Procurement Category Lead - Facilities Management

AlFuttaim; Dubai; On-site; AED 550,000 - 750,000; Full time

Job summary

Al-Futtaim is seeking an experienced Procurement Category Lead to drive facilities management category strategies across its automotive and facilities portfolio. You will manage a large third-party spend, lead negotiations and collaborate with diverse stakeholders to deliver cost efficiency and service improvements.

The role requires 7–10 years in procurement, strong analytical skills and leadership capabilities, with a focus on value creation, risk management and compliant governance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree is required.
• 7–10 years of procurement experience.
• Experience in category management or supplier management.
• Strong commercial analysis and stakeholder engagement.
• Proven leadership capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement procurement category strategies for facilities management services.
• Lead supplier negotiations to optimize total cost of ownership and commercial terms.
• Manage a third-party spend portfolio of approximately AED 800 million.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across business units to align requirements and priorities.
• Monitor supplier performance against KPIs and drive continuous improvement.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, budgets and regulatory requirements.

Skills

Category strategy

Facilities management

Supplier management

Commercial negotiations

Total cost of ownership

Stakeholder engagement

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Master's degree preferred

CIPS qualification desirable

Job description

Procurement Category Lead - Facilities Management Job Snapshot - Role: Procurement Category Lead - Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Industry: Automotive - Function: Purchasing - Experience: 7-10 years - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site

Position Overview

Al-Futtaim is seeking an experienced Procurement Category Lead to drive strategic sourcing and category management for Facilities Management services across its business units. The role oversees a third-party procurement spend portfolio of approximately AED 800 million, covering both hard facilities management services, including mechanical, electrical and plumbing (MEP), and soft services such as cleaning, landscaping and security. The Procurement Category Lead will develop and execute category strategies, manage supplier relationships, lead commercial negotiations and identify opportunities to improve cost efficiency and service performance. The portfolio includes automotive-related facilities and requires close collaboration with stakeholders across the organization. The successful candidate will bring 7-10 years of procurement experience, preferably in category management or supplier management, along with strong commercial analysis, stakeholder engagement and team leadership capabilities.

Job Details

• Country: United Arab Emirates
• City: Dubai
• Industry: Automotive
• Function: Purchasing
• Salary: Not disclosed
• Gender: No Preference
• Candidate Nationality: Not specified
• Job Type: Full Time
• Work Arrangement: On-site

Key Responsibilities

• Facilities Management Category Strategy
  • Develop and implement procurement category strategies aligned with organizational objectives and business requirements.
  • Manage sourcing strategies covering hard facilities management services, including mechanical, electrical and plumbing activities.
  • Oversee procurement planning for soft facilities management services, including cleaning, landscaping and security.
  • Analyze market information, supplier capabilities, stakeholder requirements and procurement expenditure to identify strategic opportunities.
  • Establish measurable category objectives and monitor progress against agreed targets.
  • Apply scenario planning to evaluate sourcing alternatives and commercial outcomes.
  • Conduct total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis, should-cost modelling and value chain mapping to identify opportunities for optimization.
  • Support cost-effective procurement solutions while maintaining alignment with business priorities.
• Strategic Spend and Demand Management
  • Support the effective management of a third-party procurement spend portfolio of approximately AED 800 million.
  • Collaborate with business stakeholders to understand operational requirements and forecast procurement demand.
  • Balance business needs with category strategies, commercial objectives and resource considerations.
  • Identify opportunities to consolidate purchasing requirements across business units.
  • Establish preferred supplier arrangements where appropriate to improve commercial terms and procurement efficiency.
  • Evaluate opportunities to optimize the supplier base through consolidation.
  • Work with stakeholders to improve specifications and achieve appropriate value from procured services.
  • Identify cost-saving opportunities while considering operational requirements and supplier performance.
• Strategic Sourcing and Contract Negotiation
  • Lead Source-to-Contract activities, including supplier identification, evaluation, selection and negotiation.
  • Develop sourcing approaches that reflect category requirements and business objectives.
  • Evaluate supplier proposals and commercial terms to support procurement decisions.
  • Negotiate with suppliers to achieve competitive pricing and suitable contractual arrangements.
  • Apply total cost analysis and commercial modelling to support sourcing recommendations.
  • Coordinate procurement projects from planning through supplier selection and contracting.
  • Ensure sourcing activities follow applicable procurement policies, budgets and regulatory requirements.
• Supplier Relationship and Performance Management
  • Build and maintain effective relationships with key third-party facilities management suppliers.
  • Manage supplier relationships throughout the relevant supplier lifecycle.
  • Monitor supplier performance against agreed objectives and procurement KPIs.
  • Identify opportunities to improve supplier effectiveness, commercial value and service delivery.
  • Work with suppliers and internal stakeholders to address performance concerns.
  • Support supplier performance evaluations and related improvement initiatives.
  • Maintain a strategic approach to supplier management that supports long-term business requirements.
• Procurement Governance and Risk Management
  • Monitor adherence to procurement policies, approved budgets and applicable regulatory requirements.
  • Identify procurement-related risks and support appropriate mitigation measures.
  • Review compliance concerns and coordinate corrective actions when required.
  • Apply established governance requirements throughout sourcing and supplier management activities.
  • Monitor procurement performance and identify areas requiring management attention.
  • Support consistent procurement practices across the facilities management category.
• Stakeholder Engagement and Business Partnership
  • Build sustainable working relationships with internal stakeholders across relevant business units.
  • Collaborate with operational teams to understand facilities management requirements and procurement priorities.
  • Influence sourcing decisions through commercial analysis, market knowledge and clear recommendations.
  • Challenge and refine service specifications where opportunities exist to improve value.
  • Communicate procurement strategies and recommendations to relevant decision-makers.
  • Manage competing stakeholder priorities while maintaining alignment with organizational objectives.
  • Apply sound judgment and stakeholder awareness when navigating complex business decisions.
• Procurement Project Management
  • Plan, organize and manage procurement projects with clearly defined objectives and timelines.
  • Coordinate project activities and allocate available resources effectively.
  • Monitor progress against procurement milestones and agreed deliverables.
  • Identify potential project delays or commercial issues and coordinate appropriate responses.
  • Use procurement tools and structured project management practices to support execution.
  • Drive process improvements that strengthen sourcing efficiency and procurement outcomes.
• Team Leadership and Talent Development
  • Provide leadership and guidance to the Sourcing Managers supporting the category.
  • Support team members in delivering category strategies and procurement objectives.
  • Promote effective collaboration and consistent procurement practices.
  • Monitor team performance and development requirements.
  • Ensure 100% completion of talent development plans for team members.
  • Encourage professional development and the effective application of procurement tools and methodologies.

