AVP, Procurement & Contracts - UAE National (Emiratisation)

General Overview:

We are hiring for our client, a leading organization within the UAE insurance sector, seeking an experienced AVP, Procurement & Contracts to join their growing team in Abu Dhabi. This is a strategic leadership opportunity for a procurement professional with strong expertise in sourcing, contract management, vendor governance, and commercial negotiations within a regulated corporate environment.

The successful candidate will play a critical role in driving procurement strategy, strengthening supplier partnerships, enhancing operational efficiencies, and ensuring procurement governance aligns with business objectives and compliance standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead and oversee end-to-end procurement and contracting activities across multiple business functions
  
• Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with organizational objectives and cost optimization initiatives
  
• Manage vendor sourcing, tendering, evaluation, negotiation, and onboarding processes
  
• Review, draft, negotiate, and administer commercial contracts, SLAs, and supplier agreements
  
• Ensure procurement activities comply with internal governance frameworks, policies, and regulatory requirements
  
• Build and maintain strong relationships with vendors, suppliers, and key internal stakeholders
  
• Monitor supplier performance, contract compliance, and service delivery standards
  
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, cost savings, and operational efficiencies
  
• Support budgeting, procurement planning, and management reporting activities
  
• Collaborate closely with legal, finance, compliance, and operational teams on procurement-related matters
  
• Provide leadership, guidance, and mentorship to junior procurement team members where applicable
  

Key Requirements:

• Emirati with Family Book (Emiratisation role) – mandatory
  
• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Law, or a related field
  
• Minimum 8–12 years of experience in procurement, contracts management, or strategic sourcing
  
• Prior experience within insurance, healthcare, financial services, or other regulated industries is highly preferred
  
• Strong understanding of procurement frameworks, vendor management, and contract lifecycle management
  
• Proven experience handling high-value commercial contracts and negotiations
  
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, and negotiation skills
  
• Proficiency in ERP/procurement systems and Microsoft Office applications
  
• Professional certifications such as CIPS or equivalent are advantageous
  
• Ability to operate effectively within a fast-paced and strategic corporate environment