Procurement Strategy & Governance Lead (Hybrid)

Football Association of Ireland; Dublin; Hybrid; EUR 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Premium game tickets

Sick pay leave

Work at international matches

Company pension

Life assurance

Bike to work

Free onsite parking

Employee assistance programs

Hybrid working arrangements

Gym access discount

Job summary

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is seeking a Procurement Lead to drive and embed best practice across the organisation. You will lead governance, supplier selection, contract management and value-for-money initiatives while providing strategic and hands-on procurement support to departments.

Hybrid working, strong collaboration with Finance and Legal, and a focus on audit readiness and continuous improvement will shape this role at FAI HQ in Abbottstown, Dublin.

Qualifications

• Significant experience in procurement, sourcing or commercial management.

Responsibilities

• Maintain and develop the FAI Procurement Policy, procedures, templates and supporting documentation.
• Ensure procurement activity complies with internal controls, governance standards and audit requirements.
• Promote transparent, fair and ethical procurement practices.
• Monitor compliance through reviews, reporting and spot checks.
• Provide procurement updates and reporting to the Finance Director, Procurement Committee and senior leadership.
• Lead competitive tender processes for goods, services and works in line with procurement thresholds.
• Develop sourcing strategies for significant or high-risk procurements.
• Prepare tender documentation, evaluation frameworks, procurement reports and award recommendations.
• Coordinate supplier communications, evaluations and cross-functional tender teams.
• Maintain complete procurement records and audit trails.
• Act as the primary procurement advisor to FAI departments.
• Support annual procurement planning and sourcing strategies.
• Provide commercial guidance on supplier selection, market opportunities and value-for-money solutions.
• Support departments in meeting operational requirements while maintaining procurement standards.
• Manage supplier engagement while ensuring fairness, transparency and commercial value.
• Support supplier onboarding by coordinating procurement, due diligence and contract documentation requirements.
• Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation and strategic sourcing.
• Support commercial negotiations and supplier performance reviews.
• Facilitate supplier performance reviews with business owners, monitoring agreed SLAs and KPIs where appropriate.
• Work with business units to support effective contract management.
• Work closely with Legal and Finance teams to ensure appropriate review and approval processes are followed.
• Ensure procurement activity aligns with approved budgets, Delegation of Authority and the FAI PO policy.
• Ensure procurement documentation supports contract execution and audit requirements.
• Identify opportunities to improve procurement processes, efficiency and value delivery.
• Develop procurement guidance, templates and tools for FAI staff.
• Provide procurement awareness and guidance across the organisation.
• Deliver procurement training and awareness sessions to staff, budget holders and key stakeholders to promote compliance with procurement policies and best practice.
• Maintain knowledge of procurement best practice and regulatory developments.

Skills

Procurement experience

Tender management

Governance & compliance

Tender documentation

Contract negotiations

Stakeholder management

Communication & reporting

Analytical skills

Education

CIPS qualification

Tools

Procurement systems

Job description

The Football Association of Ireland (FAI) is seeking a Procurement Lead to drive and embed best practice across the organisation. You will lead governance, supplier selection, contract management and value-for-money initiatives while providing strategic and hands-on procurement support to departments.

Hybrid working, strong collaboration with Finance and Legal, and a focus on audit readiness and continuous improvement will shape this role at FAI HQ in Abbottstown, Dublin.