Director of Supply Chain Job Description UAE 2025 — Responsibilities, Qualifications and Salary
A Director of Supply Chain in UAE earns between AED 420,000 and AED 840,000 per year. The role leads the entire supply chain function from supplier sourcing to customer delivery, managing procurement, planning, logistics, and distribution. It requires a bachelor’s degree in supply chain or engineering, 15 to 20 years of supply chain leadership experience, and APICS CSCP or equivalent executive qualification.
UAE and Saudi Arabia
Salary: AED 420,000–840,000
Updated 2025
Director of Supply Chain Responsibilities
The table below lists the primary responsibilities of a Director of Supply Chain in UAE and Saudi Arabia as of 2025. Each responsibility is stated as a discrete, measurable activity.
| Responsibility | Frequency | Output / Deliverable |
|---|---|---|
| Set and own the supply chain strategy aligned to business objectives | Annual | Board-approved supply chain roadmap |
| Manage total supply chain cost budget | Annual | Budget delivered within approved variance |
| Lead supplier base strategy and strategic sourcing decisions | Annual | Supplier consolidation and savings targets met |
| Oversee demand planning, inventory investment, and working capital | Monthly | Inventory days and fill rate KPIs reported to board |
| Drive supply chain digitalisation and technology investments | Per programme | Digital roadmap approved and initiatives delivered on time |
| Build and lead supply chain team of 50 to 300 professionals | Daily | Team retention above 85 percent per year |
Director of Supply Chain Qualifications and Requirements
The following qualifications apply to a Director of Supply Chain role in UAE and Saudi Arabia. Requirements vary by sector and employer size.
| Requirement | Standard |
|---|---|
| Education | Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, or Business; MBA required for most roles |
| Experience | 15 to 20 years in supply chain with minimum 5 years as Director or VP |
| Certifications | APICS CSCP Fellow or CSCMP at senior level required |
| Budget | Experience managing supply chain budgets of AED 50 million or above |
| Digital | Demonstrated experience implementing supply chain technology at scale |
| Communication | Board-level reporting, investor relations, and C-suite stakeholder management |
All employment contracts in the UAE are governed by Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021. A Director of Supply Chain employed in mainland UAE requires a Ministry of Human Resources and Emiratisation (MoHRE) approved contract. ADGM, DIFC, and free zone employees are subject to their respective authority’s employment regulations.
How RFS Recruits a Director of Supply Chain
- You brief RFS with the role specification, seniority level, and team structure. The briefing call takes 30 minutes.
- RFS searches its active candidate database and activates direct outreach within 24 hours of instruction.
- RFS delivers a shortlist of 3 to 5 pre-screened Director of Supply Chain candidates within 48 to 72 hours.
- You conduct interviews. RFS coordinates scheduling and candidate communication throughout.
- RFS supports offer negotiation and manages the candidate’s notice period and onboarding.
- The 6-month replacement guarantee activates from the candidate’s start date.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does a Director of Supply Chain earn in UAE?
A Director of Supply Chain in UAE earns between AED 420,000 and AED 840,000 per year. FMCG multinational supply chain directors earn AED 600,000 to AED 840,000. Retail and e-commerce directors earn AED 420,000 to AED 600,000. Compensation includes housing, schooling, and annual flight allowances for expatriate packages.
What supply chain technology experience is expected at director level in UAE?
UAE Directors of Supply Chain are expected to have led ERP implementations (SAP or Oracle), demand planning tool deployments (SAP IBP, Kinaxis, or o9), and at least one supply chain visibility or control tower implementation. Experience with warehouse automation (robotics, ASRS) is increasingly valued in e-commerce and FMCG sectors.
How does RFS recruit Directors of Supply Chain?
RFS uses retained executive search for Director of Supply Chain mandates. A shortlist of 3 to 5 pre-screened candidates is delivered within 48 to 72 hours. The retained search fee is 15 to 18 percent of first-year total compensation.
What a Director of Supply Chain does in UAE
A Director of Supply Chain in UAE leads the end-to-end supply chain function including demand planning, procurement, manufacturing planning, logistics, and customer service, owning the supply chain P&L and service performance for a corporate operating across UAE and GCC markets.
Key responsibilities
- Lead all supply chain functions including demand planning, procurement, manufacturing planning, logistics, and customer service
- Own supply chain P&L including procurement savings, logistics cost, inventory investment, and service levels
- Set the supply chain strategy covering make vs buy, outsourcing, and geographic footprint
- Manage the S&OP process to align sales, operations, and supply across UAE market channels
- Drive supply chain risk management including supplier diversification and supply continuity planning
- Lead supply chain digital transformation including AI demand forecasting and visibility platforms
- Ensure supply chain compliance with UAE customs, FTA rules, and halal certification requirements
- Manage strategic supplier relationships and annual contract negotiations
- Lead Emiratisation hiring within the supply chain function
- Present supply chain performance and strategy to the CEO and Board
Qualifications required
- Bachelor or Master degree in supply chain, engineering, or business administration
- APICS CSCP or CSCMP SCPro qualification
- 18 to 25 years supply chain experience with at least 6 years as VP or Director in UAE or GCC
- Deep knowledge of UAE customs, FTA free zone trade rules, and halal supply chain requirements
- ERP supply chain management (SAP S/4HANA IBP, Oracle SCM, or Kinaxis) expertise
- Arabic language skills strongly preferred for UAE authority and community engagement
- Demonstrated supply chain cost reduction and service improvement in UAE operations
- Digital supply chain and AI demand forecasting experience preferred
Director of Supply Chain salary by employer type in UAE
| Employer type | Annual salary (AED) |
|---|---|
| Multinational FMCG or consumer goods UAE cluster | 700,000–1,300,000 |
| UAE government-linked entity or SOE supply chain | 650,000–1,200,000 |
| Large 3PL or logistics group UAE | 550,000–1,050,000 |
| E-commerce or technology company UAE supply chain | 600,000–1,150,000 |
Contract terms for this role in UAE
Supply Chain Director roles carry a 90 day notice period. Federal Decree-Law No. 33 of 2021 governs end-of-service gratuity at 21 days basic salary per year for the first five years.
Hire a Director of Supply Chain in UAE or Saudi Arabia
RFS delivers a shortlist of pre-screened Director of Supply Chain candidates in 48 to 72 hours. Retained search fee: 15 to 18 percent of first-year total compensation. 6-month replacement guarantee on all placements.
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UAE salary guide 2025
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UAE Market Data — Director of Supply Chain 2025
Salary Range (AED/month)
AED 8,000 – 40,000 (varies by seniority)
Tax-free. Source: Michael Page UAE 2026, Indeed UAE 2025
Industry
Logistics — UAE & GCC
Required Certifications (UAE Market)
CIPS for procurement. APICS CPIM/CSCP for supply chain. PMP for operations managers. Forklift/hazmat certification for warehouse.
UAE-Specific Regulatory Skills
UAE Customs Law, Dubai Customs regulations, CBUAE cross-border payment compliance, WPS compliance for workforce, Free Zone Authority regulations (JAFZA, KIZAD etc.) for free zone operations.
RFS HR Consultancy places director of supply chain professionals across Dubai, Abu Dhabi, and the wider UAE and GCC. View our logistics and courier recruitment Dubai or check the logistics salary guide UAE 2025.
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