Head of Contracts & Procurement Shared Services

JOB PURPOSE • Provides leadership to the implementation of the Group s Contracts & Procurement Shared Services, structured across three strategic pillars: Contracts & Procurement, Supplier Management, and In-Country Value (ICV). The role ensures Group-wide compliance with policies, regulations, and OIA directives while embedding robust governance, performance management, and supplier development. Accountable for delivering sustainable value through effective sourcing, contract management, supplier performance, and localisation initiatives, thereby strengthening operational efficiency, advancing national objectives, and supporting the Group s long-term strategic goals. KEY ACCOUNTABILITIES • Divisional Strategy Development and Implementation • Develop, lead, and direct the implementation of the Contracts & Procurement Shared Services strategy, structured across the three pillars: Contracts & Procurement, Supplier Management, and In-Country Value (ICV). • Ensure alignment of priorities with the unit strategy, ASYAD s vision, mission, and corporate objectives, embedding governance, compliance, and performance excellence. • Provide subject matter expertise and strategic counsel to ASYAD leadership on all matters related to procurement, supplier management, and ICV, enabling effective decision-making and risk management. • Translate Group objectives and OIA directives into actionable divisional initiatives, ensuring measurable outcomes in value realisation, cost optimisation, supplier performance, and ICV contribution. • Monitor and evaluate the execution of divisional strategies, proactively addressing risks, adapting to emerging market dynamics, and ensuring continuous improvement. Leadership • Manage the achievement of divisional objectives through effective leadership, setting clear goals, driving performance, and motivating the team to deliver excellence across the three pillars: Contracts & Procurement, Supplier Management, and In-Country Value (ICV). • Lead talent development initiatives, collaborating with discipline experts and external stakeholders to build future-ready capabilities in procurement, supplier management, and ICV. • Provide guidance to the team in driving the business s key strategic initiatives, including supplier development, ICV contribution, and procurement governance. • Coordinate and manage the workload of the team, ensuring timely delivery of divisional objectives and alignment with corporate planning cycles. • Foster a culture of accountability, innovation, and collaboration, encouraging the team to anticipate risks, close gaps proactively, and contribute to continuous improvement. • Represent the division in senior leadership forums, influencing decision-making and ensuring the division s priorities are embedded into wider Group strategies. Responsibilities • Lead, oversee, and manage the C&P Shared Services function across the Group, structured around the three strategic pillars: Contracts & Procurement, Supplier Management, and In-Country Value (ICV). • Provide daily management, leadership, and strategic guidance to a cross-functional team of C&P stakeholders, ensuring alignment with corporate and OIA directives. • Drive the monitoring, reporting, and achievement of divisional KPIs, following up with stakeholders and ensuring accountability. • Develop and enhance governance frameworks including the Manual of Authority, standard contract templates, and tender committee Terms of Reference, strengthening compliance, accountability, and audit readiness. • Manage the operations of the C&P team to ensure timely processing of purchase requisitions (PRs) and purchase orders (POs), while driving process automation and cycle-time reduction. • Perform independent evaluation and review of contract terms, conditions, and risks, embedding compliance with OIA directives and mitigating exposure to the Group. • Establish comprehensive contracts covering high-value and frequently purchased goods/services to maximise value for money. • Initiate and direct digitalisation projects across the three pillars. • Conduct market research and benchmarking to identify best practices, ensure competitiveness, and develop strategic sourcing frameworks. • Lead the creation and continuous update of the Group C&P Policy and SOPs, ensuring end-to-end clarity of processes and consistent adoption across all Business Units. • Establish and oversee the Vendor Performance Management framework, supplier audits, and capability assessments, ensuring supplier resilience, compliance, and performance improvement. • Champion ICV initiatives, embedding Omanisation, SME participation, and local manufacturing support into procurement processes, and monitor ICV reporting across all Business Units. • Work with ASYAD s C&P management to plan and implement initiatives that drive customer satisfaction, cost efficiency, and operational excellence, establishing a culture of continuous improvement. • Provide leadership to tendering committees, streamlining templates, educating secretaries, and standardising reporting across the Group. • Ensure accurate management reports are delivered, including benefits realised, vendor compliance, category spend, value analysis, ICV contributions, and shareholder requirements. • Review tendering notices received from all Business Units. • Minimum bachelor s degree in Quantity Surveying, Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or an equivalent field. • Professional qualification or certification from a relevant professional body (e.g., CIPS) is preferred. Experience • Minimum 10 years experience in procurement and contracts within a large logistics organisation, including tendering and contracting, with at least 5 years in a management role. • Strong knowledge of the transport and logistics industry and its supply markets. • Strong business understanding of ports and free zones is an advantage. Knowledge and Skills • Able to demonstrate experience in the application of ISO quality assurance systems in a contracting environment. • Good knowledge of local contract standards and international standards such as FIDIC. • Sound understanding of the contracting function and related best practices. • Sound understanding of local contracting practices. • Ability to evaluate complex proposals received from suppliers. • Strong ethics. • Effective communication skills. • Analytical and problem-solving orientation. • Excellent interpersonal skills. • Strong attention to detail.