Contract Specialist (UAE National)

Position Overview

We are inviting a seasoned Contracts Specialist, preferably a UAE national, to join a prominent organization situated in Abu Dhabi. This role demands over four years of valuable experience within procurement or supply chain management fields.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

• Manage the Request for Proposal (RFP) and contract administration according to established departmental policies and procedures.
• Develop strategic approaches for designated categories through procurement planning, handling RFPs, evaluating bids, recommending suppliers, collaborating with internal governance teams for contract approval, reporting savings, maintaining documentation, and ensuring regulatory compliance.
• Finalize contracts and agreements in coordination with the Legal Department, ensuring alignment with procurement and contract policies, including adjusting terms and conditions when necessary.
• Assess commercial aspects of tender submissions and actively engage in bidder selection to guarantee a transparent and fair process, fully documented.
• Maintain the bid calendar aligned with the procurement plan, lead category-related events, oversee bid processes, conduct commercial evaluations, formulate recommendations, prepare contract documents, and facilitate functional reviews and approvals consistent with delegated authority.
• Negotiate contractual terms, pricing, and payment conditions with suppliers under the Contract Manager's guidance.
• Track and monitor cost savings to achieve set targets that support commercial and organizational objectives.
• Foster and manage relationships with approved suppliers and specialist contractors, performing at least quarterly performance reviews with formal documentation.
• Assist end users in addressing disputes related to supplier performance deficiencies.
• Conduct quarterly market benchmarking to identify new suppliers and stay informed on market trends.
• Mitigate project risks and costs through managing contract amendments, clarifications, and exceptions as required.
• Evaluate requests for deviations from contract specifications or delivery timelines, determining their appropriateness and feasibility.
• Collaborate closely with various business units and subsidiaries to provide procurement support, oversee tendering, negotiate terms, select bidders, and prepare contracts.
• Organize detailed files for each purchase requisition, incorporating both electronic and paper records, ensuring all supporting documents are properly archived.
• Perform additional tasks as assigned by the Contract Manager.

Qualifications and Requirements

• Possess a degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant area such as Business Administration or Supply Chain Management.
• Certified in CIPS or actively pursuing CIPS certification.
• Minimum of four years’ professional experience in procurement and/or supply chain management.
• Well-versed with RFP procedures and skilled in drafting contracts.