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

Human Resources Logistics & Procurement

Overview

Lead and manage the procurement strategies for HR and professional services.

You have:

• Master's degree in Supply Management, Finance Management, Marketing, Human Resources, Operations, Applied Economics, or a related field, with a 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, and financial services.
• Demonstrated experience in leading a high-performing team with the 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.
• Project Management skills with extensive experience in managing multiple related projects to ensure overall program alignment with strategic objectives.
• Ability to deal sensitively in a multicultural environment and build effective working relationships.
• Superior communication skills in English (verbal, written, and comprehension) and ability to resolve interpersonal conflict.
• Ability to function effectively in multi-disciplinary teams within a matrix management environment.

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

Job #: req38048 Organization: World Bank Sector: Procurement Grade: GG Term Duration: 3 years 0 months Recruitment Type: International Recruitment Location: Washington, DC,United States Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 8/26/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC Description

Do you want to build a career that is truly worthwhile? Working at the World Bank Group provides a unique opportunity for you to help our clients solve their greatest development challenges. The World Bank Group is one of the largest sources of funding and knowledge for developing countries; a unique global partnership of five institutions dedicated to ending extreme poverty, increasing shared prosperity, and promoting sustainable development. With 189 member countries and more than 120 offices worldwide, we work with public and private sector partners, investing in groundbreaking projects and using data, research, and technology to develop solutions to the most urgent global challenges. For more information, visit www.worldbank.org

VPU Context:

The WBG Budget and Procurement (WBP) is organized into five Departments: WBP Centers of Excellence (WBPCE) with teams supporting the corporate strategic business and budget planning process, providing WBP systems, knowledge, and shared services; WBP IBRD/IDA Regional Units (WBPRU) with teams supporting IBRD/IDA clients in the regions; WBP IFC/MIGA Budget Partners (CSRDR) with teams supporting IFC/MIGA clients in the HQ and the regions; WBP Corporate Units (WBPCU) with teams supporting the Knowledge Bank and corporate units and providing capital budget support; and WBP Corporate Procurement (WBPCP) with teams providing group-wide procurement services.

Unit Context:

The Corporate Procurement Department supports the mission of the WBG by performing the procurement function following the principles of transparency, fairness, competition, and best value in an efficient, effective, and customer-focused manner. These principles are employed globally and represent the strategic elements that guide the Bank Group’s activities in procurement and contracting practices. Corporate Procurement is responsible for coordinating and overseeing the sourcing strategy, selection, and contract execution for more than 130 Bank Group offices around the globe, serving our clients from offices located in Washington, D.C. Global Business Centers located in Chennai, India and Sofia, Bulgaria. Within the BPSSM delivery model, the Corporate Procurement Department focuses on three core principles:

• Commerciality: Deliver best “value for money” supply solutions measured by cost, quality, and speed.

• Risk Management: Predict, mitigate, and manage vendor related risks to protect WBG’s interests

• Sustainability: Develop environmentally and socially sustainable supply chains.

Categories of spend include: i) Corporate Services and Real Estate; ii) Human Resources and Professional Services; ; iii) Technology and iv) Consulting Services. The duty station will be Washington D.C.

The Sr. Procurement Specialist (Category Head) for HR and Professional Services category position reports to the Global Head Sourcing and Supplier Manager.

Leads and manages a team of 5+ Category Managers and Analyst staff based in the HQ, Global Business Centers (GBC). The position for the category head requires familiarity and knowledge of category management strategies and practices for HR and Professional related services, and skills to advise the team in conducting their sourcing initiatives, negotiations, and dispute resolution; collaborate with business partners; and advising colleagues in WBG office worldwide on policy related matters.

Duties and accountabilities:

The Category Head is responsible for leading a team of Category Managers and developing category strategies that deliver value, strengthen supplier performance, reduce risk, and support organizational objectives. The role provides strategic leadership, governance, and oversight across multiple procurement categories while ensuring effective stakeholder engagement and team development.

1. Category Strategy and Leadership

• 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 that focuses on total cost of ownership, supplier innovation, and long-term value.

• Lead periodic category reviews and strategic planning exercises.

2. Team Leadership and People Management

• 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.

3. Strategic Sourcing Oversight

• 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 are conducted in accordance 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.

4. Stakeholder Engagement and Business Partnership

• 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 are aligned with operational and strategic business requirements.

• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration to support procurement planning and execution.

• Manage stakeholder expectations and resolve escalated procurement issues

Due to the requirements of the job, this position may require frequent adjustments to the work schedule created by the time zone difference with many of the clients it supports and may also involve a limited amount of travel.

Work implies frequent interaction with the following:

• WBG staff at all levels, typically Business Unit Managers, Country Directors and Managers, Chief Administrative Officers, Legal Counsels, Resource Managers, Administrative Procurement Review Committee Members, and Project Task Leaders etc.

• Supplier representatives typically head of companies and VPs, account managers, sales representatives, and commodity specialists, and technical representatives etc.

Selection Criteria

• Master's degree in Supply Management, Finance Management, Marketing, Human Resources, Operations, Applied Economics, or a related field, with a 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. The category includes but is not limited to 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 along with proven ability to have motivated category managers and procurement professionals.

• Proven ability to build effective relationships with senior business leaders and stakeholders in the organization 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 in managing multiple related projects to ensure the overall program is aligned and directly supports the achievement of strategic objectives.

• Ability to deal sensitively in a multicultural environment and build effective working relationships with clients, colleagues, and other stakeholders.

General Competencies:

• Superior communication skills in English (verbal, written, and comprehension), and ability to resolve interpersonal conflict.

• Ability to function effectively in multi-disciplinary teams within a matrix management environment, as well 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 advocate for the use of emerging technologies in work program delivery.

WBG Culture Attributes:

1. Sense of urgency: Anticipate and quickly respond to the needs of internal and external stakeholders. 2. Thoughtful risk-taking: Challenge the status quo and push boundaries to achieve greater impact. 3. Empowerment and accountability: Empower yourself and others to act and hold each other accountable for results.

World Bank Group Core Competencies

The World Bank Group offers comprehensive benefits, including a retirement plan; medical, life and disability insurance; and paid leave, including parental leave, as well as reasonable accommodations for individuals with disabilities.

We are proud to be an equal opportunity and inclusive employer with a dedicated and committed workforce, and do not discriminate based on gender, gender identity, religion, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or disability.

Learn more about working at the World Bank and IFC including our values and inspiring stories.

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Potential interview questions

Added 3 days ago - Updated 2 hours ago - Source: worldbank.org