Director of Procurement

Our client is a leading Data Center operator who is seeking a Procurement Director to be based in Dubai.

As the Head of Procurement, you are responsible for leading and optimising the entire procurement lifecycle from developing to executing procurement strategies. The successful candidate will be strong in contract negotiations and have extensive experience in leading procurement team in a complex organization. Data Center experience highly preferred.

Responsibilities

1. Strategic Procurement Leadership

- Develop & execute end-to-end procurement strategies aligned with business goals (cost savings, quality, risk mitigation, supplier performance).

- Drive innovation in sourcing for data center CAPEX/OPEX (power, cooling, IT hardware, network equipment).

- Monitor industry trends and tech advancements in data centers/telecom to inform strategy.

2. Supplier & Contract Management

- Build strategic supplier relationships; negotiate terms, SLAs, and contracts.

- Oversee contract lifecycle (negotiation execution compliance), ensuring adherence to legal/company policies.

- Mitigate supply chain risks to ensure business continuity.

3. Cost & Operational Efficiency

- Identify and implement cost-saving initiatives and process improvements.

- Optimize procurement cycle times (e.g., PO processing, contract negotiation).

4. Team Leadership & Development

- Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing procurement team.

- Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

5. Cross-Functional Collaboration

- Partner with Finance, Operations, Engineering, and Legal to align procurement with stakeholder needs.

6. Governance & Compliance

- Establish/enforce procurement policies, systems, and best practices.

- Ensure transparency and compliance across all procurement activities.

Requirements

• 10+ years in procurement, including 5+ years in senior leadership position with an industry background from Data center, telecommunications, or tech infrastructure fields
• Bachelor's or above in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field (MBA or CPSM/CIPS preferred)
• Proven success in managing large budgets and complex negotiations.
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills.