Procurement Team Lead

Role overview

Wood is hiring a Procurement Team Lead for its UAE business unit in Dubai. The position is based onsite and requires travel. The role centers on leading and supporting a deployed supply chain project team.

Project context

The successful candidate will support an onshore project for an international client, delivering brownfield engineering and design services aimed at improving production and asset integrity across multiple locations. The wider team is split between Basra and Dubai and works on flare system revamps and re-ignition, rehabilitation of aging assets, BTEX emission control, flare gas recovery, and replacement or upgrading of obsolete equipment, piping, and systems.

What the role involves

This position is responsible for supervising supply chain activities across the project, including procurement, subcontracts, materials management, warehousing, expediting, negotiation, and reporting. It also involves coordinating team members, managing priorities, maintaining project procurement status reporting, and keeping stakeholders informed about progress, risks, and delays.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and guide the deployed supply chain team across all procurement and supply chain workstreams.
• Make sure the team understands the client head contract, Wood obligations, and the related supply chain strategy, procedures, and terms.
• Work with Wood legal and commercial specialists to address contract terms and negotiate suitable commercial positions when needed.
• Track procurement progress regularly, ensure systems and reports are updated accurately, and escalate critical risks or issues to project management.
• Own delivery of supply chain activities for the assigned area and support team members in meeting their individual responsibilities.
• Advise internal stakeholders and suppliers on contractual obligations and responsibilities.
• Ensure all supply chain work follows the project execution plan, schedule, approved budget, and internal procedures.
• Help develop, review, and communicate processes and procedures to the relevant teams.
• Create and maintain the project procurement status report in line with required on-site dates and lead times, and inform the project manager of any slippage.
• Run regular status meetings with clients, procurement, engineering, and project management teams to keep pre-order deliverables on track.
• Set priorities, allocate workloads, and review the most complex supply chain matters.
• Use the Wood Approved Supplier Register and approved project/client supplier lists for supplier evaluation, audit, and selection where required.
• Conduct supplier performance reviews and manage corrective actions as needed.
• Ensure compliance with statutory, legal, and audit requirements at all times.
• Clarify supply chain processes for the team and provide ongoing direction and support.
• Promote safe working and demonstrate strong safety leadership.
• Model Wood’s vision, values, behaviours, and financial management framework.
• Drive performance management, development planning, and succession planning for the team.
• Support delivery of in-year savings targets and rollout of global, regional, and country initiatives.

Working relationships

Internal contacts include the Business Services Manager, Engineering, Construction, deployed team members, Project/Contract Manager, and other functional leads/managers. Externally, the role works closely with key suppliers and client supply chain representatives.

Decision-making scope

• Sets team goals under broad direction and is accountable for delivering them.
• Manages and supervises the project supply chain team.
• Ensures compliance with SCM processes and procedures, including code of conduct, policies, and segregation of duties, while guiding other disciplines through SCM processes.
• Operates with financial authority in line with FAL.

Qualifications and experience

The role calls for a Bachelor’s degree or equivalent at ISCED Level 6, along with CIPS qualification or an industry-equivalent credential. Job-specific skills training is also expected.

Candidates should bring at least 10 years of supply chain experience, with clear progression into a similar leadership role. Strong knowledge of subcontracting and procurement principles is required, including subcontract agreements, framework agreements, industry subcontract forms, logistics, materials management, ERP systems, client contract requirements, and supply chain methods.

Experience should include complex commercial evaluations, negotiations, terms-and-conditions qualification, and supplier relationship management.

Personal strengths

The ideal candidate will communicate clearly in writing, speaking, and presentations, maintain strong professional networks, build positive relationships with suppliers, clients, and other disciplines, and bring strong planning, organisation, and proactive leadership capabilities.

The role also requires the ability to work effectively within a project management team and identify opportunities to improve efficiency, processes, and tools while helping to drive change.

Benefits and employer information

• Opportunity to work on meaningful, high-profile projects in Iraq.
• A strong commitment to diversity and inclusion.
• Competitive pay with regular salary reviews aligned to market levels.
• Ongoing professional development plans tailored to individual needs and interests.
• Access to a global network of industry experts.
• Medical insurance covering inpatient and outpatient care.
• Group life and personal accident insurance, including life assurance cover.
• Employee share plan with company matching opportunities.
• Long service award recognition at 5-year milestones.

Equal opportunity statement

Wood is an equal opportunity employer and welcomes applications from qualified people from all backgrounds. Hiring decisions are based on objective criteria and are not influenced by race, colour, age, religion, gender, national origin, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, or other protected characteristics under applicable law.