This is a strategic position requiring a macro, high-level vision, strong process orientation and significant managerial experience to lead and structure procurement across multiple countries.

Reporting hierarchically to the MEA Chief Operating Officer and functionally to the DGI Procurement Manager, the Procurement Zone Director will be accountable for implementing procurement strategies, negotiating contracts and ensuring cost-effective, compliant procurement of goods and services across subsystems (track works, catenary, depot equipment, power supply). The role requires project management and communication skills to coordinate procurement activities with diverse project stakeholders.

Key responsibilities

• Manage the local procurement and logistics team (around 10 people) located in Morocco, Ivory Coast and Egypt; recruit, train and develop team members.
• Define, issue and maintain procurement and logistics procedures for the MEA area.
• Digitalize all procurement documents and maintain up-to-date procurement follow-up tools and performance indicators.
• Oversee the overall procurement schedule, populate it with subsystem managers and ensure needs are anticipated and met.
• Organize PLMs (Purchase Launch Meetings) per package.
• Issue RFQs, follow-up clarifications and close them.
• Manage vendor prequalification/qualification and provide data for compliance checks when required.
• Prepare and review TCO (Total Cost of Ownership) analyses.
• Issue/review recommendations for POs above €2M.
• Support and/or coordinate final negotiations and issue contracts and POs.
• Ensure correct purchase order follow-up including expediting, inspection and logistics coordination in collaboration with Project Procurement Managers and Project Teams.
• Ensure mobilization of resources (organization, process, tools) required to achieve objectives.
• Conduct market watch to ensure economic and competitive purchasing strategies and anticipate structural changes.
• Represent Colas Rail MEA within Group Purchasing.
• Produce regular reporting and data analysis on savings performance and procurement risks (delivery slippage, potential claims) to hierarchy and project teams.
• Participate in project REX (lessons learned).
• Ensure compliance with ethics, HSE rules and report any issues to management to protect the company and the employee.

Profile and skills

• Education: Master’s degree or engineering diploma with specialization in Purchasing.
• Experience: Minimum 10 years in industrial/project procurement with proven managerial experience.
• Skills: strategic vision, process-driven, strong negotiation skills, leadership, autonomy, ability to delegate, analytical mindset, excellent communication.
• Languages: French and English mandatory (French essential to manage francophone teams).
• Location & contract: Based in Cairo with regular travel across MEA (Morocco, Ivory Coast, etc.). Employment under a local Egyptian contract.

Why join:

• Strategic, high-visibility role with significant regional impact.
• Opportunity to structure, digitalize and professionalize the procurement function across an international, multicultural zone.
• Lead and develop a high-performing team across multiple countries.