Purchasing Specialist

About KONE

KONE has earned the distinction of being a Top Employer across the UAE, Qatar, KSA, and Oman by fostering excellent employee-focused practices. The company emphasizes the well-being of its workforce, cultivating a work atmosphere centered on collaboration, diversity, growth, and efficiency.

Role Overview

The Purchasing Specialist collaborates with the Unit Purchasing Manager to execute sourcing strategies tailored to a particular unit. This role involves close coordination with various internal business functions, identification of local sourcing opportunities, management of supplier tenders, acting as the contract owner for selected suppliers, and maintaining supplier relationships. Additionally, the role supports specific customer projects by defining optimal supplier arrangements.

Key Responsibilities

• Engage with unit business functions to discern procurement needs.
• Discover local sourcing possibilities for direct materials and spare parts.
• Negotiate frame contracts and pricing structures for suppliers pertaining to direct materials and spares.
• Hold ownership of contracts relating to direct materials and spare part suppliers.
• Assist in applying global or area-level category plans within the unit.
• Occasionally serve as a sourcing expert for other units, representing their procurement needs.
• Develop sourcing plans for customer projects and liaise closely with project teams to accurately capture specific requirements.
• Conduct Request for Quotations (RFQs) for project-specific materials and facilitate contract negotiations with suppliers.
• Guide client-facing teams on preferred suppliers and select suppliers appropriate for customer projects.
• Identify local sourcing opportunities for subcontracted installation services.
• Negotiate frame contracts and pricing for local installation subcontractors.
• Oversight of contracts for installation subcontractors within the local supply chain.
• Support global and area category plan rollouts within the unit.
• Gather business requirements for indirect spending sourcing projects.
• Champion implementation of global and area sourcing projects through local contract negotiations where necessary.
• Contribute to updating local procurement guidelines and ensure adherence to preferred supplier usage.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or a related discipline is required.
• Additional certifications or education in Supply Chain Management or Procurement are highly favorable.
• Strong command of the English language, both verbal and written.
• Minimum of five years’ experience in procurement and supply chain roles.
• Knowledge of local procurement legislation and supplier networks is advantageous.
• Exposure to multinational or international working environments is beneficial.

Professional Skills & Competencies

• Thorough understanding of supply markets relevant to the unit's expenditure.
• Expertise in supplier tendering, negotiation, and contract management.
• Familiarity with supplier performance monitoring, quality assurance, and relationship management.
• Proficiency in procurement-related technologies and systems.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to manage change effectively.
• A strategic and analytical approach aimed at optimizing costs.

Work Culture & Values

KONE is devoted to nurturing an innovative and cooperative work environment that values each team member's contributions. The company prioritizes employee engagement, encourages open communication, and fosters sustainability as a core cultural element. Ethical business standards guide operations, and mutual trust and respect are foundational to the workplace ethos. KONE provides abundant opportunities for personal and professional growth alongside promoting work-life balance.