Category Lead – Manpower Middle East

Purpose

This role is responsible for commercial management and associated tasks, executing on project and category strategies. Managing key stakeholder relationships, negotiating and administering contracts, and driving continuous improvement across the category will be the main objective.

Category Scope / Role Definition

• Offsite Infrastructure relates to the development of rail and port facilities. Pre- and post-award activities are extensive and mainly outsourced to EPCM partners. Both EPCM partners are actively involved and travel regularly. They have a support team handling end-to-end commercial scope, and the Category Lead will coordinate stage gate approvals/interventions (planned and unplanned) to allow EPCMs to deliver and achieve target dates.
• Out-of-EPCM offsite infrastructure relates to contracts with government entities and contractors directly. These contracts are to be analysed, a cheat sheet developed, and actively managed.
• Services priorities mainly relate to Transport and Logistics, including the movement of cargo from point of origin to site. Although most work is outsourced to a Freight Forwarding entity, a portion will be fully managed internally. The Category Lead will manage commercial touchpoints to enable the Transport & Logistics team. Contracts include transportation agreements, customs clearing, storage facilities/laydowns, etc.
• PMC alignment and relations. The PMCs are involved in Freight Forwarding (active role), Port and Rail (EPCM oversight, independent verifications). Setting up and nurturing a two-way flow of information and communication is important. The Category Lead will drive this actively.
• A full reagents/chemical supply tender will form part of the category scope, covering planning, sourcing, storage, transportation, and management of products required in production.
• Indirect spend items, e.g., camp management (catering, laundry, housekeeping, supplies, etc.), will be extended to other items on an ad hoc basis.
• Although effectively on-site, the airport development programme is dealt with under this category scope, including runway extension, control tower, passenger terminal, aircraft hangar, fencing, etc.
• Various service contracts have been awarded in the past without attention to renewals or replacements. These are to be assessed and planned for incorporation into the commercial category plan.

Key Duties & Responsibilities

The Category Lead will be expected to:

• Set commercial baseline plans for multiple simultaneous projects.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to understand requirements and ensure category strategies support project timelines and budgets.
• Prepare, review, and issue internal control documents.
• Evaluate options, present scenarios, and recommend contractor selection for executive approval.
• Lead contract negotiations and manage commercial terms with suppliers.
• Ensure contracts align with project goals, legal compliance, and internal policies.
• Manage post-award contract changes, including variations and amendments.
• Measure post-award performance and intervene as required.
• Track and report on category performance.
• Drive open actions to closure.
• Lead regular progress meetings with EPCMs and provide support resolving scheduling, performance, and commercial matters.
• Maintain high-quality contract documentation and secure storage.
• Represent the organization in meetings with project stakeholders, including government organisations.
• Liaise with internal teams (Legal, Finance, Risk, Project Controls) for integrated contract support.
• Set up, prepare for, and record stakeholder engagement sessions.
• Support executive reporting and board presentations related to major contracts.
• Mentor and lead contract administration staff, promoting knowledge sharing and performance excellence.

Job Details

Preferred Candidate

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