Category Buyer - Indirect Materials and Services (Consultants - HR Services - Training)

Contract

This is a ICRC - Open-ended contract. More about ICRC - Open-ended contracts.

What we do

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) works worldwide to provide protection and humanitarian assistance to people affected by conflict and armed violence. We take action in response to emergencies and, at the same time, promote respect for international humanitarian law. We are an independent and neutral organization, and our mandate stems essentially from the Geneva Conventions of 1949. We work closely with National Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies and with their International Federation in order to ensure a concerted, rational and rapid humanitarian response to the needs of the victims of armed conflict or any other situation of internal violence. We direct and coordinate the international activities conducted in these situations.

Our Values

At the ICRC, we value impact, collaboration, respect, and compassion. We seek candidates who demonstrate behaviors based on these shared values. For more information on the ICRC values, please visit this page.

Purpose

Category Buyer - Indirect Materials and Services role is located in Belgrade and is part of the Procurement unit. The position supports the Indirect Procurement team based in Geneva and more specifically its Professional Services pool.

The Professional Services pool is responsible for the procurement of materials and professional services such as HR, Travel, Consultants, and Communication to meet all ICRC departments' needs. It aims to provide responsive, effective, and quality procurement services and business advice while achieving the best value for money and ensuring a fair, competitive, and transparent process in accordance with sound procurement principles.

The Category buyer provides procurement expertise and assists clients and stakeholders in planning, developing, sourcing, and managing procurement arrangements to effectively meet organizational and business objectives, ensuring compliance with applicable rules and regulations. S/He has legal authority to enter into commercial agreements on behalf of the Organization within the limits specified in applicable regulations.

Accountabilities & Functional responsibilities

Support the procurement strategy and contribute to the unit performance:

• Support the build phase and implementation of the annual procurement plan.
• Participate in ICRC annual budgeting exercise and provide sourcing project updates.
• Contribute to cost reduction objectives by tracking and recording cost avoidance/savings monthly.

Support the category strategies development and implementation:

• Develop market expertise through continuous market research, analyzing trends, developments, and best practices in purchasing.
• Assist the Lead buyer in analyzing category strategy development.

Manage the sourcing process for designated categories:

• Analyzing requests and conducting comprehensive procurement activities (reviewing specifications, tendering, supplier selection, evaluation).
• Represent procurement in cross-functional teams.
• Maintain procurement files, ensuring they are audit ready.

Manage the contract lifecycle from initiation to implementation:

• Monitor supplier compliance with agreed terms and conditions.
• Manage contract lifecycles and maintain records in systems.

Manage the relationship with stakeholders and suppliers:

• Manage supplier relationships based on tier categorization.
• Support stakeholders' objectives, manage their expectations, and participate in meetings.
• Coordinate regular supplier business reviews in collaboration with stakeholders.

Perform administrative tasks:

• Manage item code creation/supplier registration in relevant systems.
• Manages the day-to-day relationship with client units, supply-chain staff and suppliers.
• Perform PO File/Profiles tasks and mitigate risks by performing assigned controls.
• Perform assigned P2P tasks in the enterprise resource planning system (PO approval).

Relationships

• Internally, interacts within the procurement team, other logistics staff and staff in Units that request purchases.
• Externally, interacts with a professional network of contacts in the region, e.g. suppliers and other companies, humanitarian organizations, trade-support institutions, etc.

Certifications / Education required

• Master's degree in procurement; business administration, public administration, commerce, or related field.
• Degree in procurement or supply-chain management.
• Computer proficiency, including knowledge of enterprise resource planning systems.
• Excellent knowledge of written and spoken English.
• Knowledge of French is an advantage but not mandatory.

Professional Experience required

• At least five years’ experience in indirect procurement, sourcing process, contract management, stakeholder management, supplier management and category management.
• Proven experience carrying out procurement activities for services or non-manufacturing at the international level for an intergovernmental or governmental organization or large multi-national organizations.
• Proficiency in the strategic sourcing process and enterprise resource planning systems.

Desired profile and skills

• Strong negotiation skills and problem-solving mindset.
• Exceptional analytical abilities to identify issues, explore root causes, and provide recommendations.
• Outstanding interpersonal skills to build trust and positive relationships with peers and stakeholders in multicultural environments.
• Excellent organizational skills, capable of prioritizing tasks and meeting strict deadlines.
• Excellent communication skills, adept at conducting effective dialogues.
• Proficient in working collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams.
• Accessible, open-minded, and able to resolve differences, establish trust, and remain calm and positive even in challenging situations.
• Demonstrates a sense of accountability and fosters trust to drive change.

Additional information

• Type of role: Category Buyer 2 (800465)
• Working rate: 100%
• Location: BSSC
• Job level: C1
• Length of assignment: Open-ended
• Type of position: Resident (The vacancy is open only for persons with Serbian citizenship or personal work permit in the Republic of Serbia)

• Application deadline: 13/02/2024

  If you are interested in this position, please send us your CV and Motivation letter in English.

  Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

What we offer

• Work and progressive professional development in an exciting international environment
• An inspiring opportunity to practice your profession in a humanitarian and multicultural organization
• Stimulating benefits package