Procurement Director

Director - Projects Procurement Transformation

Location: United Arab EmiratesAbout the RoleWe are seeking an experienced Director - Projects Procurement Transformation to lead the transformation of procurement across a complex, capital-projects environment in the UAE.This is a senior transformation position focused on re-engineering the end-to-end procurement lifecycle, combining procurement strategy, capital-projects expertise, digital enablement, governance and commercial improvement.The successful candidate will be expected to move beyond strategy and take ownership of implementation, adoption and measurable benefits realisation.

This includes modernising procurement processes and systems, strengthening commercial and contractual disciplines, and applying GenAI, automation and analytics to improve procurement performance.Key ResponsibilitiesProcurement TransformationLead the transformation of procurement across major capital projects and programmes.Assess and redesign the end-to-end procurement lifecycle, including processes, systems, controls, governance and operating models.Develop and execute procurement-transformation strategies aligned with wider business and project objectives.Identify opportunities to improve procurement predictability, cost efficiency, commercial performance and operational effectiveness.Establish clear transformation roadmaps, KPIs and measures of success.Take accountability for the implementation and benefits realisation of transformation initiatives.Digital Procurement, AI & AutomationLead or support the implementation and optimisation of modern procurement and e-procurement platforms, such as:Oracle Procurement CloudSAP AribaCoupaEquivalent enterprise procurement platformsIdentify opportunities to apply Generative AI, automation and advanced analytics across the procurement lifecycle.Improve procurement visibility and decision-making through data, analytics and performance reporting.Drive adoption of new digital tools, processes and ways of working across procurement teams.Capital Projects & Commercial ExcellenceImprove procurement processes supporting complex capital-project delivery.Strengthen commercial and contractual disciplines across project procurement.Develop frameworks that improve cost control, predictability, supplier performance and procurement outcomes.Work closely with project, commercial and procurement stakeholders to ensure procurement transformation supports programme delivery.Supplier, Category & Partner ManagementOwn and enhance frameworks covering supplier, category and third-party/partner management.Improve supplier selection, evaluation, onboarding and performance management.Work closely with category and strategic sourcing teams to ensure transformation initiatives align with category strategies.Establish effective supplier-performance measures and governance.Governance & Benefits RealisationEstablish and enhance procurement governance, controls, policies and decision-making frameworks.Define measurable transformation outcomes and ensure programmes deliver against agreed objectives.Partner closely with Finance to identify, validate and track financial benefits.Provide senior leadership with clear visibility of programme progress, risks, benefits and procurement-performance improvements.Experience RequiredSignificant experience across procurement transformation, projects/programme procurement, commercial transformation or supply-chain transformation.Strong programme/project management or consulting experience within procurement, supply chain or transformation.Demonstrable experience leading the transformation of procurement within capital-project environments.Proven experience re-engineering end-to-end procurement processes, including systems, controls, governance and operating models.Experience implementing or transforming enterprise procurement/e-procurement platforms such as Oracle Procurement Cloud, SAP Ariba, Coupa or equivalent.Evidence of delivering measurable improvements in areas such as cost efficiency, procurement predictability, commercial performance and contractual discipline.Strong supplier, category and third-party/partner management experience.Experience establishing or strengthening procurement governance.Demonstrable ability to move from strategy through implementation to measurable benefits realisation.Experience partnering with Finance to track and validate financial benefits.Understanding of how GenAI, automation and analytics can be practically applied within procurement.