Asia Category Manager

Manulife/John Hancock; Hong Kong; Hybrid; HKD 900,000 - 1,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Manulife/John Hancock in Hong Kong is seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead Asia Procurement for Real Estate & Facility Management, developing category strategies, managing vendor relationships, and driving cost savings.

This role requires strong analytical skills, stakeholder management, and the ability to coordinate cross‑functional teams across Asia in a hybrid working arrangement, with a focus on compliant procurement and continuous process improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's level education in procurement, supply chain, business, or a related field.
• A professional certification such as CIPS/CPSM is advantageous.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category & sourcing strategies for Facility Management categories in Asia, along with other Professional Services categories.
• Manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and ensure compliance with company policies and standards.
• Monitor and govern IFM vendors to realize negotiated benefits on labour and third-party spend.
• Lead end-to-end spend management and ensure proper procurement processes are followed to achieve total savings.
• Develop reporting capabilities with vendor account managers, Asia CRE, and Finance to report accrued savings.
• Conduct market analysis and benchmarking to identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to align procurement strategies with business needs.
• Lead cross-functional teams to drive procurement initiatives and achieve business objectives.

Skills

Analytical skills

Cost savings

Stakeholder management

Negotiation

Contract management

Leadership

Cross-functional teamwork

English communication

Asian language skills

Education

Procurement/Supply Chain/Business degree

CIPS/CPSM certification advantageous

Job description

We are seeking a highly skilled and experienced Category Manager to join our Asia Procurement team, focusing primarily on Real Estate & Facility Management developing and implementing category strategies, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring the efficient procurement of facility management services. The role will also support selected initiatives under Technology Professional Services (TPS) category. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong analytical skills and the ability to drive cost savings and operational efficiencies. Experience leading and coaching Local country procurement teams in a matrix organization will be a plus.

Position Responsibilities:

Develop and execute category & sourcing strategies for Facility Management categories in Asia, along with other Professional Services categories Manage vendor relationships, negotiate contracts, and ensure compliance with company policies and standards IFM – Integrated Facility Management Monitoring and governing IFM vendor to realize negotiated benefits on labour and third-party spend Managing third-party vendor spend and ensuring that proper procurement processes are followed to achieve total savings negotiated across all relevant contracts Ensuring all data is accurately documented, reported, and aligned with Manulife's savings methodology Transaction Management Monitoring negotiation performance form preferred vendor on our new lease negotiations to ensure expected savings on the total new lease spend are realized Developing necessary reporting capability with the vendor account manager, Asia CRE, and Finance to help report accrued savings not yet captured Conduct market analysis and benchmarking to identify opportunities for cost savings and process improvements Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand their needs and ensure alignment with procurement strategies and business needs Lead cross-functional teams to drive procurement initiatives and achieve business objectives Stay updated on industry trends and best practices to continuously improve procurement processes.

Required Qualifications:

University graduate in Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related field. Relevant advanced degree or professional certification such as CIPS/CPSM would be of advantage. Over 10 years of experience in managing end-to-end sourcing, and spend negotiations of Indirect categories, in large multinational company, financial service industry experiences is preferred Experiences on working in a regional team and collaborating with local country teams Strong stakeholder management and communication skills. Ability to present and influence top level internal and external parties. Strong negotiation and contract management skills Self-motivated team player, who has energy and drive, is also able to motivate and get the best out of a multi-functional team and matrix organization. Proven track record of driving cost savings and operational efficiencies Excellent English verbal and written communication skills. Asian language skills would be an advantage.

When you join our team:

We’ll empower you to learn and grow the career you want. We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words. As part of our global team, we’ll support you in shaping the future you want to see.

About Manulife and John Hancock

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping people make their decisions easier and lives better.

Manulife is an Equal Opportunity Employer At Manulife/John Hancock, we embrace our diversity. We strive to attract, develop and retain a workforce that is as diverse as the customers we serve and to foster an inclusive work environment that embraces the strength of cultures and individuals. We are committed to fair recruitment, retention advancement and compensation, and we administer all of our practices and programs without discrimination on the basis of race, ancestry, place of origin, colour, ethnic origin, citizenship, religion or religious beliefs, creed, sex (including pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions), sexual orientation, genetic characteristics, veteran status, gender identity, gender expression, age, marital status, family status, disability, or any other ground protected by applicable law. It is our priority to remove barriers to provide equal access to employment. A Human Resources representative will work with applicants who request a reasonable accommodation during the application process. All information shared during the accommodation request process will be stored and used in a manner that is consistent with applicable laws and Manulife/John Hancock policies.

Working Arrangement Hybrid

We’re Manulife. And we’re on a mission to make decisions easier and lives better. Better is what drives us. It’s what inspires us to find new ways to support customers and colleagues in living longer and healthier lives. It’s the reason we’re dedicated to investing in digital innovation and industry-leading AI, and accelerating a sustainable and economically inclusive future. Joining us means you’ll be empowered to learn and grow your career. We’ll recognize and support you in a flexible environment where well-being and inclusion are more than just words. And as part of our global team, you’ll help shape the future you want to see – and discover that better can take you anywhere you want to go.

We’re proud of our accomplishments and recognition. Recent awards include: 2026 Gallup Exceptional Workplace Award Winner Manulife Named one of Forbes World’s Best Employers 2025 Financial Times World’s Best Employers Asia-Pacific 2026 We’ve been recognized as one of Canada’s Top 100 Employers 2026 #1 Life Insurer for AI Maturity by Evident 2026

Our ambition is to be the number one choice for customers. Learn more at https://www.manulife.com/.