Associate Director, Procurement Process Owner & Transformation

The Associate Director leads the design, governance, and continuous improvement of end-to-end procurement processes across the Bank. This senior role spearheads the global transformation and deployment of SAP S/4HANA and SAP Ariba ecosystems, ensuring effective procurement operations and contract management.

Responsibilities

• Own and maintain the Bank’s end-to-end procurement process framework (S2C and P2P), including process maps, operating standards and controls.
• Lead the transformation, design, and deployment of the new SAP S/4HANA and SAP Ariba ecosystems and bridge the gap between procurement, finance, business partners and IT to deliver a world-class, automated S2S model.
• Ensure alignment of procurement processes with corporate policies, internal controls, and regulatory requirements (e.g., audit, compliance).
• Act as the process authority for procurement-related activities across the organisation.
• Identify opportunities to simplify, standardise, and optimise procurement processes.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives using best practices, automation, and digital procurement solutions.
• Partner with technology teams to support system implementations, upgrades, and process redesign.
• Drive adoption of procurement tools and new ways of working.
• Embed appropriate risk management and control frameworks within procurement processes.
• Ensure segregation of duties, approval workflows, and governance structures are clearly defined and consistently applied.
• Support internal and external audits by ensuring procurement processes and documentation meet compliance requirements.
• Monitor process adherence and address control gaps.
• Collaborate with procurement leadership, finance, legal, and business stakeholders to ensure processes meet operational needs.
• Provide guidance and training to procurement teams on process standards and governance.
• Act as a key liaison between procurement, finance, and technology teams.
• Define and track process performance metrics (KPIs).
• Monitor procurement process effectiveness, cycle times, and compliance levels.
• Provide regular reporting and insights to leadership on process performance and improvement initiatives.
• Work closely with the Procurement Operations Team to centralise vendor onboarding, operationalise contracts, maintain catalogues, facilitate purchase order creation, deliver reporting, perform spend analysis and procurement planning, meet donor and Board obligations.
• Represent the Bank at MDB and IFI meetings and industry forums to promote best procurement practice.
• Provide professional procurement input, advice and solutions to inter-departmental working groups and Bank committees.
• Address problematic situations where disputes with internal stakeholders could escalate beyond junior team members.
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with key stakeholders to align objectives.
• Lead relevant training for Bank staff at HQ and Resident Offices regarding PODD activities and contract management.
• Directly accountable for staff engagement and management including recruitment, compensation, performance management, coaching and development.
• Champion and role model the Bank’s Behavioural Competencies and Corporate Behaviours, ensuring integrity and ethical conduct within the team.

Requirements

• Education to Degree level or equivalent. A Masters or a professional qualification would be desirable combined with extensive practical experience in procurement.
• Membership of the Chartered Institute of Purchasing and Supply (MCIPS) or equivalent would be an advantage.
• Proven capability and experience in high value procurement in categories including Consultancy and other Professional Services, IT Services, IT Hardware & IT Software, HR Services, Facilities Management and Event Management.
• Significant experience in STS & procurement process design, optimization & transformation initiatives.
• Strong experience with procurement systems and digital tools, particularly Ariba/SAP, including involvement in system implementation, enhancement or optimization initiatives.
• Strong leadership and influencing skills with particular reference to internal clients and the Department’s staff.
• Problem solver with good personal and business judgment.
• Change management skills.
• Excellent communication, negotiation and interpersonal skills.
• Excellent English language skills, both oral and written.
• Experience in motivating teams.
• Experience of responding effectively to the needs of multiple stakeholders using innovative approaches to coordinate potentially conflicting objectives.
• Acting with fiduciary, responsibility and integrity.
• Clear understanding of good corporate governance and issues of segregation of duties.

Skills

• High Value Procurement
• Consultancy procurement
• Professional services procurement
• IT services procurement
• IT hardware procurement
• IT software procurement
• HR services procurement
• Facilities Procurement
• Event management procurement
• Procurement process design
• Procurement Process Improvement
• Procurement Systems
• SAP Ariba
• SAP S/4HANA
• Digital Procurement Design
• Procurement transformation
• Change Management
• Procurement Leadership
• Stakeholder Management
• Contract Management
• Corporate Governance
• Segregation of Duties

Languages

English