Job Title: Assistant Manager IT Procurement
Location: Dubai, UAE
Reports To: Manager IT Procurement
Job Purpose:
The Assistant Manager IT & Security Procurement will play a critical role in supporting the IT & Security procurement function, ensuring the efficient sourcing, negotiation, and management of IT-related goods and services. Given that Group Services operates as an SLA- and KPI-driven function, the role demands exceptional procurement execution under high-pressure conditions, requiring strong vendor management, cost optimization, and compliance oversight to meet stringent performance metrics.
Key Responsibilities:
- Procurement Strategy & Sourcing
- Initiate and complete the RFQ/RFPs procurement lifecycle for all IT & Security required goods & service across the business portfolio.
- Strong communication skills and internal/external stakeholder relationship management is required.
- Assist in developing and implementing IT & Security procurement strategies that align with the fast-paced environment and high-performance metrics.
- Identify, evaluate, and work with SRM team to onboard suppliers that can deliver cost-effective, high-quality IT & Security solutions.
- Conduct thorough market research to stay updated on IT & Security trends, pricing, and supplier capabilities, ensuring the business remains competitive.
Vendor & Contract Management
- Manage vendor relationships with a strong focus on performance monitoring, ensuring suppliers consistently meet contractual SLAs and KPIs.
- Support contract drafting, reviewing, and negotiations to secure favourable terms for IT & Security procurement, minimizing risk while maximizing value.
- Continuously assess vendor performance and escalate any non-compliance issues to ensure service continuity without disruptions.
Procurement Execution & Cost Optimization
- Handle the end-to-end procurement process for IT & Security hardware, software, cloud services, and professional IT services, ensuring rapid turnaround to meet business needs.
- Work closely with IT & Security teams, Data Security, Data Protection, and Legal to balance cost-efficiency with quality, performance, and compliance requirements.
- Drive cost optimization initiatives while ensuring zero compromise on service quality and business continuity.
Compliance & Risk Management
- Ensure IT & Security procurement activities strictly adhere to the organization's procurement policies, regulatory requirements, and internal governance structures.
- Identify and mitigate risks related to IT procurement, including contract risks, vendor reliability, and compliance breaches.
- Maintain meticulous procurement documentation to facilitate audits, performance tracking, and continuous improvement.
Stakeholder Collaboration & High-Pressure Management
- Act as a key liaison between IT & Security, procurement, and business units to rapidly address procurement needs in a dynamic, SLA-driven environment.
- Work proactively with stakeholders to anticipate demand and avoid procurement bottlenecks that could impact KPIs.
- Provide insights and recommendations on IT procurement trends, process enhancements, and supplier innovations to improve operational efficiency.
Qualifications & Experience:
- Bachelor's degree in Business, Procurement, IT, Supply Chain, or a related field.
- 5+ years of experience in IT procurement, and/or IT Department, preferably in a corporate or high-performance, SLA/KPI-driven environment.
- Strong knowledge of IT procurement categories, including software licensing, cloud services, hardware, and IT professional services.assistant
- Proven experience in contract negotiations and supplier performance management.
- Familiarity with procurement systems (e.g. Oracle Fusion, or similar).
- Familiarity with Office Suite programs (e.g., Excel & PowerPoint)
Skills & Competencies:
- Ability to perform under pressure in a KPI-driven environment with aggressive targets.
- Strong negotiation, analytical, and decision-making skills.
- Exceptional stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence senior decision-makers.
- Deep understanding of IT category management and total cost of ownership (TCO) principles.
- Knowledge of UAE procurement regulations and compliance standards is a plus.
