About the Role
This position focuses on deploying category strategies within IT and Research while managing procurement planning. The successful candidate will translate overarching category strategies into detailed sourcing plans that align with stakeholder requirements and approved budgets. This role is vital in maintaining category intelligence and identifying opportunities that enhance value and efficiency across sourcing activities.
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Key Responsibilities
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Category Strategy Deployment & Procurement Planning
- Translate the IT & Research category strategy into prioritized sourcing plans, demand forecasts, and activity pipelines aligned with approved budgets, project timelines, and stakeholder requirements.
- Maintain category intelligence on demand, supply markets, technology trends, vendor capability, risk, and total cost of ownership; identify opportunities to standardize specifications, aggregate demand, and improve value.
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Sourcing Execution & Commercial Oversight
- Supervise end-to-end sourcing activities undertaken by Category Buyers, including PR review, sourcing route selection, pre-qualification, RFx development, bidder management, commercial evaluation, negotiation, award recommendation, and purchase order or contract handover.
- Review sourcing packs for completeness, commercial robustness, procedural compliance, and appropriate approvals before submission to the relevant governance forum.
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Team Supervision & Quality Assurance
- Allocate work, set priorities, and coach Category Buyers to ensure responsive service, consistent quality, accurate records, and adherence to agreed SLAs.
- Review workload, cycle time, sourcing pipeline and exceptions; resolve operational issues and escalate capacity, commercial, or control risks to the Director.
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Stakeholder & Supplier Coordination
- Act as the operational procurement partner to IT, research, academic, and technical stakeholders, clarifying requirements, timelines, specifications, and evaluation approaches.
- Coordinate with Vendor Management and Contract Management on supplier eligibility, performance information, contractual risks, and post-award handover.
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Reporting & Continuous Improvement
- Maintain accurate sourcing, pipeline, savings, and compliance data in Oracle and approved trackers; provide timely category performance updates to the Director.
- Identify and implement practical improvements to sourcing tools, templates, work practices, and stakeholder engagement.
Policies, Processes and Procedures
- Supply Chain Policy
- Supply Chain Procedures
- Delegation of Authority
- Company specific policies and procedures as required
Qualifications & Requirements
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Academic Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or equivalent is required.
- Further specialized education in the field would be considered advantageous.
- CIPS / CSCP certification is a plus.
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Professional Experience
- 5-8 years of experience in Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, or Procurement.
- Demonstrated experience procuring IT, technology, research & laboratory equipment & consumables, software, or related categories.
- Experience supervising, coaching, or providing quality oversight to procurement staff is advantageous.
- Prior experience in a University, Government, or large institutional procurement environment is advantageous.
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Technical Competencies / Skills and Languages
- Fluent in both English & Arabic.
- Competent in Category Strategy Deployment - IT & Research.
- Skilled in Strategic Sourcing and Commercial Negotiation.
- Knowledgeable in Technology and Research Procurement.
- Experienced in Demand Forecasting and Procurement Planning.
- Proficient in Team Supervision and Quality Assurance.
- Adept in Stakeholder Collaboration and Coordination.
- Experienced in Supplier Relationship and Performance Management.
- Competent in Documentation, Reporting and Governance.
- Possess strong Analytical and Problem-Solving Skills.
- Attention to Detail and Accuracy.
- Knowledge and experience with ERP or database systems - preferably Oracle Fusion.
- Strong time management and organization skills.
- Familiarity with Procurement and Supply Chain principles.
