Sr. Category Specialist

Job Summary

Key Accountabilities

• Lead and supervise contracting and procurement activities across the full need-to-pay cycle, including supplier prequalification, tendering, contract establishment, capital procurement, and logistics coordination.
• Review and approve tendering strategies, bid analyses, evaluation reports, negotiation approaches, and contract documentation to ensure alignment with approved strategies, company procedures, and applicable standards.
• Be an active User of IT Systems, such as: SAP / Ariba, Docusign, Sievo, etc.
• Lead complex sourcing events, tenders, and negotiations, representing the Head of Sections in meetings and events when required.
• Lead the team and support managing the performance of the team through EPAS (“Employee Performance Appraisal System”).
• Manage supplier relationships, contract renewals, and performance reviews.
• Ensure supplier compliance and resolve performance issues.
• Mentor and guide Category Specialists, sharing best practices and sourcing knowledge.
• Support process improvement initiatives and team development.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies and procedures.
• Track and report on category KPIs, savings, and supplier performance.
• Identify and implement process improvements and support adoption of new technologies, including AI and automation.
• Stay updated on industry trends and market developments.
• Supporting Center of Excellence in the creation and revision of procurement processes.
• Good knowledge and experience of contracting acumen.
• Present category strategies and results to senior management and committees.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to ensure category strategies meet business needs.
• Ensure category strategies support company objectives, growth, sustainability goals and risk management.
• Drive cost reduction and process optimization to enhance team productivity and efficiency.
• Promote use of AI, automation, and digital tools to optimize category management.
• Implement new technologies to improve efficiency and data-driven decision-making.
• Train and mentor fresh graduates to build local procurement talent.

Desired Candidate Profile

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering discipline, finance or relevant field.
• Professional certification (CIPS, CPSM, or equivalent) will be added as an advantage.
• Minimum of 8 Years of direct and relevant experience, within the Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, or Large Manufacturing Industry.
• Having good knowledge & experience in Contracting and Procurement Financial Aspects.
• Having good knowledge & experience in Contracts and Procurement IT and IMS Tools.
• Having good knowledge & experience in Contracting Strategy and Tendering Procedure.
• Having good knowledge & experience in Contractor and Supplier Prequalification.
• Having good knowledge & experience in Agreement, Contract preparation and management.
• Having good knowledge & experience in Finalizing Agreements and Contracts.
• Having good knowledge & experience in Change Order, Claim and Contract Dispute Settlement.
• Having good knowledge & experience in Contractor Service Quality and Performance Audits.