Category Manager jobs in United Arab Emirates

Job Title: Procurement Category Manager – Indirect

Reports To: Procurement Director

Function: Procurement

Location: DIP, Dubai

Grade: L07

The Procurement Category Manager – Indirect is responsible for developing and implementing effective sourcing and procurement strategies for indirect spend categories such as IT services, marketing, facilities management, professional services, and other non-product-related expenditures across Aujan Industries.

The role aims to optimize Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) while maintaining acceptable supply risk levels and ensuring full compliance with company policies. This position drives value creation through strategic sourcing, supplier performance management, market insights, and cross-functional collaboration with business stakeholders.

• Sourcing Strategy Development: Formulate and implement procurement strategies for indirect categories aligned with company goals and procurement policies.
• Spend Analysis: Perform detailed spend analysis and market assessments to identify savings opportunities and optimize category performance.
• Supplier Management: Identify, evaluate, and manage suppliers to ensure delivery excellence, compliance, and risk mitigation.
• Contract Negotiation: Lead negotiations to secure favorable commercial terms, ensuring contract adherence and timely renewal.
• Performance Monitoring: Define and monitor supplier KPIs, ensuring service levels, performance standards, and continuous improvement.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner with key stakeholders (Finance, Supply Chain, Operations) to align sourcing decisions with organizational objectives.
• Governance and Compliance: Ensure all procurement activities comply with Aujan’s governance framework, ethical standards, and legal requirements.
• Operational Execution: Lead RFx processes, supplier onboarding, and transition management ensuring transparency and process compliance.
• Risk Management: Identify sourcing and supplier risks, develop mitigation plans, and maintain category resilience.
• Reporting and Insights: Track and report savings, sourcing performance, and category insights to management.
• Innovation and Improvement: Identify opportunities to drive process efficiencies and enhance sourcing effectiveness through digital tools or new approaches.
• Stakeholder Engagement: Act as the primary liaison for internal clients, ensuring sourcing support and issue resolution aligned with business needs.

• Achieved cost savings and value improvements within indirect spend categories.
• Supplier performance compliance to agreed KPIs and SLAs.
• Category strategies developed and implemented within agreed timelines.
• Percentage of spend under contract and governance compliance rate.
• Supplier risk assessments completed and mitigations implemented.
• Stakeholder satisfaction levels with sourcing processes and outcomes.
• Timely execution and closure of sourcing events (RFx, contract renewals).
• Continuous improvement initiatives executed and documented annually.

• Approve sourcing recommendations and supplier selections within delegated authority.
• Lead commercial negotiations and contract discussions within approved guidelines.
• Validate supplier performance evaluations and corrective action plans.
• Recommend category strategies and sourcing decisions for leadership endorsement.
• Authorize category-specific reports, spend analyses, and sourcing documentation.

Technical Competencies

• Strong knowledge of indirect spend categories (IT, marketing, professional services, etc.).
• Expertise in spend analysis, TCO modeling, market assessment, and RFx management.
• Skilled in supplier relationship management, contract negotiation, and performance monitoring.
• Proficient in Microsoft D365, Data Warehouse systems, and advanced Excel.
• Familiar with procurement governance, risk assessment, and audit processes.
• Understanding of category strategy development and contract enablement processes.

Behavioral Competencies

• Strategic thinker with strong business acumen.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and presentation skills.
• Strong relationship management with internal and external stakeholders.
• Analytical mindset with high attention to detail and data accuracy.
• Results-oriented, self-motivated, and adaptable to dynamic business environments.
• Effective time management and project coordination skills.
• Team-oriented with leadership capability for cross-functional project teams.

• Strategic Direction: Develops and drives sourcing strategies that optimize cost, quality, and service for indirect categories aligned with organizational objectives.
• Operational Leadership: Leads sourcing and supplier management processes, ensuring execution excellence and cross-functional collaboration.
• Administrative Execution: Ensures compliance with procurement governance, documentation standards, and reporting accuracy.
• Functional Support: Provides strategic procurement insights and advisory support to business units to enable informed decision-making.