Procurement Category Manager – Directs

Confidential; Dubai; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading procurement firm in Dubai is seeking a Procurement Category Manager to develop and implement sourcing strategies. The ideal candidate will have 7–10 years of Category Management experience, focusing on direct procurement for raw materials and packaging. This role requires strong negotiation skills, market analysis, and the ability to drive innovation. Join us to enhance our procurement processes and ensure supply continuity.

Qualifications

• Minimum 7–10 years’ Category Management experience.
• At least 3–5 years in direct procurement.

Responsibilities

• Develop sourcing strategies for direct categories.
• Execute sourcing events and ensure supplier selection.
• Track supplier performance against KPIs.
• Act as the point of contact for sourcing needs.

Skills

Supplier negotiations

Spend analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Market monitoring

Innovation in materials

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain or related field

Professional certifications (MCIPS, PMP, SCMP)

Job description

Job Purpose

The Procurement Category Manager for directs is responsible for developing and implementing procurement strategies that optimize Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) while ensuring supply continuity, quality, and innovation. This role covers raw materials, packaging, and production-critical components, requiring close collaboration with Manufacturing, R&D, Supply Chain, and Finance.

Responsibilities

Strategy & Analysis

• Develop sourcing strategies for direct categories aligned with business needs and supply chain requirements.
• Conduct spend analysis to inform sourcing strategies and consolidation opportunities.
• Manage supplier selection, negotiations, and performance, ensuring competitive cost, quality, and delivery.
• Monitor commodity markets and provide insights to anticipate risks and opportunities.
• Drive innovation by exploring alternative materials, suppliers, and technologies.

Operational

• Execute sourcing events (RFx, e-auctions) and ensure transparent supplier selection.
• Lead cross-functional engagement (commercial, quality, technical) in supplier onboarding and contract management.
• Track supplier performance against KPIs (on-time delivery, quality, cost adherence).
• Support quarterly supplier reviews to drive continuous improvement and supply reliability.

Financial / Governance

• Ensure compliance with governance and procurement policies.
• Track and report cost savings, risk mitigation, and contract compliance.
• Proactively manage commodity and supply risks through dual sourcing or hedging strategies.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the first point of contact for sourcing needs from Manufacturing, R&D, and Supply Chain.
• Provide clear communication, resolve sourcing issues, and ensure alignment with production requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Operations Management, Engineering, or related field.
• Professional certifications (MCIPS, PMP, SCMP) preferred.
• 7–10 years’ Category Management experience, with at least 3–5 years in direct procurement (raw materials, packaging, or components).