Category Lead - Marketing Services | Group Procurement | Corporate Services

Job Requisition ID: 172807 

Established in the 1930s as a trading business, Al-Futtaim Group today is one of the most diversified and progressive, privately held regional businesses headquartered in Dubai, United A”rab Emirates. Structured into five operating divisions; automotive, financial services, real estate, retail and healthcare; employing more than 35,000 employees across more than 20 countries in the Middle East, Asia and Africa, Al-Futtaim Group partners with over 200 of the world's most admired and innovative brands. Al-Futtaim Group’s entrepreneurship and relentless customer focus enables the organisation to continue to grow and expand; responding to the changing needs of our customers within the societies in which we operate. 

By upholding our values of respect, excellence, collaboration and integrity; Al-Futtaim Group continues to enrich the lives and aspirations of our customers each and every day.

Overview Of The Role:

The Procurement Category Lead for Marketing & Media Services is responsible for leading strategic procurement initiatives across business units globally or regionally, focusing on AED 250M of Third Party spend. The role requires developing and implementing category strategies that align with organizational objectives, delivering cost-effective solutions, and mentoring a small team of Sourcing Managers. It encompasses managing third-party vendors, tracking performance, ensuring cost savings and efficiency improvements year-on-year, and collaborating with stakeholders to meet shared goals.

What You Will Do:

Strategic Procurement Leadership

• Develop and implement category strategies with measurable objectives by analyzing market data, stakeholder input, and organizational needs.
• Conduct total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis, should-cost modelling, and mapping value chains to identify optimization opportunities.
• Ensure adherence to procurement policies, budgets, and regulatory requirements, taking corrective actions as needed.
• Plan, organize, and manage procurement projects with clear objectives, timelines, and resource allocation.
• Achieve 95% implementation of category strategies aligned with organizational goals.
• Deliver a 10% year-on-year cost reduction in category spend.
• Maintain 100% compliance with procurement policies and regulations.
• Implement three measurable process improvements annually.
• Ensure 100% completion of talent development plans for team members.

Demand Management

• Collaborate with stakeholders to balance business needs and procurement strategies.
• Identify cost-effective methods to achieve business objectives, ensuring resource optimization.
• Build a project pipeline to support upcoming business requirements.
• Establish Preferred Suppliers (PSL) to optimize supplier base and improve commercials through consolidation.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Lead the Source-to-Contract (S2C) process, including supplier identification, selection, and negotiation.
• Build and maintain relationships with key suppliers, ensuring alignment with business goals and optimizing supplier performance.
• Complete Source-to-Contract processes within 45 days on average.
• Ensure 90% supplier performance based on delivery, quality, and responsiveness.

Stakeholder Engagement

• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to optimize specifications and align them with organizational value.
• Build sustainable, effective relationships, and demonstrate political astuteness to influence decision-making processes.
• Achieve an 85% satisfaction rate in stakeholder feedback surveys.
• Creation of cross-functional Stakeholder Committees.

Required Skills To Be Successful:

• Expertise in category strategies, total cost analysis, and ecosystem mapping.
• Experience in monitoring end-to-end compliance and executing risk mitigation plans.
• Skilled in supplier lifecycle management, collaboration, and performance evaluation.
• Proficient in budget discussions and understanding procurement KPIs.

What Qualifies You For The Role:

• Bachelor's degree required; Master's degree preferred.
• CIPS (or equivalent) qualification highly desirable.
• 7-10 years of procurement experience, specifically strong in Media & Marketing category.
• Proven experience in project management and procurement tools.
• Excellent written and spoken English; additional languages are a plus.

We’re here to provide excellent service but a little help from you can ensure a five-star candidate experience from start to finish.

Before you click “apply”: Please read the job description carefully to ensure you can confidently demonstrate why this opportunity is right for you and take the time to put together a well-crafted and personalised CV to further boost your visibility. Our global Talent Acquisition team members are all assigned to specific businesses to ensure that we make the best matches between talent and opportunities. We not only consider the requisite compatibility of skills and behaviours, but also how candidates align with our Values of Respect, Integrity, Collaboration, and Excellence.

As part of our candidate experience promise, we also want to make ourselves available to you throughout the application process. We make every effort to review and respond to every application.