Procurement Manager

About the Company: They are a renowned group providing diverse educational programs across various fields, fostering academic excellence with a global presence.

Job Summary:

The Head of Procurement will lead and manage all procurement activities, focusing on cost-effectiveness, vendor relationships, and ensuring the timely and quality delivery of goods and services. This senior role involves overseeing a team of 4-5 members and managing procurement across various functions, including vendors/infrastructure, logistics, transport vendors, university buses, student coordination, transport, PR, facilities, and events logistics. The ideal candidate will have 8-10 years of relevant experience, preferably within a similar industry (education, university experience outside of the UAE). The role is being revamped to increase scope and responsibilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and manage the end-to-end procurement process, including sourcing, vendor selection, contract negotiation, and purchase order management.
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with vendors for infrastructure, logistics, transport, and facilities.
• Manage transport vendors, university buses, and student transportation coordination.
• Sourced and managed vendors for PR, events, and logistics.
• Ensure cost-effective procurement of goods and services.
• Contract Management:
• Negotiate contracts with vendors to secure favorable terms and conditions.
• Manage the AMC (Annual Maintenance Contract) side of procurement.
• Ensure all contracts comply with relevant legal and regulatory requirements, including those from relevant authorities and Dubai Municipality/TCOM (if applicable to freezone operations).
• Projects & Quality:
• Oversee procurement related to projects, ensuring timely delivery and adherence to quality standards.
• Ensure quality of procured projects.
• Manage the NEPC (if applicable).
• Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management:
• Lead and manage a team of 4-5 procurement professionals.
• Manage relationships with internal stakeholders, including education, finance, IT, HR, and facilities departments.
• Act as a functional head for the business enabling team, supporting business operations.
• Provide regular reports to the CEO on procurement activities, performance, and cost savings.
• Strategic Sourcing & Process Improvement:
• Develop and implement procurement strategies to optimize costs, improve efficiency, and mitigate risks.
• Identify and implement process improvements to streamline the procurement process.
• Ensure compliance with company policies and procedures.

Desired Candidate Profile:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field; a Master's degree is preferred.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in procurement, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Certifications such as Certified Purchasing Manager (CPM) or Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM) are highly desirable.
• Fluency in English is essential, with additional languages considered an asset for global supplier interactions.
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills to effectively assess supplier proposals and market conditions.
• Exceptional leadership and team management abilities to inspire high performance within the procurement team.
• Demonstrated strategic thinking capabilities to align procurement activities with broader business objectives.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.