Assistant Procurement Manager - IT & Indirect Procurement

Actively engaged in multi-asset class investment activities across various geographies, carried out by a highly qualified and experienced in-house team of investment professionals using an ‘Asset Allocation Matrix’ to realize risk adjusted returns on invested capital over a long-term period. 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 routes. Ghobash Trading & Investment is also active in private financial investments, including private equity and debt, venture capital, real estate and publicly listed financial investments.

Support and execute group-wide IT and indirect procurement initiatives across multiple businesses. The role focuses on IT software & hardware sourcing, selective indirect categories, and master data discipline, while partnering closely with stakeholders across the group to drive value, compliance, and standardization—without formal authority.

JOB RESPONISBILITIES:

• Manage end-to-end sourcing, contracting, and cost-saving initiatives across key indirect spend categories, including:
  o IT software (licenses, SaaS, renewals, support agreements)
  o IT hardware (end-user devices, infrastructure components, peripherals)
  o Indirect goods (office supplies, MRO, consumables, non-production items)
  o Indirect services (professional services, facilities support, logistics, marketing, HR services)
• Drive spend consolidation across multiple business units by aggregating requirements, standardizing specifications, and establishing Group-Wide Master Agreements to achieve economies of scale, improved commercial terms, and consistent service levels.
• Actively manage stakeholder resistance and business unit pushback by clearly articulating the financial, operational, and risk benefits of centralized sourcing and contracting versus localized buying, while balancing flexibility for business-critical needs.
• Work closely with procurement teams across business clusters to align sourcing strategies, support local execution of purchases, and ensure smooth adoption of group contracts; this role may require regular visits to business offices within the UAE (approximately 4–5 times per month).
• Ensure strict compliance with the Group Procurement Policy, including sourcing thresholds, approval workflows, contract governance, and supplier onboarding requirements, while proactively identifying and addressing deviations.
• Own and govern Central Procurement master data, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and consistency of supplier records, contracts, pricing catalogues, and category classifications to support reporting, compliance, and decision-making.

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Engineering, or other related fields; Master’s degree or professional certifications (e.g., CIPS) preferred.
• 8–10 years of progressive procurement experience, with strong exposure at Assistant Manager role level.
• Demonstrated IT procurement experience, covering both hardware and software (licenses, SaaS, renewals, support agreements).
• Solid indirect sourcing experience within multi-business or diversified group environments.
• Proven experience operating within a centralized / group procurement model, supporting multiple business units.
• Strong ability to manage and influence stakeholders across diverse businesses, often without direct authority.