Senior Category Specialist (Projects & TA)

Senior Category Specialist (Projects & TA)

Working Location

Doha Office

Department

Strategic Procurement - Projects & TA Category

Reports to

Head, Strategic Procurement

Job Purpose / Objective

Execute the category procurement strategy by conducting strategic sourcing initiatives, managing supplier relationships, implementing best practices for procurement activities, negotiating framework agreements, and handling Contract Administration (post-award) process. Lead collaboration with end users and suppliers to identify cost saving initiatives for category procurement. Manage high-value purchase orders outside of framework agreements. Conduct risk management assessments for the complete L2 category and lead efforts in resolving relevant and complex claims, disputes, and discrepancies in contract Terms & Conditions.

Key Responsibilities

• General Activities
  
  • Develop technical and commercial expertise in procurement category, define clear category spend and preferred supplier policies, and implement category strategy ensuring compliance with all applicable policies and procedures.
  • Handle claims, disputes, and coordinate discrepancies in contracts' terms and conditions with suppliers. Lead the discussion of all relevant/complex claims and disputes of the L2 category.
  • Conduct category risk management, identify potential risks, and develop mitigation plans.
  • Build and update service masters and assist end users regarding master usage.
  • Support monitoring and reporting of KPIs and generate improvement actions.
  • Be responsible for Enterprise Risk and Compliance process for the L2 category; support internal and external audits and other responsibilities assigned by the Category Head.
  • Train and support category specialists in their tasks.
• Category Strategy Execution
  
  • Analyze and evaluate internal (technical/service requirements) and external (supply market dynamics) factors to provide inputs for category management.
  • Assist in the development of demand forecasts for products and services with end-users, Finance, and Strategic Procurement teams.
  • Provide market insights to support long-term forecasts and category plans.
  • Recommend strategic levers for sub-categories to maximize procurement value, including non-commercial improvements.
  • Execute category strategies for managed L3 categories, including framework agreements, contract re-negotiation, and development initiatives.
  • Conduct risk management and develop mitigation plans with support from Category Head.
  • Support achievement of KPIs and critical success factors in long-term supply agreements and category objectives.
• Strategic Sourcing
  
  • Lead sourcing projects including RFP preparation/review, negotiating pricing and terms, contract management, and supplier management.
  • Engage cross-functional stakeholders for sourcing initiatives.
  • Develop supplier portfolios for strategic sourcing based on market research and profiling.
  • Monitor supply markets and agreements to ensure benefit realization from sourcing initiatives.
  • Manage high-value tenders and ensure compliance with all procedures, policies, and legal requirements.
  • Conduct supplier selection with involved stakeholders as per policies and procedures.
  • Develop contracts/templates for L4 categories in collaboration with legal professionals.
  • Develop negotiation strategies and conduct contract negotiations.
  • Integrate new suppliers and manage their operational transition.
  • Provide sourcing progress visibility to end users.
• Supplier Management and Contract Administration
  
  • Define supplier qualification criteria and base requirements.
  • Draft supplier relationship management plans.
  • Develop strategic supplier relationships and manage performance evaluations for continuous improvement.
  • Maintain contractor risk registers and performance data for decision-making.
  • Facilitate communication between the organization and suppliers, acting as escalation point for supplier performance issues.
  • Lead and assist in the resolution of contract discrepancies, claims, and disputes for L3 and L2 categories.
  • Conduct post-award contract administration including managing variations, claims, and disputes.
• Development
  
  • Be proactive in seeking and acting on feedback for professional development.
  • Maximize opportunities for offered training programs.
  • Participate in knowledge sharing, transfer, and documentation of best practices.
• Policies, Systems, Processes, and Procedures
  
  • Contribute to continuous improvement and implementation of departmental systems and processes for increased productivity and efficiency.
  • Support preparation of documents for the Tender Committee.
  • Approve contract awards/purchases within defined authority limits for Category Specialists.
  • Maintain high compliance with organizational policies, procedures, and standards.
  • Organize category team meetings with relevant stakeholders as necessary.
• Quality, Health, Security, Safety, and Environment (QHSSE)
  
  • Ensure compliance with all regulatory and QHSSE standards across the section.
• Reporting
  
  • Provide transparency to management on tender progress and strategic sourcing events.
  • Prepare timely and accurate reports as per departmental requirements.
• Qatarization
  
  • Contribute to the development of Qatari employees.

Requirements

• Education
  
  • Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Supply Chain, or related field (required).
  • Bachelor's in Engineering and/or postgraduate qualification in Contract Management or Project Management (preferred).
• Experience
  
  • 5-7 years of broad experience including at least 3 years in procurement within Oil & Gas, Petrochemicals, or major industrial structures, with 2-3 years in strategic procurement (required).
  • 7-10 years' multidisciplinary experience with 6 years at a specialist/professional level in strategic procurement within O&G/Petrochemicals (preferred).
• Other Qualifications
  
  • International certifications such as CIPS, CSCP, SCMA, ISM, or equivalent (preferred).
  • Proficiency in SAP (including SAP Ariba), MS Office applications.
  • Strong negotiation, communication, and conflict management skills.
• Languages
  
  • English - proficient (required).
  • Arabic - working knowledge (preferred).

Contract Type

Full-time

Work Schedule

Standard office hours (details provided upon hiring)

Working Relationships

• Internal: Head of Strategic Procurement, Category Specialists, Departments as required
• External: Suppliers/Vendors, Contractors, Third-party service providers, Consultants, Advisors

Disclaimer

The job description is provided for general informational purposes and is not restrictive of overall work requirements that may be prescribed by management. It is intended as a guide to the general nature and level of work performed, not as a comprehensive inventory of duties, responsibilities, and qualifications.