Purchasing Assistant Manager

About the role

We are seeking an experienced, commercially driven, and detail-oriented Assistant Manager – Purchasing to support and manage the Company's procurement activities. The successful candidate will be responsible for strategic sourcing, supplier negotiation, cost optimisation, purchase planning, supplier performance management, and ensuring the timely availability of raw materials, packaging materials, consumables, spare parts, and services required for smooth manufacturing operations. This role requires strong negotiation and analytical skills, good market awareness, and the ability to work closely with Production, Planning, Warehouse, Finance, Quality, Engineering, and other departments to ensure competitive purchasing costs, appropriate inventory levels, and uninterrupted supply.

Key responsibilities

• Plan and manage purchasing activities according to production requirements and inventory levels
• Source and evaluate local and overseas suppliers for raw materials, chemicals, packaging materials, spare parts, equipment, and services
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, delivery schedules, lead times, and other commercial terms
• Conduct quotation comparisons, cost analysis, and supplier benchmarking
• Monitor raw-material, commodity, currency, and market price trends to support purchasing decisions
• Identify cost-saving opportunities without compromising quality or supply reliability
• Develop and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers
• Monitor supplier performance in terms of price, quality, delivery, service, and reliability
• Supervise and guide the Purchasing team in daily purchasing activities
• Ensure purchasing activities comply with Company policies, ISO procedures, and applicable requirements

About you

• Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Logistics, or related field
• Minimum 5 years of purchasing/procurement experience, preferably in manufacturing, with at least 2 years in a supervisory or managerial role
• Strong negotiation, sourcing, supplier management, and cost-control skills
• Good analytical skills and ability to understand market and material price trends
• Experience dealing with local and overseas suppliers
• Proficient in Microsoft Office and familiar with ERP/purchasing systems
• Knowledge of ISO 13485, ISO 14001, and social-compliance requirements is an added advantage
• Strong organisational, problem-solving, and leadership skills
• Good command of English and Bahasa Malaysia
• Experience in the medical device, rubber glove, chemical, or manufacturing industry will be an added advantage