Job Description

Procurement Specialist (Category Manager - Technology Sourcing)

Job #: req38734 Organization: World Bank Sector: Procurement Grade: GF Term Duration: Open-Ended Staff (OPEN-OP)

Recruitment Type: Local Recruitment Location: Sofia,Bulgaria Required Language(s): English Preferred Language(s): Closing Date: 10/29/2026 (MM/DD/YYYY) at 11:59pm UTC

Description

At the World Bank, a member of the World Bank Group (WBG), you’ll join a diverse, global community working across cultures, disciplines, and borders to address the world’s most pressing development challenges. With 1.2 billion young people reaching working age in the decade ahead, the challenge of job creation has never been greater. Through partnerships across 145 countries and more than 182 offices worldwide, we work with governments, private sector, development partners and other stakeholders to invest in people, strengthen markets, and deliver scalable, data-driven solutions that generate more and better jobs and improve lives. For more information, visit https://www.worldbank.org/en/who-we-are/ibrd

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., 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 Procurement Specialist (Category Manager) position reports to the Senior Procurement Specialist (Head of Category), who in turn reports to the Global Head Sourcing and Supplier Management.

The position for the category team requires familiarity and knowledge of category management strategies and practices, and skills to lead sourcing initiatives from business needs to contract closeout including conducting negotiations, and dispute resolution; collaborate with business partners; and advising colleagues in WBG office worldwide on policy related matters.

Duties and accountabilities:

• Leads and independently manages the category and sourcing initiatives for categories within Corporate Procurement.
• Partners with client’s needs, collaborate with clients in developing procurement plans; carry out market research to identify sources of supply, trend analysis and benchmarks.
• Develops evaluation criteria, generate solicitations, manages bidding process, reviews technical specifications for completeness and competitive qualities; prepares contracts; and engages vendors in process discussions and negotiates contract terms and conditions.
• Provides guidance and direction to Project Managers on commercial contract management issues.
• Possesses an expert level understanding of commerciality and ability to demonstrate value for money through strategic planning, solicitation, and negotiations.
• Maximizes positive impact on sustainability (diversity, environment, social responsibility) through the sourcing process and category management.
• Exposure to risk management, assessing risks, and work with business partners to mitigate risks through sourcing.

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 typiacally 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 5 years of relevant experience in category management and sourcing complex procurements, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Proven experience in category management and category management in above mentioned categories in Consulting, Labor, Technology or professional services.
• Knowledge of international procurement practices and public/private sector procedures, with required in-depth experience in corporate-level service procurement at an international organization or multinational company.
• Extensive experience in developing category strategies incorporating industry benchmarks, understanding sources of supply, market trends, pricing, etc.
• Strong negotiating skills, including the ability to negotiate complex contract terms and conditions (e.g., international regulations, technology issues, data privacy, indemnification, intellectual property, cultural issues, assignment, contract termination).
• Knowledge of sustainable procurement trends and practices, including supplier diversity & inclusion activities.
• Strong interpersonal and analytical capabilities and logical problem-solving skills, and ability to structure data and assign resources effectively, monitor implementation and deliver results in line with project goals.
• 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.
• Expert user with MS Office applications (Excel, PPT, Word) and comfortable with adoption of technology and/or systems relevant to the functional area.

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.