Procurement Buying Centre Buyer - CPS (Professional Services, Training, Employee Benefits / MarCom /

Job Description - Grade Specific

The Corporate Professional Services (CPS) – MEA Buyer is responsible for executing CPS sourcing activities and delivering the associated Savings Plan within the Middle East & Africa region, in line with the Global CPS Sourcing Strategy, the CPS Target Operating Model, and the guidance of the External Resources & Corporate Professional Services Category Manager Middle East & Africa.

The CPS category covers six product areas: Employee Benefits, MarCom (Marketing & Communication), MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Congresses and Events), Insurance, Professional Services, and Training.

For this role, the assigned scope is MEA – Employee Benefits / MarCom / MICE / Insurance / Professional Services / Training. Geographic and category scope may evolve over time based on business needs and the Buyer’s development interests.

The role ensures full compliance with Procurement processes and policies, guaranteeing disciplined and auditable sourcing execution. It contributes to the definition, deployment, and maintenance of the Preferred Supplier List (PSL) and supports effective Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) in line with CPS governance.

The position ensures disciplined execution of the CPS Sourcing Cycle, translating approved category strategies into concrete sourcing and savings actions, and is accountable for the delivery, tracking, and documentation of sourcing-related savings within scope.

Country-level stakeholder ownership remains under the External Resources & Corporate Professional Services Category Manager – MEA.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Category Strategy & Value Creation

• Execute sourcing initiatives aligned with Global CPS category strategies and approved MEA sourcing and savings plans
• Translate global category direction into concrete sourcing actions that maximize value for money, service quality, and risk mitigation
• Identify and support opportunities for standardization, industrialization, and leverage within the assigned categories and MEA scope
• Contribute market intelligence, supplier insights, and savings opportunities to support continuous enhancement of category performance

Supplier & Contract Management

• Execute end-to-end sourcing activities including RfX processes, negotiations, renewals, and supplier selections within assigned CPS categories
• Operate sourcing activities leveraging the Preferred Supplier List (PSL) and contribute to Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) performance
• Support contract execution, commercial performance tracking, and continuous improvement initiatives in line with CPS governance and standards

Education

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Procurement, Supply Chain, Finance, Engineering, or a related field preferred
• Relevant professional experience in sourcing or procurement may be considered in lieu of a formal degree
• A Master’s degree (e.g. MBA) or relevant procurement certification is a plus, but not required

Skills & Capabilities

• Strategic sourcing execution within a global procurement framework
• RfX management, negotiations, and supplier selection
• Savings delivery, tracking, and documentation (P&L, Cost Avoidance, Cost Containment)
• Strong understanding of sourcing governance, compliance, and auditability
• Ability to translate global category strategies into executable actions
• Effective collaboration within matrixed, regional, and global environments
• Contribution to process standardization and sourcing maturity

Languages

Arabic and English – professional working proficiency (mandatory