SVP Strategic Procurement Team Lead, Strategic Alliances & Sourcing (SAS), GTO

Company: 1011 United Overseas Bank Ltd

About UOB

United Overseas Bank Limited (UOB) is a leading bank in Asia with a global network of more than 500 branches and offices in 19 countries and territories in Asia Pacific, Europe and North America. In Asia, we operate through our head office in Singapore and banking subsidiaries in China, Indonesia, Malaysia and Thailand, as well as branches and offices. Our history spans more than 80 years. Over this time, we have been guided by our values – Honorable, Enterprising, United and Committed. This means we always strive to do what is right, build for the future, work as one team and pursue long-term success. It is how we work, consistently, be it towards the company, our colleagues or our customers.

Job Description

The SVP, Strategic Procurement Team Lead, GTO is accountable for leading the Bank’s technology sourcing and procurement strategy in support of UOB’s 10‑year technology transformation roadmap.

This role leads a team of Strategic Sourcing & Procurement professionals and oversees end‑to‑end source‑to‑contract activities, complex technology contract negotiations, and strategic supplier management across the Bank.

The role requires a seasoned people leader with deep technology sourcing expertise, strong commercial judgment, and the ability to operate confidently with senior management, under high volume and time‑critical conditions while maintaining governance, quality, and regulatory compliance.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the strategic procurement partner to senior GTO and business stakeholders, supporting major technology initiatives and transformation programmes.
• Proactively engage delivery teams and business stakeholders to shape sourcing strategies, determine appropriate sourcing routes, and drive optimal commercial outcomes.
• Confidently lead and influence discussions with senior management, providing clear, structured responses under fast‑paced, high‑pressure conditions.

Technology Sourcing & Contract Negotiation

• Lead the review, structuring, and negotiation of a high volume of complex technology contracts annually, including MSAs, NDAs, and large‑scale outsourcing agreements.
• Oversee end‑to‑end sourcing lifecycle activities including RFPs, commercial and regulatory negotiations, supplier due diligence, and contract finalisation.
• Drive value‑based negotiations to secure best‑fit solutions aligned to business, technology, risk, and regulatory requirements.

Category & Supplier Strategy

• Define, implement, and continuously refine Bank‑wide IT procurement and category strategies in close collaboration with GTO stakeholders.
• Develop and strengthen long‑term strategic supplier partnerships and alliances that enable and support UOB’s technology roadmap.
• Establish robust supplier relationship management frameworks for assigned strategic suppliers, ensuring performance, risk management, and value realisation.

Governance, Risk & Compliance

• Provide clear guidance to stakeholders on procurement governance, UOB policies, standards, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure sourcing and contracting activities comply with internal policies, MAS guidelines, and outsourcing risk management standards.
• Apply deep subject matter expertise to assess deals rapidly and challenge assumptions through strong questioning from both commercial and governance perspectives.

People Leadership & Capability Building

• Lead, develop, and coach a team of Strategic Sourcing & Procurement professionals, fostering high performance, resilience, and accountability.
• Manage workload and volume effectively, balancing speed of delivery with quality and risk management.
• Navigate pressure both upward and downward – managing senior stakeholder expectations while supporting team morale and effectiveness.

Performance Management & Continuous Improvement

• Track, validate, and report sourcing savings and value outcomes across categories in scope.
• Identify and drive continuous improvement opportunities across the end‑to‑end Strategic Sourcing & Procurement function.
• Build and maintain structured stakeholder engagement models, including stakeholder matrices and regular touchpoints.

Key Requirements

• Extensive experience in IT / technology sourcing and procurement, ideally within large, complex, or regulated environments. Banking is highly desirable.
• Proven track record of negotiating complex technology contracts, including large‑scale outsourcing and managed services arrangements.
• Strong experience leading high‑volume sourcing portfolios under tight timelines without compromising governance or quality.
• Demonstrated ability to operate credibly with senior management in high‑stakes commercial and governance discussions.
• Proven people leader, with experience managing and developing senior sourcing professionals.
• Strong influencing skills with the maturity and confidence to challenge constructively and manage “fast and furious” senior stakeholder questioning.
• Ability to manage stress effectively and respond calmly, clearly, and appropriately in pressured environments.
• Commercially astute, structured, and decisive.
• Comfortable navigating ambiguity and complexity.
• Strong sense of ownership, resilience, and professionalism.

Additional Requirements

English, Procurement (Inactive), University-Bachelor - Accountancy & Business

Be a Part of the UOB Family

UOB is an equal opportunity employer. UOB does not discriminate on the basis of a candidate's age, race, gender, color, religion, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, or other non-merit factors. All employment decisions at UOB are based on business needs, job requirements and qualifications. If you require any assistance or accommodations to be made for the recruitment process, please inform us when you submit your online application.

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