Procurement Manager - Media and Marketing (Emiratization) Job Snapshot - Role: Procurement Manager - Media and Marketing (Emiratization) - Location: Dubai, United Arab Emirates - Industry: Purchasing Procurement - Function: Purchasing - Experience: 4-5 years of progressive experience in procurement, category management or strategic sourcing - Job Type: Full Time - Work Arrangement: On-site
Position Overview
Al-Futtaim Group is seeking an experienced Procurement Manager (Emiratization) to lead strategic sourcing and category management activities across Media and Marketing procurement categories in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The position involves managing an annual procurement spend exceeding AED 100 million, developing commercially effective sourcing strategies, negotiating complex supplier agreements and ensuring compliance with Al-Futtaim Group procurement policies. Working with stakeholders across different Group divisions, the Procurement Manager will support high-value procurement initiatives, strengthen supplier relationships, identify cost-saving opportunities and manage commercial risks. The role requires strong business acumen, advanced negotiation capabilities and the ability to influence procurement decisions through structured financial analysis and fact-based recommendations. The successful candidate will also lead and develop Procurement Executives, helping strengthen sourcing, negotiation and contract management capabilities within the team.
Key Responsibilities
Category Management and Sourcing Strategy
- Develop and manage comprehensive procurement strategies for assigned categories, particularly Media and Marketing.
- Align category sourcing strategies with Al-Futtaim Group 's business objectives and procurement policies.
- Establish measurable sourcing targets covering cost savings, service quality and risk mitigation.
- Manage procurement activities associated with annual expenditure exceeding AED 100 million.
- Identify opportunities to improve commercial value and supplier performance.
- Evaluate market conditions and procurement requirements to support category planning.
- Apply strategic sourcing methodologies to complex and high-value procurement initiatives.
- Review sourcing approaches and adapt procurement strategies to changing business requirements.
- Support consistent execution of category strategies across relevant Group divisions.
Strategic Sourcing and Tender Management
- Lead end-to-end sourcing projects involving Requests for Information (RFI), Requests for Proposals (RFP) and Requests for Quotations (RFQ).
- Select appropriate sourcing methods based on commercial requirements and procurement objectives.
- Develop effective negotiation strategies for high-value and complex supplier engagements.
- Evaluate supplier proposals against relevant commercial and operational requirements.
- Coordinate sourcing activities with internal stakeholders to support business priorities.
- Apply structured analysis when assessing procurement alternatives.
- Adapt negotiation tactics to achieve favorable commercial and strategic outcomes.
- Maintain a disciplined approach to sourcing decisions and supplier selection.
- Ensure procurement initiatives support measurable business value.
Supplier Contract Management
- Lead the negotiation and structuring of supplier contracts.
- Manage supplier agreements throughout the contract lifecycle.
- Review commercial terms and conditions to protect Al-Futtaim Group 's interests.
- Ensure supplier agreements incorporate appropriate key performance indicators and service level requirements.
- Coordinate with Legal, Finance and relevant internal subject matter experts during contract negotiations and management.
- Evaluate contractual risks and support appropriate mitigation measures.
- Maintain effective relationships with strategic suppliers.
- Monitor contractual obligations and address relevant commercial concerns.
- Support consistent application of agreed supplier performance requirements.
Procurement Compliance and Risk Management
- Monitor end-to-end procurement compliance within assigned categories.
- Ensure sourcing and contract management activities follow Al-Futtaim Group procurement policies.
- Identify instances of procurement non-compliance and investigate their underlying causes.
- Apply appropriate risk management methods to evaluate commercial and supplier-related risks.
- Develop practical recommendations to address identified procurement risks.
- Coordinate corrective actions when supplier or procurement performance falls below expectations.
- Support supplier improvement plans and collaborative performance initiatives.
- Balance supplier relationships with commercial requirements, compliance obligations and risk considerations.
- Promote transparent, accountable and commercially responsible procurement practices.
Supplier Relationship and Performance Management
- Manage key supplier relationships across assigned Media and Marketing categories.
- Maintain productive engagement with strategic vendors and service providers.
- Monitor supplier performance against contractual requirements and agreed service metrics.
- Identify opportunities to improve service delivery and commercial outcomes.
- Lead supplier improvement discussions and coordinate corrective action plans.
- Encourage collaboration with suppliers while maintaining appropriate commercial controls.
- Evaluate supplier-related risks and performance concerns.
- Support long-term supplier relationships that contribute to business objectives.
Stakeholder Management and Business Partnering
- Act as a trusted procurement business partner and adviser to internal stakeholders.
