Overview Of The Role:

The Category Lead for Facilities Management is instrumental in developing and implementing procurement strategies that align with organizational objectives, focusing on a vast portfolio of Hard and Soft Services. The role is key in managing third-party vendors, optimizing the supplier base, and ensuring substantial cost savings. Tasked with an annual spend of AED 800M, the role demands balancing business needs with cost-effective procurement tactics, while leading a team to enhance efficiency and compliance. Success in this role is marked by strategic thinking, influence on decision-making processes, and capability to foster collaborative relationships across the organization.

What You Will Do:

Strategic Procurement Leadership

• Develop clear, measurable category strategies by analyzing market data, stakeholder input, and organizational needs.
• Conduct scenario planning, including total cost of ownership analysis, and identify optimization opportunities to achieve a 10% year-on-year cost reduction.
• Ensure adherence to procurement policies, budgets, and regulatory requirements, maintaining 100% compliance.
• Plan, organize, and manage procurement projects with clear objectives and timelines, implementing process improvements annually.
• Complete talent development plans for team members with a 100% completion rate.

Demand Management

• Collaborate with stakeholders to balance business needs and procurement strategies, building a project pipeline to support upcoming requirements.
• Identify cost-effective methods to achieve business objectives, establishing Preferred Suppliers to optimize supplier base and improve commercials through consolidation.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Lead the Source-to-Contract process, ensuring supplier identification, selection, and negotiation within 45 days on average.
• Build and maintain relationships with key suppliers to ensure alignment with business goals and optimize supplier performance, aiming for 90% performance metrics.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to optimize specifications and align them with organizational value, achieving an 85% satisfaction rate in feedback surveys.
• Build sustainable relationships demonstrating political astuteness to influence decision-making processes, facilitating the creation of cross-functional Stakeholder Committees.

Skills

Required Skills To Be Successful:

• Strategic planning and execution in procurement initiatives.
• Advanced skills in compliance and risk management.
• Proficiency in supplier relationship management and negotiation.
• Effective stakeholder engagement and communication skills.

What Qualifies You For The Role:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• CIPS (or equivalent) qualification is highly desirable.
• 7-10 years of procurement experience, preferably in category management and/or supplier management.
• Proven experience in project management and procurement tools.
• Excellent written and spoken English; additional languages are a plus.
• Expertise in category strategies, total cost analysis, and ecosystem mapping.
• Skilled in supplier lifecycle management, collaboration, and performance evaluation.
• Familiarity with procurement systems and e-catalogue management.
• Ability to influence decisions, manage cross-functional teams, and build long-term relationships.