Senior Specialist - Procurement

Aldar Education is seeking a Senior Specialist - Procurement to support our growing family of schools in the United Arab Emirates. This is an exciting opportunity for a skilled professional to to join the highly successful Aldar family of schools and to help shape the future of Abu Dhabi’s leading school group.

Since its inception in 2007 with just 250 students, Aldar Education has grown into a highly sought-after education provider, with more than 25 owned and managed premium and super-premium schools and academies- in partnership with some of the world’s most prestigious institutions including Rugby School, King’s College Wimbledon, and Cranleigh. The Group now serves over 38,000 students through 5,000 educators from more than 100 nationalities to deliver world-class education across a broad range of curricula and learning pathways from nursery through to K12.

At Aldar Education, our impact goes far beyond the classroom: we are proud to contribute to the UAE’s vision for a sustainable, knowledge-based economy through premium education. With this in mind, we hire educators and industry professionals who not only embody our values and cultural ethos but also bring a genuine passion for education—qualities central to our mission of shaping the leaders of tomorrow.

If you are passionate about excellence and ready to make a meaningful impact, we invite you to apply and be part of our journey.

Responsibilities

Main Duties

• Managing and controlling all the company’s external suppliers with particular emphasis on the commercial terms and conditions of each purchase.
• Ensure goods and services are bought at the most competitive price and delivered on time.
• Establishes strategic relationships with key suppliers who are aligned with the company’s needs.
• Identifies new suppliers, agrees terms and negotiates supply agreements where appropriate, including discount structures and volume rebates.
• Fosters close working relationships with associated departments e.g. Education, Finance, IT, and Operations.
• Responsible to ensure that all items related to schools are procured in a timely manner, in line with the purchasing policy.
• Responsible for following up with both the vendor and the school to ensure that all the requested items have been delivered by the vendor and received in full by the school.
• Responsible for the implementation of a number of framework agreements. Upon implementation, continuously monitors the services offered by the vendor, assessing the vendor’s performance and helping to troubleshoot any problematic areas that arise.
• Responsible for tendering key specialist areas, ensuring that they have effectively captured the organization’s requirement, established competitive rates and commercial terms in line with each individual school’s requirements.
• Negotiates contracts for the procurement of goods and services from approved suppliers. Establishes strategies to improve supply chain, solves shortage issues and strengthen supplier relationships.
• Plans, schedules, monitors the delivery of goods and services to our schools.
• In-depth knowledge of ERP Platforms (Oracle )
• Prepares and raises purchase orders and order schedules.
• Expedites orders as necessary. Identifies actual and potential delivery problems and takes proactive steps to inform appropriate personnel.
• Performs supplier audits, supplier selection and ongoing rating in tandem with End User Departments
• Perform Spend analysis and come with the actionable insights.

Specific Duties

• Prepares award presentation for Tender Committee approvals.
• Continually assesses market conditions which may affect procurement and recommends procurement management strategy changes.
• Controls, manages and processes incoming freight and logistics.
• Develops and maintains an effective vendor database in order to procure various services, equipment, materials, and supplies.
• Obtains competitive price quotes through the preparation and implementation of formal request for quotation.
• Negotiates procurement details with vendors; provides and coordinates product and service trial periods or demonstrations as required; recommends the most appropriate and cost-effective alternatives, maintains current knowledge of new products and services.
• Assists departments in the evaluation of goods and services as needed; ensures that customers’ expectations and requirements are met; resolves conflicts concerning materials or services at the department and vendor levels; coordinates delivery and installation; confirms with customer that all products are received in condition consistent with original request or bid; keeps in constant contact with appropriate personnel to insure satisfactory operations; reviews warranties; coordinates returns and/or repairs of products.
• Evaluates and monitors department purchase requisitions for proper authorization, specifications, and legal compliance; takes responsibility for procuring appropriate items or services; creates and reviews purchase orders; researches and resolves receiving and accounts payable issues; inputs, edits, and retrieves purchasing data; disburses and maintains files related to purchase orders and purchasing; maintains other department files including those pertaining to vendors, bids, quotes, and other correspondence.
• Undertakes additional duties as required by the Line Manager appropriate

Qualifications

Minimum Qualifications

• Minimum graduate level degree or related Procurement Specific qualification.
• CIPS certified would be an added value.

Minimum Experience

• A minimum of 6 years’ experience in procurement within the region. (Education Sector preferred)

Minimum Experience

• Knowledge of modern purchasing methods, strategic procurement practices, and data analytics
• Working experience in ERP environment
• Knowledge of purchasing / procurement concepts, processes, activities and trends.
• Fluent English communication skills, written and oral. Arabic is added value
• Attention to details with diligent follow up, and able to execute in a timely manner
• Skilled in multi-tasking and handling pressure
• Excellent interpersonal skills
• General knowledge of agreement terms and conditions
• Proficiency in procurement software and tools (e.g. SAP, Oracle)
• Strong ability to negotiate terms, prices, and other critical contract elements
• Ability to analyse and interpret procurement metrics and KPIs

WHAT WE OFFER:

Aldar Education is a family of world-class, child-centered, and innovative schools based in the UAE. We educate over 34,000 students across our group of owned and managed schools, and as we grow, so does our need for highly skilled, inspirational, and dedicated school leaders. We offer an attractive remuneration package including medical cover, flights, housing, and free child school places. Our future-focused learning model includes both students and staff, so we place a special emphasis on professional development, coaching and training.

Successful candidates will have access to a wide network of professionals and opportunities to both lead and contribute to training others as well as developing themselves.

Aldar Education is keen to hear from like-minded, forward thinking school leaders who would welcome the challenges and opportunities that we have to offer.

This job description is not all inclusive. Aldar Education reserves the right to amend this job description at any time. We are an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive work environment. We are also mindful of our national development strategy and encourage UAE Nationals in their application at our company.

Aldar Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of children and young people and expects all staff to share this commitment. Offers of appointment are subject to satisfactory references and police clearance.