IT Category Manager - Strategic Procurement and Vendor Management - GEMS Education - Dubai, UAE

Gems Education UAE; Dubai; On-site; AED 245,520 - 357,120; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive tax-free salary

Comprehensive benefits package

Exposure to large-scale IT projects

Opportunity for career progression

Job summary

Gems Education UAE is looking for an IT Category Manager to lead strategic procurement in Dubai. This role involves optimizing costs and managing vendor governance across technology solutions.

The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree with CIPS Level 4 and 5 to 7 years of relevant procurement experience. The position offers a competitive salary and the chance to influence major technology initiatives within a global education network.

Join a collaborative culture focused on operational excellence and career progression.

Qualifications

• 5 to 7 years of IT procurement experience within a medium to large organization.
• Strong experience managing IT hardware, software licensing, cloud services and telecom categories.
• Proven ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders.
• Excellent negotiation, contract management and commercial evaluation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute IT procurement category strategies aligned with business and digital transformation objectives.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing processes including RFP, RFQ and RFI management.
• Monitor supplier performance through defined KPIs and SLA tracking.

Skills

Strategic sourcing and category management

Vendor relationship management

Contract negotiation and compliance

Budget control and savings tracking

Risk assessment and governance

Digital procurement support

Education

Bachelor's degree with CIPS Level 4 desirable

Job description

IT Category Manager - Strategic Procurement and Vendor Management - GEMS Education - Dubai, UAE

Position Overview

An established education group in Dubai is seeking a skilled IT Category Manager to lead strategic procurement across hardware, software, cloud services, SaaS platforms and telecom solutions. This role plays a critical part in driving cost optimization, vendor governance, digital transformation alignment and total cost of ownership improvement within a complex multi-stakeholder environment.

Job Details

Country: UAE City: Dubai Industry: Education Management Function: Purchasing Salary: 22000-32000 monthly (Market estimated) Gender: Any Candidate Nationality: Any Job Type: Full-time

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and execute IT procurement category strategies aligned with business and digital transformation objectives
• Conduct spend analysis, supplier benchmarking and market intelligence reviews
• Lead end-to-end sourcing processes including RFP, RFQ and RFI management
• Negotiate commercial terms, service level agreements and pricing structures with technology vendors
• Establish preferred supplier programs and maintain strategic vendor relationships
• Monitor supplier performance through defined KPIs and SLA tracking
• Draft and manage IT contracts including renewals, licensing and subscription agreements
• Ensure compliance with procurement governance, cybersecurity and data privacy standards
• Partner with IT, Finance and Legal teams to support major technology initiatives
• Manage category budgets, forecast spend and deliver annual cost-saving targets
• Conduct supplier risk assessments and ensure business continuity planning

Ideal Profile

• Bachelor's degree with CIPS Level 4 desirable
• 5 to 7 years of IT procurement experience within a medium to large organization
• Strong experience managing IT hardware, software licensing, cloud services and telecom categories
• Proven ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders
• Experience operating within matrix-driven and cross-functional environments
• Excellent negotiation, contract management and commercial evaluation skills
• Strong written and verbal communication skills in English

Skills Set

• Strategic sourcing and category management
• Vendor relationship management
• Contract negotiation and compliance
• Budget control and savings tracking
• Risk assessment and governance
• Digital procurement support

Why Join Us

• Competitive tax‑free salary and comprehensive benefits package
• Exposure to large-scale IT and digital transformation projects
• Opportunity to influence procurement strategy across a regional education network
• Collaborative leadership culture with cross‑functional engagement
• Long‑term career progression within a globally recognised education organisation

About the Company

GEMS Education is an international education group operating schools across the MENASA region and beyond. With a strong focus on operational excellence and innovation, the organisation supports digital transformation initiatives and strategic procurement governance to enhance service delivery across its global network.