Group Head of Procurement

Location: UAEIndustry: Multiple Business SectorsEmployment Type: Full-Time | Senior LeadershipAbout the OpportunityOur client is a Multiple Business Sectors and growing UAE-based business group with operations across multiple industries and business verticals. The Group is strengthening its procurement function and is seeking an experienced Group Head of Procurement to lead procurement strategy, governance, cost optimization, supplier management, and procurement transformation across the Group.The successful candidate will have the opportunity to build and lead a more centralized, strategic, and commercially focused procurement function supporting multiple operating companies and business units.Key Responsibilities1. Group Procurement StrategyDevelop and implement the Group-wide procurement strategy aligned with overall business objectives.Establish procurement policies, procedures, governance frameworks, and approval authorities.Drive the transition from transactional purchasing to strategic procurement.Identify opportunities for Group-wide procurement consolidation and economies of scale.Establish annual procurement plans and measurable procurement KPIs.2. Cost Optimization & Commercial ExcellenceLead cost-saving and cost-avoidance initiatives across the Group.Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, competitive bidding, volume negotiations, and contract optimization.Establish benchmarking and should-cost analysis where appropriate.Monitor procurement spend and identify areas of leakage or uncontrolled expenditure.Partner closely with Finance and business leaders to improve overall procurement value.3. Supplier & Vendor ManagementDevelop and maintain a robust supplier management framework.Lead strategic negotiations with key suppliers and service providers.Establish supplier evaluation, onboarding, performance monitoring, and review mechanisms.Develop preferred supplier and framework agreements where commercially beneficial.Manage supplier risks, performance issues, disputes, and escalation matters.4. Procurement GovernanceEnsure procurement activities comply with Group policies, delegated authorities, and applicable regulations.Strengthen controls around quotations, tenders, purchase orders, contracts, and supplier selection.Introduce appropriate segregation of duties and procurement approval controls.Establish transparent tendering and competitive bidding processes.Support internal and external audits relating to procurement activities.5. Procurement Transformation & TechnologyLead the digitization and standardization of procurement processes across the Group.Drive effective utilization of ERP and procurement technology.Develop procurement dashboards and spend analytics for management decision-making.Improve procurement visibility through centralized spend reporting and supplier data.Identify opportunities for automation and process improvement.6. Stakeholder ManagementPartner with Group Finance, HR, IT, Operations, Legal, Corporate Services, and business-unit leadership.Act as a strategic procurement advisor to senior management.Understand business requirements and develop commercially effective procurement solutions.Balance cost, quality, delivery, risk, and business continuity requirements.7. Team LeadershipBuild, develop, and lead a high-performing Group procurement team.Define roles, responsibilities, KPIs, and performance expectations.Establish procurement capability-building and professional development programs.Promote a culture of accountability, commercial awareness, ethics, and continuous improvement.Candidate ProfileWe are looking for a commercially strong procurement leader who has experience managing procurement across multiple business units, companies, or diverse categories.Essential experience:12+ years of progressive procurement experience, preferably with significant Group or multi-business exposure.Experience in a Head of Procurement, Group Procurement Manager, Procurement Director, or equivalent senior role.Strong experience in strategic sourcing, supplier negotiations, tender management, contracts, and spend optimization.Demonstrated experience delivering measurable procurement savings.Strong understanding of procurement governance, policies, controls, and risk management.Experience working with ERP/procurement systems and procurement analytics.Proven people-management and stakeholder-management capabilities.Strong commercial, analytical, negotiation, and decision-making skills.Education & Professional QualificationsBachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, or a related discipline.Professional procurement qualification such as CIPS or equivalent is preferred.Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing, category management, contract management, and procurement best practices.Leadership CompetenciesThe ideal candidate will demonstrate:Strategic and commercial thinkingStrong negotiation capabilityLeadership and team-building skillsAnalytical and data-driven decision-makingHigh integrity and professional ethicsStrong stakeholder managementChange-management capabilityAbility to operate at both strategic and operational levelsStrong communication and presentation skillsAbility to influence senior leadership and business-unit stakeholders