Procurement Governance Team Lead

Solutions+ (A Mubadala company); Abu Dhabi; On-site; AED 120,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading procurement organization in Abu Dhabi is seeking a Procurement Governance Team Lead to oversee the procurement operating model. You will lead governance initiatives, manage compliance and audits, and enhance procurement practices across the organization. The ideal candidate has over 6 years of procurement experience, excellent negotiation skills, and strong project management abilities.

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in a procurement role with emphasis on processes and systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and implementation of the procurement operating model.
• Oversee procurement governance and policy implementation.
• Manage relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Skills

Excellent communication skills

Excellent sourcing & negotiation skills

Commercially savvy

Problem solving skills

Analytical skills

Strong working knowledge of Procurement Processes and systems

Project management experience

Team player

Proficient in ERP and Microsoft Office

Education

Degree in Business Management or equivalent

CIPS certification

Job description

Position Purpose:

The Procurement Governance Team Lead is responsible for leading the design, implementation, and continuous improvement of the procurement operating model across the organization. This includes oversight of procurement governance, policy, procedures, risk frameworks, and capability development to ensure consistent, efficient, and value-driven procurement practices. The role plays a critical leadership function in embedding compliance, fostering operational excellence, and enabling strategic procurement delivery aligned with organizational goals.

Role Description:

Governance & Compliance:

• Lead the implementation and monitoring of standardized methodologies for sourcing, contracting, and supplier management to ensure alignment with procurement governance frameworks and regulatory requirements.
• Own and evolve the procurement governance framework, ensuring alignment with the broader enterprise risk and compliance strategies.
• Serve as the primary liaison for internal and external audits related to procurement; oversee the closure of audit findings and ensure timely implementation of corrective actions.

Strategy & Stakeholder Management:

• Collaborate with senior stakeholders across functions to proactively identify and mitigate financial, reputational, ethical, and supply chain risks across the procurement lifecycle.
• Partner with Category Leads, Legal, Finance, and Risk to drive consistent adoption of governance best practices and ensure stakeholder alignment on key initiatives.

Operating Model Development:

• Lead regular assessments of the procurement operating model, policies, and processes, recommending and driving enhancements to support strategic procurement objectives.
• Champion the integration and adoption of end-to-end tools, templates, and processes that drive procurement effectiveness, visibility, and compliance.

Change Management & Capability Building:

• Lead change management efforts to support the roll-out of new procurement governance initiatives, ensuring buy-in, communication, and effective adoption across the organization.
• Identify organizational capability gaps; design and implement procurement training and development programs to upskill the broader procurement and business teams.
• Drive a culture of continuous improvement and knowledge sharing within the procurement governance team.

Team Leadership, Operations & Client Support:

• Manage and mentor a team of procurement governance specialists and analysts, setting clear performance objectives, providing regular feedback, and supporting professional development.
• Oversee team workload and performance to ensure high-quality, timely delivery aligned with organizational goals and evolving priorities.
• Maintain active involvement in operational procurement activities where needed, supporting execution, resolving escalations, and engaging directly with clients to ensure service excellence and compliance alignment.

Job Specific knowledge and Skills:

1. Excellent communication skills
2. Excellent sourcing & negotiation skills
3. Commercially savvy
4. Problem solving skills
5. Analytical skills
6. Strong working knowledge of Procurement Processes and systems.
7. Project management experience
8. A team player able to work effectively in a team fostered, multi-tasking environment.
9. Proficient in ERP with emphasis on Procurement, Microsoft Office suite, e.g. Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook, etc.

Qualification and Skills:

• Degree in Business Management or equivalent. CIPS certification will be an advantage.
• 6+ years of experience in a procurement role with emphasis on processes and systems