Senior Manager - Procurement

Company Description

Ghobash Trading & Investment (GTI) is actively engaged in multi-asset class investment activities across various geographies. These activities are carried out by a highly qualified and experienced in-house team of investment professionals. The team uses an ‘Asset Allocation Matrix’ to realize risk adjusted returns on invested capital over a long-term period.

The Company’s investment activities include direct investments in startups, taking stakes in established businesses, acquisitions of business enterprises and setting-up new businesses through collaborative joint venture route.

GTI is also active in private financial investments, including private equity and debt, venture capital, real estate, and publicly listed financial investments.

Job Description

As part of Ghobash Group’s transformation program, this newly created role will establish and lead the Group Procurement function. The Senior Manager will be responsible for setting up centralized procurement processes for general procurement categories, managing vendor onboarding, master data governance, and driving procurement excellence across the group. This role will also be instrumental in the selection and implementation of the new Vendor Management System (VMS) to standardize and digitalize procurement operations.

This is a unique opportunity to build a Group Procurement function from inception, lead critical digital transformation initiatives, and play a strategic role in driving value for a leading diversified group in the UAE.

Strategic Procurement Leadership

• Design, establish, and operationalize the Group Procurement department, aligned to the transformation program objectives.
• Develop group-wide procurement policies, frameworks, and standard operating procedures for general procurement categories.
• Define and implement procurement governance and compliance frameworks to ensure efficiency, control, and risk mitigation.
• Collaborate with business unit procurement leads to ensure alignment and synergy without impacting their operational procurement independence.

Vendor Management System Implementation

• Lead the selection process for a new Vendor Management System, working closely with IT, finance, and business stakeholders.
• Develop system requirements, evaluate vendors, and support contract negotiations.
• Oversee end-to-end implementation of the VMS, including integration with existing ERP systems and driving user adoption.

Vendor Onboarding & Master Data Management

• Establish and manage a robust vendor onboarding process to ensure thorough due diligence, compliance, and data quality.
• Set standards and processes for centralized vendor master data maintenance, working closely with business units to ensure data integrity and consistency.

Procurement Operations & Excellence

• Identify opportunities for cost savings, supplier consolidation, and value optimization across general procurement categories.
• Develop performance KPIs and reporting dashboards to monitor procurement efficiency, compliance, and savings delivery.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives within procurement operations to drive standardization and process automation.

Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Build and lead the Group Procurement team, ensuring appropriate capability development and succession planning.
• Engage and influence senior stakeholders across finance, IT, legal, and business units to drive procurement transformation
• Act as the Group’s procurement subject matter expert, advising on best practices and market trends.

Accountabilities

• Cost Savings Delivery
• Vendor Spend Optimization
• Budget Management for Procurement Function
• Contractual Value Realization
• Procurement Policy Governance Framework
• Vendor Management System Selection & Implementation
• Vendor Onboarding & Master Data Governance
• Stakeholder Engagement & Relationship Management
• Team Leadership & Capability Development

Qualifications

Bachelor's or Master's Degree

Additional Information

Experience

• 10+ years with 3+ years in a leadership role with Procurement

Skills & Abilities

• Minimum 10 years of procurement experience, with at least 3-5 years in a managerial role within a group, conglomerate, or multi-business environment.
• Proven experience in setting up or transforming procurement functions at a group or regional level.
• Demonstrated success in selecting and implementing Vendor Management or Procurement systems.
• Strong understanding of procurement governance, policies, vendor onboarding, and data management best practices.