Saudi Arabia Enforces 70% Saudization in Procurement Jobs

Saudi Arabia has begun enforcing a 70% Saudization requirement across 12 procurement-related professions, marking a significant step in the Kingdom’s workforce localization drive under Vision 2030.

Professions Covered

The Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development (MHRSD) confirmed that the following professions are now subject to the 70% localization requirement:

Procurement specialists
Purchasing managers
Warehouse managers
Purchasing representatives
Contract managers
Warehouse keepers
Logistics services managers
Tender specialists
E-commerce specialists
Market research specialists

Implementation and Compliance

In an official statement, the ministry said: “The regulatory teams at the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Development have begun following up on the implementation of the decision at the targeted establishments, and verifying their compliance with the specified percentages.”

The move forms part of a broader push to increase localization rates across industries as Saudi Arabia seeks to advance its Vision 2030 objectives of boosting private-sector employment and reducing reliance on expatriate labor.

Impact on Expats

For Indian professionals working in procurement and logistics roles in Saudi Arabia, this means:

Companies must gradually replace expat workers with Saudi nationals in these roles
Existing expat employees may have their contracts honored until expiry, but renewals may be affected
New job opportunities for expats in these categories will be significantly reduced
Companies must either upskill Saudi talent or face penalties for non-compliance

What Employers Need to Do

Private sector establishments must:

Review their workforce composition for the targeted professions
Adjust recruitment strategies to meet the 70% Saudization quota
Register and verify compliance through the Qiwa platform
Face potential fines and restrictions for non-compliance

Broader Context

This decision follows similar localization mandates in other sectors including insurance, telecommunications, and engineering. The Ministry has indicated more professions will be added to the localization list in the coming months as Saudi Arabia accelerates its economic transformation under Vision 2030.

For Indian job seekers in Saudi Arabia, this underscores the importance of staying updated on Saudization policies and exploring opportunities in sectors with higher expat demand such as healthcare, IT, and specialized technical roles.