About the Role
This position acts as the interface with stakeholders to ensure the delivery of both their service requirements and those of procurement. The role involves leading and managing high spend and crucial category sourcing activities in a timely and cost-effective manner, aligning with group standards and departmental objectives.
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Responsibilities
Strategic Roles and Responsibilities
- Add value to the business through strategic sourcing practices that assess internal and external criteria to drive sourcing strategy.
- Drive strategic category sourcing strategies, implementing and maintaining risk analysis and mitigating actions to protect stakeholders.
- Coordinate all activities within the assigned category of spend to achieve the lowest total cost of acquisition/ownership while meeting business expectations regarding quality and timelines.
- Ensure full compliance of all sourcing activities with internal policies and procedures.
Functional Roles and Responsibilities
Stakeholder Management:
- Build relationships with internal stakeholders to proactively plan sourcing activities related to the assigned category of spend.
- Understand stakeholders'/business unit requirements, including their business goals, targets, initiatives, and supplier performance requirements.
- Challenge demand and requirements, manage customer expectations for compliance, and drive continuous improvement.
- Communicate appropriate procurement messages regarding strategies, processes, and policies to ensure compliance and foster mutual understanding of goals.
Compliance:
- Ensure that the end-to-end sourcing process is performed with full transparency, integrity, and confidentiality as required.
Sourcing:
- Translate requirements/scope of work into Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Proposal (RFP).
- Clarify and negotiate scope of work with stakeholders, ensuring actual needs are tendered rather than wants.
- Create and execute RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs, employing structured information analysis using a corporate e-sourcing platform.
Negotiation Planning and Execution:
- Create detailed pre-negotiation plans and lead prolonged negotiation sessions with suppliers, followed by post-negotiation debriefs and follow-through plans.
Cost Modeling and Savings:
- Construct detailed cost models/purchase price analysis of goods and services, requiring extensive supplier discussions to understand the cost structure thoroughly.
- Negotiate best costs, terms, and conditions based on the final approved scope and shortlisted vendors.
Contract Management:
- Prepare and implement appropriate forms of contracts and commitments with suppliers.
- Manage and evaluate contractual agreements to ensure compliance in conjunction with Legal and Business Units.
Supplier/Vendor Performance Management:
- Ensure that supplier agreements include a good supplier matrix.
- Monitor, report, manage, and continuously improve supplier performance.
- Conduct quarterly vendor performance reviews with key suppliers.
Research and Analytics:
- Analyze procurement spend to craft sourcing strategies that yield value-adding results beyond savings.
- Conduct detailed supplier and market analysis, using facts and data to provide insights to stakeholders and sourcing management teams.
- Establish external benchmarks and gap analyses to achieve competitive advantage.
People Management Roles and Responsibilities
- Manage and coach sourcing specialists and procurement executives (1+1).
- Coach sourcing managers on leading categories.
- Allocate projects to team members and supervise execution.
- Ensure team compliance with Group procurement processes and policies.
- Assist team members in developing technical knowledge and best practices for the assigned spend category.
Qualifications
Education/Certification and Continued Education
- Graduate (any discipline), preferably in Finance or Engineering, with an MBA.
Years of Experience
- Minimum 7 years’ experience in a similar role within a procurement function, preferably in a centralized procurement model in the UAE.
Knowledge and Skills
- Detailed technical understanding of the assigned commodity/category of spend.
- Strong influencing and facilitation skills to balance stakeholder needs with adherence to procedures.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Strong project management skills with capabilities to plan, mobilize, and manage sourcing projects.
- Outstanding relationship management skills (both internal and external).
- Proficiency in analytical and negotiation skills.
- Market understanding of vendor capabilities, should costs, and supply chain dynamics.
- Experience with ERP systems is essential (preferably Oracle or JD Edwards), with SAP Ariba sourcing experience being desirable.
Languages
- Proficiency in English is required.