Required Skills and Competencies

• Expertise in procurement category strategy development and implementation.
• Strong knowledge of facilities management sourcing and supplier markets.
• Advanced supplier relationship management and commercial negotiation skills.
• Proficiency in total cost of ownership analysis, should-cost modelling and value chain mapping.
• Strong understanding of strategic sourcing and Source-to-Contract processes.
• Experience managing procurement budgets and performance indicators.
• Ability to evaluate supplier performance and manage supplier lifecycle activities.
• Proven project management and process improvement capabilities.
• Knowledge of procurement compliance requirements and risk mitigation practices.
• Strong analytical and commercial decision-making skills.
• Excellent stakeholder management, influencing and communication abilities.
• Ability to coordinate cross-functional teams and manage complex business priorities.
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to build long-term professional relationships.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor 's degree is required.
• Master 's degree is preferred.
• CIPS qualification or an equivalent professional procurement credential is highly desirable.
• 7-10 years of procurement experience, preferably in category management and/or supplier management.
• Proven experience in procurement project management and the use of procurement tools.
• Expertise in category strategy development, total cost analysis and ecosystem mapping.
• Experience monitoring procurement compliance and implementing risk mitigation plans.
• Practical knowledge of supplier lifecycle management and performance evaluation.
• Proficiency in procurement budget management and KPI monitoring.
• Demonstrated ability to influence decisions, manage cross-functional teams and build sustainable stakeholder relationships.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.
• Additional language skills are advantageous.

Success Looks Like

The Procurement Category Lead is expected to deliver measurable commercial value through effective facilities management sourcing, supplier performance management and stakeholder collaboration. Success will be reflected in well-executed category strategies, cost optimization, appropriate supplier consolidation, procurement compliance and improved operational efficiency. The role also requires strong leadership of the sourcing team, consistent monitoring of procurement performance and completion of team talent development plans.

About Al-Futtaim

Established in the 1930s, Al-Futtaim is a diversified, privately held regional business headquartered in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Group operates across more than 20 countries, with businesses spanning automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare. Employing more than 40,000 people and representing over 200 internationally recognized brands, including Toyota, Lexus, IKEA, ACE and Marks and Spencer, Al-Futtaim serves customers and communities across multiple markets. The Group focuses on digital innovation, artificial intelligence, sustainable growth and strategic partnerships while pursuing its purpose of enriching lives and elevating communities. Its values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration and Excellence guide its approach to business operations, professional relationships and customer service.