Group Director - Strategic Equipment

About the Role
The Group Director – Strategic Equipment is accountable for managing and delivering global strategic equipment projects across the business portfolio throughout the procurement lifecycle. This includes responsibilities from the pre-tender phase to contract management activities. This role is specialized in procurement processes and contract management activities related to Strategic Equipment. The Group Director will provide professional, technical, and administrative support to internal stakeholders to ensure effective execution of procurement activities and compliance with Group Procurement processes and procedures.

Key Accountabilities
The Group Director – Strategic Equipment is responsible for:

• Managing the procurement processes for multiple tenders and projects across the business portfolio, supporting broader strategic equipment procurement initiatives.
• Ensuring that all procurement-related contracts deliver the best value to the organization (completed on time, on budget, and quality as per the agreed scope of works).
• Conducting all tenders in a fair, transparent, auditable, and ethical manner (as per the Group Procurement Policy).
• Collaborating with key project stakeholders, including members of the Group Procurement Strategic Equipment team, Global Operations, Engineering, and Business Units, to ensure successful project delivery.
• Reporting progress throughout the project-related procurement phases to relevant stakeholders.
• Staying current with latest regulations, standards, legal requirements, and industry insights.
• Establishing and maintaining trusted relationships with project stakeholders and counterparts in regional procurement departments across the Group.
• Supporting the development of 1 to 5 years strategic equipment forecast plans of new and replacement equipment across global business units.
• Providing support for improving procedures, processes, and document standardization initiatives within the Group Procurement Department.
• Maintaining strong, trusted relationships with key strategic equipment manufacturers/vendors.
• Assisting in maintaining standardized equipment specifications.
• Ensuring efficient and effective management of project milestones and associated payments.
• Supporting training and knowledge transfer activities within the internal stakeholders involved in the procurement process.

Procurement Phase Responsibilities
The Group Director – Strategic Equipment will oversee specific tasks in each project-related procurement phase:

Pre-tender Phase:

• Conduct procurement strategy meetings with key project stakeholders to ensure a clear understanding of the project.
• Define timescales for completing the procurement process.
• Define tender scoring criteria.
• Define roles and responsibilities of project stakeholders.
• Identify and assess procurement-related risks.

Vendor Selection and Pre-Qualification:

• Collaborate with the Vendor Management Team to ensure all proposed manufacturers/vendors are registered and pre-qualified.
• Support in reviewing and evaluating pre-qualification criteria.
• Establish and maintain a list of pre-approved vendors based on category management.
• Complete and review vendor selection documents requiring stakeholder approval.

Tender Preparation:

• Collaborate with project stakeholders to ensure tender documents (including Technical Specifications) are comprehensive and fit-for-purpose.
• Review all tender documents for completeness.
• Ensure tenders are created on the relevant eSourcing Portal.
• Obtain all necessary approvals prior to tender publication.
• Ensure tenders are published within agreed timelines.

Tender Management and Evaluation:

• Address and communicate all tender clarifications with internal stakeholders and vendors in a timely manner.
• Manage vendor participation to ensure timely receipt of responses.
• Open all tender responses within agreed timelines.
• Support internal stakeholders in conducting technical evaluations and preparing summary reports.
• Conduct commercial analysis of tender responses and prepare evaluation summary reports.
• Present tender evaluation reports to senior management with recommendations for shortlisting and negotiation.

Commercial Negotiation and Award:

• Implement negotiation strategies that deliver optimal results and value.
• Participate in post tender clarification meetings and provide valuable input.
• Conduct negotiations with shortlisted vendors for best and final offers.
• Prepare, present, and obtain approval for final award recommendations.

Contract Preparation and Execution:

• Execute contracts based on agreed templates and approved deviations from the tender process.
• Manage approvals/signatures for commercial documents/contracts.

Contract Management Activities:

• Ensure all contracts and activities are conducted in accordance with best practices.
• Support the overall contract lifecycle management.
• Support management and execution of addendums, amendments, and variation orders.
• Ensure timely completion of contract close-out activities.
• Provide necessary support during the warranty period from a commercial contract perspective.
• Assist end-user with vendor performance management activities.

Other Tasks:

• Act as an ambassador, promoting and demonstrating positive behaviors in alignment with organizational values and culture.
• Ensure adherence to safety and ethical guidelines in all activities.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

Qualifications, Experience, and Skills
Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering (BEng (hons)).
• Knowledge of and relevant training in Contract Management.

Experience:

• Minimum 10 years of experience in tendering and contract management roles within large multinational organizations.
• Proven track record of delivering high-value commercial contracts for strategic equipment in the container port industry.
• Demonstrated experience in contract administration and management activities.
• Demonstrated knowledge of procuring major capital equipment projects.
• A record of delivering savings through best value procurement in a multi-customer environment.
• In-depth understanding of international contract law and procurement legislation.
• Strong organizational skills and experience with tenders/contracts and procurement related information.
• Proven proficiency in MS Office products and experience in presenting to project stakeholders and senior management.

Skills:

• Tendering, Contract & Project Management.
• Strong negotiation and influence capabilities.
• Effective teamwork and adaptability.
• Proficient in change management and strategic thinking.
• Ability to work across multiple regions and with various vendors and business units.
• Excellent written and spoken English language skills.