- Build effective working relationships across Al-Futtaim Group divisions.
- Understand business requirements and translate them into appropriate procurement strategies.
- Provide commercially sound advice on sourcing options and supplier engagement.
- Influence stakeholder decisions through structured, evidence-based recommendations.
- Communicate procurement risks, opportunities and commercial considerations clearly.
- Coordinate with Finance, Legal and other relevant functions when required.
- Maintain alignment between procurement activities and wider business objectives.
- Support effective collaboration throughout complex sourcing and contract management activities.
Financial Analysis and Commercial Decision-Making
- Apply financial analysis and market intelligence to category management and sourcing decisions.
- Evaluate procurement expenditure and identify opportunities to achieve measurable cost savings.
- Incorporate budget considerations into sourcing strategies and supplier negotiations.
- Assess relevant costs, tax implications and total cost of ownership when evaluating commercial proposals.
- Support the preparation of procurement-related business cases.
- Develop fact-based commercial recommendations for internal stakeholders.
- Evaluate the financial implications of supplier agreements and sourcing alternatives.
- Balance cost efficiency with service quality, supplier performance and risk management.
- Support commercially disciplined procurement decisions across assigned categories.
Procurement Team Leadership and Development
- Lead, coach and develop Procurement Executives.
- Provide guidance on strategic sourcing methodologies and category management practices.
- Support team members in preparing and conducting supplier negotiations.
- Develop procurement capabilities relating to contract management and commercial evaluation.
- Encourage consistent application of procurement policies and procedures.
- Promote high-quality execution of sourcing and supplier management activities.
- Share relevant market knowledge and procurement best practices.
- Support professional development through coaching and practical guidance.
- Foster accountability, collaboration and effective procurement performance.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor 's degree or equivalent qualification is required.
- A postgraduate qualification, such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), is advantageous.
- A recognized Procurement or Supply Chain certification is advantageous.
- Relevant professional certifications may include Chartered Institute of Procurement and Supply (CIPS) or Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM).
Required Professional Experience
- 4-5 years of progressive experience in procurement, category management or strategic sourcing.
- Demonstrated experience leading strategic sourcing projects.
- Proven ability to manage important supplier relationships.
- Experience handling complex procurement requirements and commercial negotiations.
- Knowledge of category management and strategic sourcing methodologies.
- Experience negotiating supplier contracts and managing commercial terms.
- Experience in Marketing and Advertising procurement or related categories is preferred.
- Ability to work effectively with stakeholders across different business functions.
- Experience applying commercial analysis to sourcing and procurement decisions.
Required Skills and Competencies
- Strong strategic thinking and business acumen.
- Advanced category management and strategic sourcing capabilities.
- Excellent commercial negotiation skills.
- Proficiency in negotiating complex supplier contracts and commercial terms.
- Strong understanding of procurement compliance and risk management.
- Ability to evaluate supplier performance and coordinate improvement initiatives.
- Sound financial judgment and commercial analytical skills.
- Understanding of budgeting, cost considerations and total cost of ownership.
- Strong stakeholder management and influencing capabilities.
- Ability to present structured and fact-based recommendations.
- Effective communication and relationship management skills.
- Ability to manage complex procurement initiatives involving multiple stakeholders.
- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.
- Leadership, coaching and team development capabilities.
- Ability to balance business responsiveness with procurement governance and commercial discipline.
- Commitment to professional integrity, accountability and consistent procurement execution.
Candidate Profile
Al-Futtaim Group is looking for a commercially focused procurement professional with experience developing sourcing strategies, negotiating complex supplier agreements and managing strategic vendor relationships. The successful candidate will demonstrate strong analytical judgment, effective stakeholder management and the ability to deliver measurable procurement value. Experience in Media, Marketing or Advertising procurement will be particularly relevant to the position. The role requires a proactive individual who can manage complex commercial priorities, maintain procurement compliance and provide professional guidance to Procurement Executives. A collaborative approach, strong business awareness and the ability to influence decisions through reliable commercial analysis will be important for success.
Emiratization
This position is designated as an Emiratization opportunity within Al-Futtaim Group. The role is intended to support the participation of UAE nationals in professional procurement and category management positions. Applicants should demonstrate the qualifications, experience and professional capabilities specified for the Procurement Manager position.
Al-Futtaim 's Talent Acquisition team assesses candidates based on relevant professional qualifications, experience, behavioral competencies and alignment with the Group 's values. The company 's stated values include Respect, Integrity, Collaboration and Excellence. Al-Futtaim aims to