Senior Procurement Officer

Job description / Role

- Provide advice and guidance to internal customers on procurement matters, educating them on relevant processes (i.e. Requests for Proposals (RFP), Requests for Quotations (RFQ), Open Quotes (OQ), bid evaluation criteria and other competitive procurement tools) to ensure that customer needs are met, AUS obtains best value and procurement processes are perceived by suppliers as fair, open and ethical
- Source either IT hardware, software, support and services or laboratory equipment and chemicals, by selecting the most appropriate sourcing methods based on established AUS policies and procedures
- Plan, organize and lead the bid solicitation process including drafting and issuing RFQs, RFPs, developing bid evaluation criteria and guiding customers on processes involved
- Evaluate proposals, ensuring the integrity of the competitive process, facilitate bidder debriefings, negotiate pricing and nonpricing elements and exercise appropriate judgment to obtain best value for money for AUS while ensuring to protect confidential information
- Draft purchase orders (POs), capture salient technical requirements and critical commercial terms, and incorporating the standard terms and conditions of Procurement and Contracts Department
- Liaise with Contracts and Compliance officer for analysing, negotiating and preparing contractual agreements thus ensuring appropriate terms and conditions are included to protect the interest of AUS
- Conduct meetings with internal stakeholders and constantly updating them with the status of their purchase requisitions and working towards enhancing customer service
- Followup and interact with suppliers to ensure timely delivery of products/services
- Continuous engagement with manufacturers and suppliers to understand product life cycle, end of life and new products/services added to the market

Requirements

- In depth knowledge in IT/Tech hardware and software, support and services, and 4 years of experience in purchasing these items
- Or In depth knowledge of laboratory equipment, machinery and chemical compounds, and 4 years of experience in purchasing these items
- Degree in Computer Science or Computer Engineering or Degree in Chemical or Mechanical Engineering
- CIPS certification
- Ideally has experience in the higher education sector
- Ability to speak Arabic would be an advantage

About the Company

American University of Sharjah (AUS) was founded in 1997 by His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah. The university was envisaged by His Highness as a leading educational institution in the Gulf region. Located in University City, Sharjah, AUS is a not-for-profit, independent, institution of higher education formed on the American model.

It offers 26 majors and 45 minors at the undergraduate level, and 14 master's degrees through the College of Architecture, Art and Design; the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Engineering; and the School of Business Administration. These programs are designed to meet the challenges of a competitive and dynamic business and industrial environment.

As a provider of quality higher education in the Gulf, AUS is licensed and its programs are accredited by the Commission for Academic Accreditation of the Ministry of Education's Higher Education Affairs Division in the United Arab Emirates. AUS is accredited in the United States of America by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education.