Assistant Director/Director of Procurement

[What the role is]

About SAFCo

The Singapore Sustainable Aviation Company (SAFCo) is a mission-driven entity supporting Singapore's national SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) policy. SAFCo manages SAF levy collection, procures SAF to meet regulated demand, and develops the voluntary SAF market. As a lean and agile startup, SAFCo is building foundational capabilities to ensure operational excellence, transparency, and credibility in the SAF ecosystem.

Role overview

This role reports to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of SAFCo. As Director of Procurement & Sourcing, you will lead SAFCo's strategic sourcing & procurement function with a primary focus on Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This role is pivotal in securing long-term, cost-effective SAF supply agreements while ensuring compliance with sustainability standards. While SAF remains the core responsibility, we welcome candidates with extensive experience across SAF, biofuels, renewable energy, low-carbon solutions, and the broader energy sector. You will shape procurement strategies, negotiate complex contracts, and build strong supplier relationships to support Singapore's SAF policy and regional leadership ambitions. The role may also encompass team leadership responsibilities, including supervising a team.

[What you will be working on]

Strategic Procurement Leadership

• Develop and execute SAF procurement strategies tailored to organization's strategic goals and regulatory frameworks.
• Lead sourcing initiatives, including supplier identification, evaluation, and negotiation of long-term agreements.
• Formulate, review, and implement procurement frameworks, policies, and procedures to drive continuous improvement and compliance.
• Drive innovation in procurement practices, including risk management and contract structuring.
• Enhance procurement performance through proactive engagement with internal and external stakeholders in early planning stages.
• Strengthen internal procurement systems by streamlining processes and procedures to improve agility, governance, and operational efficiency.

Tender Management & Competitive Bidding

• Manage the full tender lifecycle, including evaluation, award, and post-award contract advisory.
• Develop comprehensive tender documentation, evaluation criteria, and selection processes.
• Coordinate with technical teams, legal advisors, and senior management throughout tender evaluations.
• Track and monitor procurement plans to ensure timely and effective service delivery.
• Manage end-to-end sourcing and procurement processes, ensuring compliance with sustainability and certification standards (e.g., CORSIA, ISCC).

Advanced Contract Negotiation

• Conduct high-stakes negotiations for multi-million-dollar fuel/energy contracts.
• Structure complex commercial arrangements balancing risk allocation and performance requirements.
• Negotiate terms for long-term supply agreements, joint ventures, and strategic alliances.

Energy Sector Expertise and Market Intelligence

• Utilise extensive fuel sector knowledge to navigate complex regulatory and voluntary market environments
• Closely monitor fuel market trends, pricing fluctuations, and emerging technologies
• Maintain deep understanding of energy and fuel supply chains from upstream to downstream operations
• Monitor market trends in SAF, biofuels, feedstock and fuel market trends, pricing fluctuation and emerging technologies to inform strategic decisions.

Stakeholder Management and Relationship Building

• Build and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers, contractors, and industry partners to optimize supply chain resilience and cost efficiency.
• Engage with senior executives, government agencies, and regulatory bodies for major procurement initiatives
• Represent organisation at industry forums, conferences, and networking events

Business Development Integration

• Collaborate with business development teams to identify procurement opportunities supporting revenue generation in the voluntary demand market
• Develop supplier partnerships creating competitive advantages and enabling new business opportunities
• Structure procurement arrangements facilitating business growth whilst maintaining cost control

[What we are looking for]

• 15+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain management, with at least 7 years in leadership roles, ideally aviation and energy related roles.
• Proven track record in negotiating and managing complex, multi-year supply agreements, especially in the energy sector.
• Experience in aviation fuel markets is highly desirable, including supply chain/logistic expertise, contract structures, pricing and credit mechanics, and airline/airport fuel operations interfaces.
• Experience in SAF is highly desirable; strong background in biofuels, renewable energy, low-carbon solutions, or the wider energy sector is essential.
• Deep understanding of energy and fuel market dynamics, pricing mechanisms, and the influence on the market's supply and demand due to emerging sustainability and policy frameworks.
• Comfortable with market analytics, scenario modelling, and commercial risk frameworks.
• Strong commercial acumen, stakeholder management, and strategic thinking skills.
• Familiarity with bio feedstock and biofuel origination, sustainability certifications and regulatory requirements (e.g., CORSIA, ISCC) is an advantage.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and relationship-building capabilities.

Why Join SAFCo?

• Be part of a pioneering team shaping Singapore's sustainable aviation future.
• Grow your career in a dynamic, purpose-driven startup.
• Work closely with leadership and contribute to high-impact initiatives.