Position overview

Responsibilities

• Oversee indirect procurement in Malaysia, focusing on packaging and logistics categories, sourcing materials such as steel drums, pallets, PE bags, IBCs, and logistics goods and services.
• Provide commercial analysis and data for regional ocean tenders and collaborate with the Regional Indirect Manager to support strategic sourcing decisions.
• Regularly conduct research on route development trends, freight rate fluctuations, and market competition. Update internal and external stakeholders on ocean shipping market conditions and adjust strategies accordingly.
• Manage indirect spend in Malaysia, ensuring reliable supply at the lowest total cost of ownership (TCO). Coordinate with toll traders on tail-end raw materials and develop strong partnerships with key suppliers to ensure performance meets agreed-upon KPIs and continuous improvement plans.
• Work closely with other departments to support initiatives aimed at improving efficiency, productivity, and profitability. Present findings and recommendations to management, ensuring alignment with company goals.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for key indirect goods and services in the region, ensuring compliance with the purchasing process, including RFIs/RFQs and bidding summaries. Seek synergies across functions and regions.
• Optimize TCO by managing cost-saving initiatives and operating working capital (OWC) reduction programs, ensuring that Malaysia’s cost reduction targets are met.
• Provide clear and consistent reporting on cost development and procurement performance to stakeholders.

Required skills and experience

• At least 5 years of relevant experience in strategic purchasing and sourcing, ideally within an international and manufacturing environment.
• Experience in a shipping company or large international freight forwarder, with familiarity in overseas route management, route quotations, and the logistics tendering process.
• Proven experience with organizational improvement processes in purchasing and supply chain.
• Solid understanding of industrial/chemical indirect spend, supplier markets within the region, and current market trends and developments.
• Strong negotiation skills and a target-driven mindset.
• Quick decision-making abilities with the flexibility to adapt and prioritize tasks effectively.
• Strategic thinker with the ability to analyze options and risks objectively.
• Excellent analytical, influencing, and conflict resolution skills.
• Proactive, self-motivated, and a strong team player
• Proficient in SAP (preferred), Microsoft Office, and other relevant software tools.
• Fluent in English (additional languages are a plus)

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Economics, Business Administration, Engineering, or equivalent

We offer