KDD
Officer, Source Development
- Permanent
- Al Kuwait City, Kuwait
- Experience 2 - 5 yrs
Job expiry date: 19/11/2026
Job overview
Date posted
05/10/2026
Location
Al Kuwait City, Kuwait
Salary
Undisclosed
Compensation
Comprehensive package
Experience
2 - 5 yrs
Seniority
Experienced
Qualification
Bachelors degree
Expiration date
19/11/2026
Job description
A reliable, cost-effective and compliant supply of food ingredients depends on having qualified alternatives ready, and building that supplier base is the job of this Source Development Officer at KDD in Kuwait City. Market research identifies new sources and emerging suppliers, feeding a pipeline that moves through registration, documentation and qualification. Supplier profiles, certifications, specifications and technical documents are reviewed, and audits are coordinated with Quality Assurance and Food Safety. R&D trials, Regulatory Affairs checks against GCC and destination market rules, and new product launches with Marketing, Planning and Production all need your coordination. Global ingredient markets, pricing trends, logistics and geopolitical developments are monitored for supply risk. Quotations, preliminary commercial terms and cost comparisons on pricing, lead times and payment terms go to management for review. Success is measured on new qualified suppliers, approval rates, on-time documentation, cost savings and reduced supply risk. Candidates need a Bachelor's in supply chain, business, commerce or science, 2 to 5 years in procurement or sourcing within food manufacturing, and experience with Oracle or a similar ERP, with food ingredient sourcing and food safety knowledge preferred.
Required skills
Key responsibilities
- Research markets to identify alternative ingredient sources, emerging suppliers and industry trends
- Develop and maintain a pipeline of potential ingredient suppliers
- Onboard and qualify new suppliers
- Coordinate supplier registration and documentation requirements
- Review supplier profiles, certifications, product specifications and technical documents
- Organise supplier audits with Quality Assurance and Food Safety teams
- Evaluate suppliers on quality, cost, service, reliability, sustainability and regulatory compliance
- Maintain supplier evaluation records, approved supplier lists and qualification files
- Partner with R&D on ingredient trials and product development projects
- Obtain Quality Assurance approvals for new ingredients and suppliers
- Verify ingredient compliance with GCC and destination market regulations through Regulatory Affairs
- Schedule approved material availability for new launches with Marketing, Planning and Production
- Monitor global ingredient markets, pricing trends, logistics and geopolitical supply risks
- Identify cost savings and supplier diversification opportunities
- Recommend alternative ingredients or suppliers to improve continuity and reduce costs
- Negotiate quotations and preliminary commercial terms
- Prepare cost comparisons of pricing, lead times, payment terms and logistics for management
Experience & skills
- Hold a Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Commerce, Science or a related discipline
- Possess professional certification in Procurement, Supply Chain or Food Science (desirable)
- Bring 2-5 years of procurement, sourcing or supplier development experience in food manufacturing
- Use ERP procurement systems such as Oracle
- Offer food ingredient sourcing experience (preferred)
- Understand supplier qualification processes and food safety requirements (preferred)
- Apply cost analysis and commercial evaluation skills
- Communicate and build supplier relationships effectively
- Work with AI tools relevant to procurement
- Manage multiple sourcing projects at the same time