Procurement Manager

Overview

Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi / On-site

Role Summary

• The Procurement Manager will lead end-to-end procurement activities across spend categories to ensure value, compliance, and risk management in a regulated financial services environment. The role is responsible for strategic sourcing, contract negotiations, supplier performance, and stakeholder management. The successful candidate will combine commercial acumen with strong governance, confidentiality and ethics.

1) Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

• Lead sourcing strategies and category plans across key spend areas (e.g., professional services, market data, IT/SaaS, cybersecurity, legal, consulting, audit, facilities, travel, corporate services). Build and manage procurement pipelines, including market scans, supplier benchmarking, and cost models (TCO, price-volume analysis).
• Run end-to-end sourcing events (RFI/RFP/RFQ), evaluate bids, and execute award recommendations aligned to value, risk, and performance criteria.
• Develop and maintain preferred supplier panels/frameworks (e.g., consulting, legal, recruiters, market data vendors) to streamline sourcing and improve outcomes.

2) Contracting & Commercial Negotiation

• Lead commercial negotiations and support contracting workflows, ensuring favorable pricing, service levels, liability terms, and performance remedies.
• Partner with Legal/Compliance to ensure contracts reflect regulatory, confidentiality, data protection, and information security requirements.
• Own contract lifecycle management (renewals, variations, terminations), proactively managing renewal calendars and avoiding auto-renewal leakage.
• Define and negotiate SLAs/KPIs, service credits, and governance structures for strategic vendors.

3) Stakeholder Partnership

• Serve as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders (Investment Teams, Portfolio Operations, Finance, Risk, Legal, Technology, HR, and Admin).
• Translate stakeholder needs into procurement strategies; challenge demand and specifications to optimize cost and ensure fit-for-purpose outcomes.
• Support procurement governance committees and ensure adherence to policies, delegation of authority (DOA), and approval matrices.

4) Supplier & Performance Management

• Manage supplier risk assessments (financial viability, operational resilience, cyber posture, data handling) and mitigate concentration/third-party risk.
• Drive issue resolution and contract compliance, including invoice disputes and SLA adherence.

5) Compliance, Risk & Controls

• Ensure procurement practices align with internal controls, audit requirements, and relevant regulatory expectations for financial institutions.
• Maintain documentation and audit trails for sourcing decisions, due diligence, conflicts of interest, and approvals.

6) Financial Impact & Reporting

• Deliver measurable savings and value creation through negotiations, demand management, and process optimization.
• Track and report procurement KPIs (savings, cost avoidance, cycle time, contract coverage, supplier performance, compliance rates).
• Support procurement planning through spend analytics and supplier insights.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, Economics, or related field (Master’s preferred).
• Minimum 9 years of progressive procurement experience, including strategic sourcing and contract negotiation.
• Demonstrated procurement experience within financial services and/or investment environments such as: – Sovereign wealth funds, investment funds/asset managers, private equity firms, venture capital firms, family offices, or investment banks.
• Strong track record managing complex categories, especially professional services (legal, consulting, audit), technology/SaaS, market data, and/or outsourced services.
• Proven ability to influence senior stakeholders and manage cross-functional priorities in a fast-paced, confidential environment.
• Procurement experience in the MENA region, preferable in UAE.
• English language required (Arabic language will be a plus)
• Experience supporting governance, audit readiness, and third-party risk considerations.

Preferred Certifications

• CIPS (Level 4+), CPSM, CPM, or equivalent procurement/supply chain certification.
• Contract management certification (e.g., WorldCC/IACCM) is an advantage.

Technical & Professional Skills

• Expert negotiation and commercial acumen; strong understanding of contract terms and vendor commercials (pricing models, SLAs, liability).
• Strong analytical skills and comfort with spend analysis, cost modeling, and business case development.
• Supplier relationship management and performance governance.
• Excellent written and verbal communication; ability to produce clear sourcing recommendations and executive-ready materials.
• Digital proficient (Oracle Fusion is preferred)

Behavioral Competencies

• Integrity and discretion (high confidentiality environment).
• Strategic mindset with hands-on execution capability.
• Stakeholder empathy and influencing skills; ability to challenge constructively.
• Attention to detail, strong follow-through, and proactive risk management.
• Continuous improvement orientation and comfort navigating ambiguity.
• Interested candidates should send their CV along with the following details:
• Expected salary
• Visa/Work Permit status