Indirect Procurement Category Manager, APAC

About the role

Based in Kuala Lumpur, this APAC-focused role develops and executes sourcing strategies and procurement operations for indirect categories (e.g., IT, Marketing, Professional Services, Facilities, Travel). The Category Manager ensures cost efficiency, supplier performance, risk management, and compliance while collaborating with stakeholders, leading negotiations, and driving process improvements. Occasional involvement in China-related topics/projects may be required.

Key responsibilities

• Identify indirect sourcing opportunities and develop and implement sourcing strategies to support business objectives
• Align global and regional procurement policies and projects with regional execution
• Standardize and optimize procurement processes and workflows
• Establish and enhance supplier qualification procedures
• Manage supplier performance and drive continuous improvement
• Ensure KPI achievement and results-driven procurement execution such as total cost-saving, compliance rate, process efficiency, spend under management, and supplier performance management
• Lead and support sourcing and procurement-related projects and drive initiatives to enhance procurement performance and efficiency
• Support and handle day-to-day procurement operations such as tactical sourcing requests
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance procurement and business performance and maintain and strengthen supplier relationships
• Support APAC and global procurement initiatives as required

About you

• Bachelor's degree with 10+ years of relevant experience in sourcing/procurement
• Strong knowledge of supplier qualification systems and vendor performance management
• Proven project management and problem-solving skills
• Business proficiency in English level (spoken and written)
• Proficiency in Thai/Korean/Japanese/Chinese - Mandarin is an advantage
• Experience of Ms. Office Suite particularly Power BI, Excel and PowerPoint, along with database management skills
• Knowledge of e-Procurement system, SAP and GEP-Smart is an advantage
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities
• Proactive and solution-oriented with a can-do mindset
• Willingness to travel (approximately 10%)