AVP, Procurement & Contracts (UAE National - Emiratisation)

About the role

A leading organization in the UAE insurance sector is hiring an AVP, Procurement & Contracts through its client, based 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 role plays a key part in driving procurement strategy, strengthening supplier partnerships and ensuring procurement governance meets 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
• Manage vendor sourcing, tendering, evaluation, negotiation and onboarding
• Review, draft, negotiate and administer commercial contracts, SLAs and supplier agreements
• Ensure compliance with internal governance frameworks, policies and regulatory requirements
• Build relationships with vendors, suppliers and internal stakeholders, and monitor supplier performance and service delivery
• Identify process improvements, cost savings and efficiency gains
• Support budgeting, procurement planning and management reporting
• Collaborate with legal, finance, compliance and operational teams
• Mentor junior procurement team members where applicable

Required profile

• 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 in insurance, healthcare, financial services or other regulated industries highly preferred
• Proven experience with high-value commercial contracts and negotiations

Required skills

• Strong understanding of procurement frameworks, vendor management and contract lifecycle management
• Proficiency in ERP/procurement systems and Microsoft Office
• Professional certifications such as CIPS or equivalent are advantageous