Senior Category Specialist

Role overview

The Senior Category Specialist will steer the procurement strategy for the assigned category by leading sourcing activities, strengthening supplier partnerships, applying procurement best practices, and negotiating framework agreements. The role also owns post-award contract administration, supports cost-saving initiatives with internal stakeholders and suppliers, manages high-value purchase orders outside framework agreements, and oversees risk assessment across the category.

Core responsibilities

• Build category expertise across both technical and commercial aspects, define category spend and preferred supplier policies, and ensure the category plan is executed in line with relevant procedures and controls.
• Handle complex claims, disputes, and inconsistencies in contract terms and conditions, including leading discussions with suppliers where required.
• Assess category risks, identify exposure, and prepare mitigation actions.
• Maintain and expand service masters, including adding new items and helping end users understand how to use them.
• Track KPIs, review performance data, and propose improvement actions based on the results.
• Act as Risk Champion for the full category and support internal and external audits as needed.
• Coach and support category specialists in daily activities.
• Analyse internal demand drivers and external market conditions to inform category planning.
• Support short-, medium-, and long-term forecasts in coordination with end users, Finance, and Strategic Procurement teams.
• Contribute market intelligence, including trends and pricing information, to long-term forecasting and strategy work.
• Help shape category strategies and category plans together with stakeholders, based on supply-demand dynamics and guidance from the Head of Strategic Procurement.
• Recommend value levers for each sub-category, including commercial actions as well as specification improvements and partnership opportunities.
• Deliver annual category plans, including framework agreements, price renegotiations, and initiative studies.
• Lead sourcing projects such as RFP preparation and review, pricing and term negotiations, contract drafting, supplier relationship management, and stakeholder coordination.
• Develop supplier portfolios for strategic sourcing based on market research and detailed supplier profiling aligned with Q-Chem objectives.
• Monitor supply markets and contract performance to ensure benefits from sourcing initiatives are sustained.
• Run high-value tenders and other sourcing exercises in compliance with policies, procedures, and legal requirements.
• Support supplier selection in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
• Prepare contracts and templates with support from legal teams or external legal consultants.
• Plan negotiation approaches and lead contract negotiations within policy boundaries.
• Manage supplier onboarding into operations and support supplier transition activities.
• Define supplier qualification criteria and base requirements.
• Prepare supplier relationship management plans and execute supplier management activities according to guidance from the Head of Strategic Procurement.
• Develop strategic relationships with suppliers and promote supplier-led innovation and cost reduction initiatives.
• Evaluate vendor performance, define criteria and KPIs, set targets, collect results, share feedback, and support supplier improvement.
• Maintain the risk register and basic contractor performance data to aid operational decision-making.
• Serve as the communication link between Q-Chem and suppliers and act as an escalation contact for supplier performance matters.
• Coordinate discrepancies in contract terms and conditions within managed categories.
• Support complex dispute resolution and assist category specialists in resolving contractual issues.
• Carry out post-award contract administration, including variations, claims, disputes, and related follow-up.
• Continuously improve departmental systems, policies, processes, and practices using internationally recognised leading practices.
• Provide input for developing department systems and procedures to align them with business needs.
• Prepare supporting papers for Tender Committee reviews when required.
• Approve contracts, agreements, and purchases within assigned economic authority limits as defined for Category Specialists.
• Maintain strong compliance with the company’s code of conduct, regulations, policies, procedures, and standards.
• Organise category team meetings with the Category Head, end users, and other subject-matter experts as needed.
• Ensure adherence to quality, health, safety, security, and environmental requirements across the section.
• Prepare accurate and timely reports on tender progress and strategic sourcing activities.
• Contribute to the development of Qatari employees under the Qatarization commitment.

Qualifications and experience

A bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related business field is required. A bachelor’s degree in Engineering and/or a postgraduate qualification in Contract Management or Project Management is preferred.

The role requires 5 to 7 years of multi-disciplinary experience, including at least 3 years in Oil & Gas, petrochemicals, or a major industrial environment in procurement, with 2 to 3 years focused on strategic procurement. A preferred background is 7 to 10 years of multi-disciplinary experience, including 6 years in Oil & Gas or petrochemicals at specialist/professional level in strategic procurement.

Additional requirements

Preferred professional certifications include CIPS, CSCP, SCMA, ISM, or similar supply chain credentials. Working knowledge of SAP, including SAP Ariba, is preferred, along with proficiency in MS Office. Strong negotiation, communication, and conflict management abilities are needed. English proficiency is required, and Arabic working knowledge is preferred.

Working expectations

This is a full-time onsite position based in Doha, Qatar.