Category Analyst Unit Head

Job Purpose

Category Intelligence & Strategy Development

• Conduct spend analysis across Supply Management categories, identifying consolidation opportunities, cost reduction potential, and strategic repositioning requirements
• Execute market intelligence activities including supplier landscape assessment, pricing benchmarking, market trend monitoring, and supply risk evaluation, leveraging online research tools, data platforms, and analytical frameworks
• Develop and maintain category profiles covering market dynamics, supplier performance data, spend patterns, and strategic opportunities, ensuring outputs are current and decision-ready
• Review Supply Management projects and sourcing requests to identify category patterns, consolidation potential, and opportunities for enhanced procurement value
• Design and recommend category management strategies for assigned spend areas, aligned with Supply Management and organizational objectives
• Develop sourcing strategy recommendations that reflect current market conditions, supply risk, and commercial optimization opportunities
• Provide category intelligence and strategic input to support negotiation planning, ensuring contract outcomes deliver optimal value aligned with category objectives
• Review end-to-end procurement processes within assigned categories, identifying inconsistencies and recommending improvements to enhance quality, standardization, and effectiveness

Unit Leadership & Workstream Management

• Structure and manage category management workstreams independently, ensuring effective prioritization, planning, and delivery of intelligence, strategy, and analytical activities across the full category lifecycle
• Coordinate with Supply Management units to maintain alignment on category priorities, sourcing pipelines, and demand requirements, ensuring timely and structured input across functions
• Execute activities and directives assigned by the SMD Director, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with SMD strategy and internal initiatives

Governance, Compliance & Controls

• Apply the procurement governance and risk management framework across all category management activities, ensuring compliance with policies, Delegation of Authority (DoA), and applicable standards
• Maintain structured documentation of category strategies, analytical outputs, and recommendation records to support traceability and audit readiness
• Identify and escalate governance gaps or compliance risks identified through category reviews and market intelligence activities

Performance, Reporting & Stakeholder Management

• Track and report on category performance metrics, consolidation outcomes, and savings realization, ensuring financial results are evidenced, monitored, and aligned with defined objectives
• Prepare category reports, strategic briefs, and analytical outputs for Supply Management leadership and relevant stakeholders, ensuring clarity and actionability of recommendations
• Build and maintain relationships with key internal stakeholders to support demand and forecast planning, embed category management principles, and identify long-term strategic opportunities
• Contribute to section budget preparation and monitor financial performance against approved plans for assigned category management activities

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field; a master's degree is preferred
• Minimum 5 to 7 years of experience in supply management, strategic sourcing, or category management
• Professional certification in procurement or supply chain is desirable (e.g., CIPS or equivalent)

Skills

• Full professional proficiency in English (written and spoken)
• Arabic is an advantage
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office tools (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook)
• Strong knowledge of category management principles, strategic sourcing methodologies, and procurement governance frameworks
• Ability to conduct spend analysis, market intelligence, and supplier performance assessments using data tools and online research platforms
• Familiarity with procurement and supply management systems and relevant industry software
• Ability to develop, implement, and manage procurement policies, procedures, and category strategies
• Strong understanding of business and commercial drivers, including market dynamics and cost structures
• Experience in business planning and the ability to translate strategic objectives into actionable category plans
• Strong analytical thinking and ability to generate evidence-based recommendations
• High degree of initiative and ability to work independently with minimal direction
• Effective stakeholder management and communication skills, with ability to influence and align cross-functional teams
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, including executive-level reporting
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, structure complex workstreams, and deliver to deadlines
• Results-oriented with a proactive approach to problem-solving and continuous improvement