Head – Transactional Procurement

Job Purpose:

The Head of Transactional Procurement is responsible for overseeing the strategic management and optimization of transactional procurement processes, ensuring efficient and cost-effective procurement practices across all organizational functions.

The Head of Transactional Procurement will also be responsible for managing the buyers who handle all day-to-day non-framework requirements for GEMS Schools.

Key Accountabilities:

• 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 implementing a number of framework agreements. Once implemented, continuously monitor the services provided by the vendor, assess their performance, and help troubleshoot any issues 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
• Assists departments in the evaluation of goods and services as needed; insure that customers' expectations and requirements are met; resolve conflicts concerning materials or services at the department and vendor levels; coordinate delivery and installation; confirm with customer that all products are received in condition consistent with original request or bid; keep in constant contact with appropriate personnel to insure satisfactory operations; review warranties; coordinate returns and/or repairs of products
• Evaluate and monitor department purchase requisitions for proper authorization, specifications, and legal compliance; take responsibility for procuring appropriate items or services; create and reviews purchase orders; research and resolve receiving and accounts payable issues; input, edit, and retrieve purchasing data; disburse and maintain files related to purchase orders and purchasing; maintain other department files including those pertaining to vendors, bids, quotes, and other correspondence
• Developing and implementing alternate ways to source in order to achieve improved cost, delivery, and cash flow
• Ensuring that the purchasing team operates according to the GEMS Education’s policies, procedures, and guidelines for good practice
• Meeting with vendors to negotiate improved pricing, product quality and delivery times
• Conducting thorough spend habit analysis to better understand our purchasing patterns in order to improve the purchasing process and cash flow
• Producing tender and contract documentation, working with contract manager and Legal as required
• Providing leadership and direction to the transaction team / buyers
• Developing strong and lasting relationships with strategic suppliers in order to foster an environment of partnership, collaboration and teamwork
• Developing and implementing efficiencies, standardized tools, practices and procedures shortening the quotation, RFP and evaluation time
• Maintain strong working relationships with strategic suppliers to assure cost, quality, and delivery targets are met
• Lead rigorous and objective contract negotiations with key internal stakeholders, legal department and end users
• Responsible for day-to-day procurement operations to support the execution of overall business objectives and strategies
• Developing negotiation strategies to drive cost reduction; performing cost analyses and ensuring that payment terms are appropriate

Expected Qualifications:

• Minimum advance business degree;
• CIPS qualification is a must

Expected Experience:

• A minimum of 7 years of end to end supply chain and logistics management experience       
• Multi-site education and start-up experience preferred     

Job-Specific Knowledge & Skills: 

• Expert knowledge of Procurement best practices
• Effective interpersonal skills to aide in daily contact with a diverse multi-cultural environment
• Ability to present concepts and guidance to business leadership.
• Ability to lead and guide peer-teams through expert/referent authority
• Ability to maintain confidentiality and exemplify personal and professional integrity
• Demonstrate mature judgment, courteousness and professional demeanour
• Demonstrate skills in forward thinking and being able to anticipate and prioritize work Fluent English communication skills, written and oral
• Expert knowledge of Procurement best practices.
• Capable of influencing people and talented in networking with cultural sensitivity
• Strong Commercial acumen
• Ability to lead and guide peer-teams through expert authority.

GEMS Education is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all of its students and staff. A UK-enhanced DBS or equivalent police check is a pre-requisite for all appointments.