Job description
Role Overview
Purchasing Specialist at KONE. The role is based within a specific unit and supports the Unit Purchasing Manager in executing sourcing plans, identifying local sourcing opportunities, managing supplier tenders, acting as contract owner for selected suppliers, and managing supplier relationships. The role also supports individual customer projects with their specific needs and helps identify optimal supplier setups.
Company Overview
KONE is certified as a Top Employer in the UAE, Qatar, KSA, and Oman. The organization is committed to creating a better work environment through excellent people practices, prioritizing employee well-being, and fostering a workplace that values collaboration, diversity, growth, and efficiency. KONE focuses on creating an innovative and collaborative working culture, employee engagement, sustainability, ethical business practices, and mutual respect among co-workers.
Role Purpose
The Purchasing Specialist executes sourcing strategies across direct materials, spares, customer projects, installations, and indirect spend categories. The role bridges business unit needs with supplier capabilities, manages contracts and relationships, and supports the implementation of global and area-level category plans within the unit.
Key Responsibilities
Direct Material & Spares
- Work with the unit's business functions to understand needs for direct materials and spare parts.
- Identify local sourcing opportunities for direct materials and spare parts.
- Negotiate frame contracts and price lists with suppliers for direct materials and spares to be used within the unit.
- Act as contract owner for direct material and spares suppliers.
- Support the implementation of global and area category plans within the unit.
- Act as a sourcing specialist for the needs of other units in specific cases, representing their needs towards suppliers.
Customer Projects
- Define source plans for customer projects and work closely with the project team to understand real customer needs.
- Run RFQs for customer project-specific materials and negotiate contracts with suppliers for customer projects.
- Advise customer-facing roles on preferred suppliers and decide on suppliers for customer projects.
Installations
- Work with the unit's business functions to understand needs for installation services.
- Identify local sourcing opportunities for installation subcontracting and subcontracted installation services.
- Negotiate frame contracts and price lists with suppliers for locally sourced installation subcontracting.
- Act as contract owner for local installation subcontractor suppliers.
- Support the implementation of global and area category plans within the unit.
Indirect Spend
- Collect business requirements from the unit to support sourcing projects for indirect spend.
- Support the implementation of area and global level category plans and sourcing projects in a unit through additional local contract negotiations as needed.
- Support the update of local instructions and policies, provide guidance, and support the business in following and using preferred suppliers while ensuring compliance.
Qualifications & Experience
- Bachelor's degree in engineering or a related field.
- Additional qualifications in Supply Chain Management or Procurement are advantageous.
- Minimum 5 years of experience in procurement and supply chain management.
- Familiarity with local procurement laws and supplier networks is a plus.
- Experience working in an international or multinational environment is an advantage.
Skills & Competencies
- Proficiency in spoken and written English.
- Strong supply market knowledge in the relevant area of spend.
- Proficiency in supplier tendering, negotiation, and contract management.
- Familiarity with supplier performance, quality management, and relationship management.
- Knowledge of relevant technologies and systems in procurement.
- Effective stakeholder management abilities.
- Expertise in change management processes.
- Strategic and analytical mindset for cost optimization.
Additional Information
- KONE offers a range of experiences and opportunities to help employees achieve career and personal goals and enable a healthy and balanced life.