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

Company Description

Do you want to shape the world of tomorrow and work on innovative projects? Then you're a good fit for us! We are a global engineering group with 15,000 employees and 140 locations worldwide. With our services, we are driving the topics of energy efficiency, climate protection and decarbonization and developing tech industries into new dimensions.

The world of SEGULA Technologies Experts revolves around industries such as automotive, software, energy and life sciences. As an independent player, we support OEMs and suppliers with personal engineering services. Take advantage of new opportunities and take on exciting tasks and attractive positions with direct customer assignment.

Job Description

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 company’s 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

• Education:

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Mechanical Engineering, Electronics Engineering, or a related discipline.

Master’s 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