Associate – Supplier Management

Hill International; Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading project management firm is seeking an Associate – Supplier Management to oversee supplier onboarding and performance evaluations. The role entails collaborating with internal stakeholders to enhance vendor relationships and compliance with procurement policies. Candidates should have at least 5 years of relevant experience in procurement and strong skills in market research and supplier management. This position offers an opportunity to drive process improvements and contribute strategically to the supplier management process.

Qualifications

• At least 5+ years of relevant experience in procurement or supplier management.
• Experience within the UAE and GCC market is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated technical proficiency in ERP/procurement systems.

Responsibilities

• Support the supplier onboarding and prequalification process.
• Conduct supplier performance evaluations.
• Maintain and update supplier data and communication.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements.

Skills

Procurement experience

Supplier/vendor management

Market research

Communication skills

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in business administration or related field

Tools

Oracle Fusion

MS Office

Job description

The Associate – Supplier Management is responsible for supporting the end-to-end supplier management process. This role ensures effective onboarding, evaluation, and continuous improvement of supplier relationships in alignment with client's procurement strategy and compliance objectives. Working closely with internal stakeholders and suppliers, the Associate maintains accurate supplier data, coordinates performance assessments, and drives process enhancements to optimize supply chain value, mitigate risk, and uphold the highest standards of quality and integrity across company's supplier base.

Supplier Onboarding, Prequalification, and Performance Evaluation

• Facilitate the collection, validation, and processing of supplier documentation to ensure adherence to clients onboarding and prequalification standards.
• Conduct comprehensive market research to identify, compare, and document supplier onboarding requirements from various countries, ensuring compliance with local, regional, and international regulations.
• Support the systematic categorization and classification of suppliers in accordance with procurement policies.
• Coordinate comprehensive supplier due diligence and ongoing compliance assessments.
• Organize and support regular supplier performance evaluations, document results, and elevate instances of underperformance or non-compliance.
• Support the tracking and reporting of supplier performance evaluation outcomes under management guidance.
• Assist in integrating supplier data with contract management processes to ensure comprehensive monitoring.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date supplier data, directories, and performance logs to support informed decision-making across the organization.

Category Management

• Assist in the maintenance and continuous improvement of the supplier category tree in alignment with the approved procurement framework and evolving business needs.
• Conduct ongoing reviews of category classifications to ensure accurate supplier segmentation and relevance.

Stakeholder Coordination and Engagement

• Serve as a key point of contact for supplier and internal stakeholder inquiries related to supplier management.
• Facilitate effective communication between suppliers and client teams, ensuring expectations and standards are clearly understood and met.
• Maintain structured channels for feedback from both suppliers and internal stakeholders to enhance processes and foster strong relationships.
• Support training and onboarding for suppliers and internal users on supplier management systems and processes.

System Management and Issue Resolution

• Effectively utilize and maintain supplier management and ERP systems, such as Oracle Fusion, and internal applications.
• Log and track system and process-related issues, collaborating with IT or functional consultants for prompt resolution.
• Support the implementation and adoption of new systems or process changes, providing guidance and support to end-users as required.

Continuous Process Improvement

• Identify and propose opportunities to enhance supplier management processes, systems, and policies for increased efficiency, compliance, and value creation.
• Participate in process reengineering, automation initiatives, and contribute to procurement best practice adoption.
• Participate in relevant industry networking activities to ensure the supplier base remains competitive and robust.
• Assist in managing change initiatives to ensure smooth adoption of new policies, processes, and technologies within the procurement function.

Essential Skills and Competencies

• At least 5+ of relevant experience in procurement, supplier/vendor management, or contracts administration
• A bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain management, procurement, or a related field is essential.
• Demonstrated experience within the UAE and GCC market is strongly preferred
• Technical Proficiency: Skilled in MS Office and ERP/procurement systems (preferably Oracle Fusion).
• Procurement Knowledge: Solid grasp of supplier onboarding, vendor management, and regulatory compliance (local and international).
• Analytical & Research Ability: Strong analytical skills with proven experience in international market research for vendor onboarding requirements.
• Communication: Excellent negotiation, presentation, and relationship management skills.
• Organizational Strength: Highly organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities effectively.