Head of Procurement

Albatha Group; Sharjah; On-site; AED 250,000 - 350,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading company in the region seeks a Head of Procurement to develop and execute a comprehensive procurement strategy. This role entails optimizing processes, managing supplier relationships, and driving cost savings. The ideal candidate will possess at least 15 years of experience, including strategic sourcing and leadership in complex projects. The position offers significant responsibilities and the opportunity to shape procurement practices within the organization.

Qualifications

• 15-20 years of progressive procurement experience with 7 years in a senior leadership role.
• Strong knowledge of procurement best practices in construction.
• Exceptional leadership abilities and strong decision-making skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement comprehensive procurement strategy.
• Oversee global procurement activities and manage contracts.
• Drive cost savings and optimize procurement processes.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Supplier relationship management

Cost management

Strategic sourcing

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or Business Administration

MBA or Advanced Degree

Professional certifications such as CIPS or CPSM

Tools

e-procurement platforms

ERP systems (SAP, Oracle)

Advanced analytics tools

Job description

Job Overview

The Head of Procurement will be a key member of the senior management team, reporting directly to the Commercial Director. The role is responsible for developing and executing a robust procurement strategy to support the company’s operations across all division. This includes driving cost savings, optimizing procurement processes, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring the efficient procurement of goods and services. He/She will lead efforts in process improvement, operational efficiency, and cost management, while ensuring alignment with the company’s overall business goals.

Key Accountabilities

Roles and Responsibilities

• Strategic Procurement Leadership: Lead the development and implementation of a comprehensive, long-term procurement strategy that aligns with the company’s overall business objectives. Ensure procurement initiatives support the company’s goals in revenue growth, profitability, and market competitiveness.
• Global Supply Chain Optimization: Oversee the company’s global procurement activities, managing high-value contracts and supplier relationships across multiple countries and industries. Implement strategies that optimize the entire supply chain, enhancing efficiency and reducing operational bottlenecks.
• Cost Management & Savings Delivery: Drive initiatives to deliver significant cost savings through effective contract negotiation, bulk procurement strategies, and strategic sourcing. Ensure procurement processes contribute to improved profitability and cost reduction across all business units.
• Technology Integration & Innovation: Spearhead the integration of advanced procurement technologies, such as e-procurement platforms, automation, and AI-driven analytics, to modernize procurement operations, improve decision-making, and enhance supply chain transparency.
• Process Excellence & Continuous Improvement: Establish and enforce standardized procurement processes and procedures to ensure consistency, quality, and compliance. Lead continuous improvement programs aimed at optimizing procurement workflows and reducing cycle times.
• Supplier Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong, long-term partnerships with key suppliers, ensuring competitive pricing, timely delivery, and quality assurance. Conduct regular supplier performance evaluations to foster innovation and collaboration.
• Risk Mitigation & Compliance: Develop and implement risk management strategies to minimize supply chain disruptions, ensure supplier compliance with industry standards and regulations, and uphold the company’s ethical sourcing principles.
• Leadership & Stakeholder Engagement: Lead and mentor a high-performing procurement team, fostering a culture of excellence and accountability. Collaborate closely with key internal stakeholders, including finance, operations, legal, and engineering, to align procurement activities with business needs.
• Sustainability & ESG Initiatives: Champion sustainability efforts in procurement by promoting ethical and environmentally responsible sourcing practices.

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain management, Business Administration, or a related field. An MBA or advanced degree is highly preferred.
• Professional certifications such as CIPS (Chartered Institute of Procurement & Supply), CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management), or equivalent are required.
• Strong knowledge of procurement best practices in construction business, with hands-on experience in technology sourcing for the contracting industry especially in the field of MEP, Civil, Power and Facilities Management.
• Exceptional leadership abilities with a demonstrated capacity to lead cross-functional teams, mentor junior procurement staff, and influence senior executives. Strong decision-making, problem-solving, and negotiation skills.
• Proficiency in e-procurement platforms, ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle), and advanced analytics tools for procurement performance management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers. Strong analytical skills and a strategic mindset.

Experience

• Minimum of 15 to 20 years of progressive procurement experience, with at least 7 years in a senior leadership role within the contracting, construction, or engineering industries. Proven track record of managing procurement in large, complex projects and across multiple regions.
• Proven experience in formulating and implementing procurement strategies for large-scale, multi-disciplinary projects and Facilities Management.
• Track record of delivering significant cost savings through strategic sourcing, contract negotiation, and procurement process optimization.
• Expertise in leveraging technology to improve procurement processes, reduce costs, and enhance operational efficiency.