Category Manager - Consultancy & Technology

Ports, Customs & Free Zone Corporation; Dubai; On-site; AED 300,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Port, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) in Dubai seeks a senior procurement leader to manage technology and consultancy categories, driving sourcing, supplier management, and value creation. You will lead a team, ensure governance, and deliver efficient procurement outcomes across the organization.

The role emphasizes cost optimization, risk management, and continuous improvement, with a focus on building a qualified supplier base and strong stakeholder relationships to support strategic

Qualifications

• 7+ years in procurement/strategic sourcing/category management, incl. 4+ years in technology procurement.
• 3+ years in supervisory/managerial role with team leadership and development experience.
• MCIPS is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead development and implementation of category strategies and sourcing plans.
• Oversee end-to-end procurement activities: tendering, evaluations, negotiations, contracts, planning.
• Identify cost savings, avoidance, and value creation through market analysis and strategic sourcing.
• Monitor market trends and supplier capabilities to enhance procurement outcomes.
• Build relationships with internal stakeholders to understand requirements and align strategies.
• Oversee supplier performance and participate in supplier evaluations and improvements.
• Ensure a competitive supplier base and identify potential suppliers with registration team.
• Lead commercial negotiations and manage strategic supplier relationships for optimal outcomes.
• Oversee contract management, performance, renewals, variations, and compliance.
• Ensure compliance with policies, procedures, and regulatory requirements.
• Identify procurement risks, implement controls and timely escalation.
• Drive continuous improvement, digitalization, and best practices to boost efficiency.
• Prepare and present procurement reports and performance updates to management.

Job description

About PCFC

Port, Customs and Free Zone Corporation (PCFC) is a Government of Dubai organization which unifies and consolidates the role of its constituent subsidiaries and entities, namely, Dubai Customs, Trakhees, Dubai Ports Authority, JAFZA, Dubai Maritime Authority, and PCFC Investment. Officially established in 2001, the entities under the PCFC umbrella include some of the longest serving and commercially successful government departments.

PCFC is one of the key government bodies that contributes and drives Dubai’s economic, social, geographical and political vision. PCFC has been a pioneer of trade, customs and logistics not only in Dubai but across the region. It has ignited businesses that have created some of Dubai’s most iconic landmarks, reinvented the concept of Free Zones and continues to be the catalyst in an ever-changing business landscape. As a holding corporation with a history of defining the future, PCFC continues to live up to its motto of “Prosperity through Progress” by enabling trade and logistics industry to drive Dubai’s economic growth forward.

About the Role

Lead and manage procurement activities across the Technology and Consultancy categories, ensuring effective category strategies, strategic sourcing, supplier management, and procurement delivery in alignment with organizational objectives.

The role is responsible for overseeing end-to-end procurement activities, managing stakeholder relationships, identifying cost optimization and value creation opportunities, and ensuring a competitive and qualified supplier base within the assigned categories. The incumbent will lead and develop the assigned team, ensure compliance with procurement policies and governance requirements, and drive procurement excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement to deliver efficient and value-driven procurement outcomes.

Key Accountabilities

• Lead the development and implementation of category strategies and sourcing plans aligned with organizational objectives and procurement priorities.
• Oversee end-to-end procurement activities, including tendering, evaluations, negotiations, contract awards, and procurement planning.
• Identify cost savings, cost avoidance, and value creation opportunities through market analysis, demand consolidation, and strategic sourcing.
• Monitor market trends, supplier capabilities, and industry developments to enhance competitiveness and procurement outcomes.
• Build and maintain effective relationships with internal stakeholders to understand requirements, align procurement strategies, and ensure timely delivery.
• Oversee supplier performance within assigned categories, coordinating with Procurement Governance & Excellence on supplier evaluations and improvement initiatives.
• Ensure a competitive and qualified supplier base within assigned categories, identifying market gaps and potential suppliers in coordination with the supplier registration team.
• Lead commercial negotiations and manage strategic supplier relationships to achieve optimal commercial and contractual outcomes.
• Oversee contract management activities, including contract performance, renewals, variations, and compliance with contractual obligations.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with approved policies, procedures, delegation of authority, and applicable regulatory requirements.
• Identify and mitigate procurement-related risks, ensuring appropriate controls, documentation, and timely escalation of issues.
• Monitor section KPIs, procurement cycle times, savings, and operational performance, ensuring achievement of departmental targets.
• Drive continuous improvement, digitalization, automation, and procurement best practices to enhance operational efficiency.
• Prepare and present procurement reports, recommendations, and performance updates to management and relevant committees.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management, including at least 4 years in Technology procurement.
• Minimum 3 years of experience in a supervisory or managerial role, with demonstrated responsibility for leading, managing, and developing procurement teams.
• MCIPS is preferred and a plus to have
• Proven experience managing high-value technology procurement, complex tenders, supplier negotiations, and contract awards.
• Demonstrated experience sourcing IT infrastructure, software, cloud services, telecommunications, and technology-related services.
• Experience in consultancy and professional services procurement, including sourcing advisory services, evaluating proposals, and negotiating commercial agreements.
• Proven ability to develop category strategies, manage procurement performance, deliver cost optimization, and engage with senior stakeholders.