Assistant Director - Research Strategic Sourcing

Job description / Role

The Assistant Director will partner closely with all the academic divisions and research units and act as their point of contact for all procurement related activities.

Client Details:
• A renowned research and educational institute.

Description:
• Lead departmental procurement strategy in collaboration with executive leaders, researchers and faculty members to identify optimal sourcing methods and saving opportunities where applicable. Develop and execute strategy to supervise and grow relationships with existing and new suppliers (including cost analysis).
• Develop positive and productive relationships with suppliers while keeping healthy competition in our supply base. Independently drive spend and performance analyses to identify savings opportunities and impact of procurement decisions based on data-based insights (20%).
• Spearhead the full source to supply procurement cycle (Initiation - Strategic Sourcing (RFx) - Contract Authoring / Execution - Catalog Content - Requisition - Purchasing / Purchase Order). Establish and approve sources of supplies and services. Evaluate potential suppliers by investigating facilities, capacity, and financial stability to meet quality requirements, specifications and delivery dates. Secure bids, analyze proposals, and negotiate purchase terms and conditions. Develop and administer contracts; ensure timely delivery. Perform ongoing supplier relationship supervision in order to ensure suppliers' compliance with contractual obligations. Assess how well strategically sourced agreements are meeting the requirements of the end users.
• Develop and maintain effective stakeholder relationships with University departments and advise on supplier selection, products and services. Resolve supplier disputes and address/resolve performance issues; review and approve claims against suppliers for unsatisfactory materials or equipment. Serve as a single-point-of-contact for department heads (academic and administrative areas) 30%
• Responsible for actively monitoring, managing and administration of major service contracts with business contract owner (Deans, Faculty and Executive leaders) with support from Vendor Mgmt. Office. Responsible for mediation and resolution of contract claims or disputes. Lead evaluations through the development of RFQ, RFI and RFPs and participate in negotiations. Develop negotiation strategies based on supplier proposals and spend/RFP analysis and act as a contract negotiator within assigned categories / departments (15%).
• Responsible for evaluating market trends and establishing, implementing and recommending procurement policies and procedures accordingly. In conjunction with the leaders for labs, research support, and PIs develop a detailed understanding of the requirements of the academic and research units and Identify and develop optimal and new purchasing strategies as warranted. Evaluate and implement appropriate alternative purchasing tools and methods. Develop strategic plans to streamline operations for effective outcome. Ensure all data within the procurement system is accurate and reported (10%).
• Oversee and execute the development of requests for information and proposal. Ensure that product and service contracts fits the unique needs of the PI and provide the University with tangible value and benefits. Negotiate high level University-wide contracts. Collaborate with Legal Counsel to minimize liability and ensure compliance with University legal and risk mitigation requirements. Support and collaborate with colleagues, constantly striving for continuous improvement. Market the department's services to the University community (15%).
• Supervise and develop the support team responsible for research and laboratory purchases including one supervisor and one or two buyers (10%).

Job Offer:
• A unique, specialized role with a prominent research and educational institute.

Requirements

Required Education, Certifications, Licensing or Training:
• Bachelor's degree or extensive experience in a relevant field

Preferred Education, Certifications, Licensing or Training:
• Master's degree in a relevant field/Professional Procurement qualification (i.e. CIPS)
• Project Management Qualification

Required Work and Related Experience:
• 10 years of experience in category based procurement activities of which the last three should be as category specialist/manager within fast paced and or complex research based environments.

Preferred Work and Related Experience:
• Experience in higher education, non-profit organizations or governmental body located in the U.A.E.
Or
• Experience within class leading service sector procurement organization

Required Competencies: (Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities)
• Evidenced understanding of advanced & modern procurement principles, purpose and techniques ideally gained in class leading procurement environments.
• Business wide vision & risk assessment
• Excellent analytical skills, and a high degree of Problem solving capability
• Excellent communication skills - this position would be the prime focal point for communication with stakeholders up to Executive Leadership / Dean Level.

Preferred Competencies: (Skills, knowledge, and abilities.)
• PeopleSoft

About the Company

Michael Page is one of the world's leading professional recruitment consultancies, specializing in the placement of candidates in permanent, contract, temporary and interim positions with clients around the world.

The Group has operations in the UK, Continental Europe, Asia-Pacific and the Americas. In the Middle East we focus on the areas of:

Finance & Accounting Banking & Financial Services Procurement Property & Construction Engineering & Supply Chain Oil & Gas Technical and Engineering Human Resources Sales Marketing Technology Secretarial Executive Search Legal

The Group operates through 161 offices in 33 countries and employs over 5,000 employees worldwide.