Senior Procurement Specialist (Category Head – HR and Professional Services)

The Senior Procurement Specialist (Category Head) leads and manages a team responsible for category strategies in HR and Professional Services procurement. The role provides strategic leadership, governance, and oversight across multiple procurement categories to deliver value, reduce risk, and support organizational objectives at the World Bank Group.

Responsibilities

• Develop and oversee the implementation of category strategies across assigned spend categories.
• Identify opportunities for cost optimization, value creation, demand management, and process improvement.
• Drive a category management approach focusing on total cost of ownership, supplier innovation, and long-term value.
• Lead periodic category reviews and strategic planning exercises.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Category Managers and procurement professionals.
• Establish clear objectives, priorities, and performance expectations for team members.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, continuous improvement, and customer service.
• Support staff development through coaching, training, and succession planning.
• Monitor workload distribution and ensure efficient allocation of resources across categories and projects.
• Provide oversight and guidance on complex, high-value, and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Review and approve sourcing strategies, procurement approaches, solicitation documents, and evaluation methodologies.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with organizational policies and governance requirements.
• Support negotiations for major contracts and strategic supplier agreements.
• Ensure timely delivery of procurement outcomes while maintaining quality and compliance standards.
• Build strong relationships with senior business leaders and key stakeholders.
• Act as a trusted advisor on procurement, sourcing, and category management matters.
• Ensure procurement strategies align with operational and strategic business requirements.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to support procurement planning and execution.
• Manage stakeholder expectations and resolve escalated procurement issues.

Requirements

• Master's degree in Supply Management, Finance Management, Marketing, Human Resources, Operations, Applied Economics, or a related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience in category management and sourcing complex procurements, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven experience in category management in HR / professional services sourcing including HR hire to retire services, staff or labor augmentation, third party administration of benefits program, financial services, insurance, Marketing & Communications and training.
• Demonstrated experience in leading a high-performing team and ability to motivate category managers and procurement professionals.
• Proven ability to build effective relationships with senior business leaders and stakeholders acting as a trusted advisor on sourcing and commercial matters.
• Strong interpersonal and analytical capabilities and logical problem-solving skills to resolve conflicts and influence decisions without direct authority.
• Project Management skills with extensive experience managing multiple related projects aligned with strategic objectives.
• Ability to work sensitively in a multicultural environment and build effective working relationships with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders.
• Superior communication skills in English (verbal, written, and comprehension).
• Ability to function effectively in multi-disciplinary teams within a matrix management environment and as an individual contributor.
• Ability to analyze and compare various sources of data, information and digital content and storytelling.
• Embracement of various digital tools and advocacy for the use of emerging technologies in work program delivery.

Skills

• Category Management
• HR Services Sourcing
• Professional Services Sourcing
• Procurement Strategies
• Team Leadership
• Stakeholder Engagement
• Project Management
• Conflict Resolution
• Data Analysis
• Digital Tools Advocacy
• Sourcing and Commercial Advisory
• Multi-cultural Team Collaboration
• Communications Skills
• Financial Services Procurement
• Marketing and Communications Procurement
• Training Services Procurement

Languages

English