Category Lead, IT | Emirati Talent

ROLE SUMMARY

The IT Category Lead will own assigned procurement categories across all Business Units (BUs), driving category strategy, supplier management, sourcing efficiency, cost savings and compliance. The role will consolidate Group-wide demand, optimize supplier partnerships, manage preferred supplier panels and guide UAE & Egypt-based execution teams to ensure alignment with Group procurement objectives.

ROLE PROFILE

• Develop and implement category strategies, standards and preferred supplier panels aligned with Group procurement objectives.
• Consolidate demand across BUs to maximize sourcing efficiencies, supplier leverage, cost savings and commercial value.
• Own category sourcing outcomes, supplier consolidation and the quality of deliverables from UAE & Egypt-based execution teams.
• Manage supplier relationships in coordination with the SRM CoE, including supplier performance reviews and QBRs.
• Act as the primary procurement SPOC for assigned BUs, managing demand intake, stakeholder relationships and routing requests to the relevant Category Leads.
• Ensure compliance with DOA, procurement policies, governance standards and alignment with business requirements.
• Monitor and report category performance, savings, sourcing pipelines and supplier consolidation opportunities to the Procurement Cluster Director.
• Drive collaboration across BUs, procurement stakeholders, SRM, Excellence CoE and Egypt execution teams, resolving issues and ensuring clear accountability.

REQUIREMENTS

• Strong IT category management, strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, negotiations and spend analysis.
• Effective communication, adaptability, business acumen, partnership building and data/digital literacy.
• Strategic thinking, accountability, decision-making, stakeholder trust, talent development, innovation and change leadership.
• Minimum 12 years in category management, strategic sourcing or procurement, with deep category expertise and multi-BU stakeholder exposure.
• Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline; CIPS or equivalent certification preferred. Proficiency in Coupa, Oracle Fusion or SAP S/4HANA and Power BI.
• Achievement of Group savings targets, sourcing cycle time, DOA and policy compliance, and supplier performance.