Senior Specialist - Category Manager

Role Overview

Senior Specialist - Category Manager at Milaha. The role is based in an offshore marine environment and focuses on strategic procurement and category management across assigned categories.

Role Purpose

Lead the effort to define and implement a Milaha-wide strategy to guarantee a structured approach to the management of assigned category(ies). That approach takes into consideration demand analysis, market and vendor analysis, risk assessment and potential value levers in order to drive scale, help deliver cost reductions, increase efficiency, and maximize value.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Planning

• Manage and optimize assigned category(ies) according to Milaha-wide Procurement strategy.
• Develop and implement multi-year category strategies which drive additional value for the organization.
• Align the program with strategic business objectives, communicate the strategy to stakeholders, collect feedback, and derive initiatives in line with strategic requirements.
• Present the category or individual sourcing strategies in front of the Tender Committee or leadership if requested.

Market Intelligence & Analytics

• Monitor the global supplier market for assigned category(ies).
• Plan for material and service availability by analyzing trends, delivery systems, and markets.
• Conduct market assessments, cost models, benchmarking, and total cost of ownership analyses.
• Evaluate demand patterns and cycles, optimize purchasing power, gather and manage datasets, and provide global market intelligence.
• Utilize analytics to monitor procurement volumes, usage patterns, inventory levels, costs, and identify pooling opportunities, cost-saving possibilities, and areas for improvement.

Sourcing & Procurement Execution

• Manage strategic procurement processes within the category, including supplier portfolio management, market analytics, RfX and sourcing of typically larger value orders, supplier selection, purchase order creation and placement, PO follow-up and issue management.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to identify and consolidate procurement requirements.
• Provide advisory services on suitable alternatives.
• Coordinate with departments to identify professional services needs.
• Record and consolidate requirements.
• Facilitate the translation of internal customer requirements into purchase orders for timely procurement of materials, products, and services.
• Participate in the evaluation of proposals, accurately transferring information and documents to the commercial evaluation sheet/Fusion.
• Review and interpret tender documents and contracts to ensure compliance with corporate policies and procedures.

Supplier & Vendor Management

• Manage key supplier relationships and execute supplier performance reviews.
• Manage escalations within assigned categories to ensure all matters are resolved or escalated to the next level.
• Define optimization initiatives such as standardization, bundling, and supplier concentration.
• Initiate, support and drive make-or-buy decisions.

Contract Administration, Development & Negotiation

• Lead negotiations and contract management activities with suppliers to secure cost-effective sources of products and services.
• Negotiate favorable terms and conditions.
• Benchmark costs and quality.
• Monitor contract expirations and initiate renewals.
• Develop and execute negotiation strategies.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, legal department, and tender committee.
• Ensure effective contract management across procurement categories.
• Manage pre- and post-commercial administration of contracts.

Risk Management

• Identify, evaluate and manage category risks such as delivery dates, capacities, and exchange rates/prices for materials.
• Develop risk management initiatives.

Other Duties

• Perform other job-related duties as assigned.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration or equivalent required.
• Accredited Procurement/Supply Chain certification is preferable.

Professional Experience

• 8 or more years of experience in Procurement & Supply Chain Management as a category manager or in a similar role.
• Minimum of 5 years' experience within a multinational company.
• 8–12+ years of experience in procurement, category management, strategic sourcing, supply chain, contracts, or commercial management.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience within offshore marine, vessel maintenance, subsea engineering, diving operations, or offshore construction/EPCIC projects.
• Proven track record of delivering commercial value through complex and high-value tenders, supplier negotiations, cost modelling, benchmarking, long-term contracting strategies, and cross-functional stakeholder engagement.
• Strong exposure to offshore vessel operations, including DSVs, CSVs, AHTS, PSVs/MPSVs and survey vessels.
• Strong exposure to vessel maintenance, dry docking, PMS, marine systems, subsea intervention services, IRM, cable laying, mooring and diving operations.
• Experience in pre- and post-commercial administration of contracts and managing supplier performance.

Skills & Competencies

Technical & Industry Knowledge

• Strong knowledge of IMCA standards, marine maintenance practices, offshore project execution, vessel chartering and commercial contract structures is highly desirable.
• Sound understanding of mobilisation/demobilisation costs, day and standby rates, personnel costs, and offshore project risk allocation.
• Good knowledge of local and international Procurement laws and procedures.
• Good knowledge of supplier management techniques, procedures and policies.
• Good knowledge of sources of supply, market trends and pricing practices.

Systems & Tools

• Computer literate in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, MS Project, and MS Visio.
• Oracle Fusion preferred.

Languages

• Business fluent English is required.
• Business fluent Arabic is preferred.

Professional Competencies

• Vision & Strategy: Communicate a compelling vision. Create breakthrough strategies. Generate enthusiasm and commitment.
• Achievement Orientation: Undertake and deliver results-oriented work. Take charge, show self-motivation and ambition for personal and professional achievements. Demonstrate competitive drive to get things done.
• Relationship Building: Build relationships and networks. Work through and with others. Communicate and negotiate effectively and persuasively.
• Analytical Thinking: Analyse problems effectively and solve complex issues. Consider the long-term impact and anticipate future consequences and trends. Create new insights and generate innovative solutions.
• Compliance: Be careful and thorough. Gather complete information. Work well under a formal framework and precise rules. Strive for quality.
• Risk Management: Assess risks and make timely decisions based on relevant information. Take high-risk decisions when necessary. Be not afraid of facing difficulties and adversity. Create competitive strategies and plans.
• Develop Others: Promote learning and development. Act as a coach. Build succession.
• Supplier Development and negotiations skills.