Senior Category Manager – Infrastructure & Engineering Services
Strategic Category Manager – Utilities & Energy
Confidential Organisation | Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
Package
- Competitive tax-free salary
- Housing allowance
- Annual flights
- Family medical cover
- Schooling support
- Performance bonus
An established organisation operating within the Utilities & Energy sector is seeking an experienced Strategic Category Manager – Utilities & Energy to help shape and embed a best-practice category management approach across a critical portfolio supporting major electrical infrastructure programmes.
This is a highly strategic opportunity for an experienced category management professional who has successfully developed long-term category strategies, influenced senior stakeholders and helped organisations transition from tactical procurement towards a mature, value‑driven category management function.
Working within a high‑performing procurement team, you will define category roadmaps, establish governance, build strategic supplier partnerships and lead complex sourcing initiatives across high‑value power and utilities spend. Partnering closely with Engineering, Operations, Finance and Project Delivery teams, you will play a key role in shaping procurement strategy and delivering long‑term commercial value.
Key Responsibilities- Develop and implement long‑term category strategies across the Utilities & Energy portfolio.
- Help establish and embed a best‑practice category management framework across key spend areas.
- Drive the transition from tactical procurement to strategic category management.
- Develop category roadmaps using market intelligence, demand planning and supplier insight.
- Lead complex sourcing programmes, competitive tenders and commercial negotiations.
- Build strategic supplier partnerships focused on innovation, resilience and long‑term value creation.
- Partner with Engineering, Operations, Finance and Project Delivery teams to influence procurement strategy and business objectives.
- Identify opportunities to improve procurement governance, standardisation and category maturity.
- Negotiate and manage high‑value contracts across power and electrical infrastructure categories.
- Analyse market trends, supplier capability and commercial risks to support strategic decision‑making.
- Deliver measurable commercial, operational and sustainability outcomes.
Candidates must possess demonstrable strategic category management experience within the Utilities, Energy, Power Transmission & Distribution or Electrical Infrastructure sectors.
Applications from candidates without directly relevant category expertise will not be considered.
You Will Ideally Bring- Extensive procurement and category management experience within Utilities, Power Transmission & Distribution or Electrical Infrastructure.
- Experience establishing, developing or maturing a strategic category management function.
- Proven ability to develop and execute long‑term category strategies aligned to business objectives.
- Strong sourcing expertise across categories such as:
Transformers, Switchgear, Substations, Overhead transmission lines, Underground power cables, Electrical equipment, EPC contracts, Engineering services - Demonstrable success leading strategic sourcing programmes and complex commercial negotiations.
- Experience working within utilities, infrastructure, energy or other regulated environments.
- Excellent stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence both technical and commercial leadership teams.
- Strong commercial, analytical and negotiation capability.
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business or a related discipline.
- Typically 9+ years' procurement or category management experience.
- Join a high‑performing procurement function within a major Utilities & Energy organisation.
- Play a key role in shaping and embedding a strategic category management approach.
- Lead strategically important sourcing programmes across critical infrastructure categories.
- Influence procurement strategy across high‑value engineering and capital investment projects.
- Long‑term career progression within a stable, investment‑backed organisation.
- Attractive tax‑free package with excellent benefits.
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