Assistant Sourcing Manager

PT. Blue Ocean Labs; Batam; On-site; IDR 120,000,000 - 240,000,000; Full time

Job summary

PT. Blue Ocean Labs in Batam, Indonesia, seeks a dedicated procurement specialist to source chemicals, aroma chemicals, and flavor extracts for the flavor lab. You will manage local and regional suppliers, ensure on-time delivery, and uphold quality and regulatory standards.

The role involves coordinating with HQ Sourcing and the flavor team to optimize cost, availability, and supplier performance, while maintaining documentation and compliance for import and labeling requirements.

Qualifications

• Minimum 3 years of work experience in sourcing or procurement of chemicals, flavor and fragrance raw materials, or food or tobacco ingredients.
• Experience with supplier evaluation, COA/SDS review, and safety documentation.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills in Bahasa Indonesia and English.

Responsibilities

• Source all chemicals, aroma chemicals, essential oils, spice extracts and other raw materials from local Indonesian and regional Asian suppliers.
• Maintain knowledge of flavor chemicals and locally sourced materials used in tobacco and food-grade applications.
• Identify, qualify and onboard new suppliers; obtain COA and SDS and maintain approved supplier list.
• Negotiate prices, MOQs, lead times and payment terms to optimize quality, cost and delivery.
• Raise and track purchase orders, coordinate with logistics, customs and lab warehouse for imports into Batam and local deliveries.
• Ensure materials meet food-grade and tobacco-grade requirements and comply with Indonesian regulations and company policies.

Skills

Communication skills

Negotiation

Sourcing knowledge

Procurement discipline

Attention to detail

Education

Diploma or degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, Supply Chain Management or a related field

Job description

The incumbent is a local Indonesian hire based at the BOL Flavor Lab in Batam, reporting to the Head of Flavor with a dotted-line relationship to the Sourcing Manager at HQ. The role is responsible for sourcing all chemicals and raw materials used by the flavorists in the lab, ensuring they are available on time, to specification and at the right cost, in compliance with applicable regulations.

Success in the role means flavorists always have the materials they need; a reliable, qualified supplier base across Indonesia and Asia for tobacco-grade and food-grade materials; and a well-documented, compliant supply chain, including spices and botanical extracts such as clove extract used in tobacco flavors. The incumbent is an individual contributor and the main link between the flavor lab, local suppliers and HQ Sourcing.

Responsibilities and Duties

• Source all chemicals, aroma chemicals, essential oils, spice extracts and other raw materials requested by the flavorists for use in the BOL Flavor Lab, from local Indonesian and regional Asian suppliers.
• Maintain working knowledge of the nature, grades and typical sources of flavor chemicals across Asia, and of locally sourced materials used in tobacco and food-grade applications.
• Build and maintain expertise in spices and botanical extracts used in tobacco flavors, such as clove extract and clove oil, including origin, seasonality, grade variation and price drivers.
• Receive and clarify material requests from flavorists, and propose alternative suppliers or equivalent materials when lead time, price or availability is an issue.
• Identify, evaluate and qualify new suppliers; obtain and review samples, specifications, certificates of analysis (COA) and safety data sheets (SDS); and maintain the approved supplier list.
• Negotiate prices, minimum order quantities, lead times and payment terms with suppliers to achieve the best balance of quality, cost and delivery.
• Raise and track purchase orders, follow up on deliveries, and coordinate with logistics, customs and the lab warehouse on imports into Batam and local deliveries
• Ensure materials meet food-grade and tobacco-grade requirements and applicable Indonesian regulatory and company requirements, including import permits, hazardous-chemical handling and labeling, and keep supplier documentation current.
• Monitor supply risk, price movements and stock levels of critical and long-lead materials, and agree safety stock and alternative sources with the Head of Flavor.
• Maintain accurate sourcing records, price lists and supplier data for the lab.
• Coordinate with the HQ Sourcing Manager on sourcing strategy, supplier alignment, group pricing and regional supplier leads; share local market intelligence; and report supplier performance and spend regularly.
• Work closely with the Head of Flavor, flavorists and R&D to identify gaps and opportunities, support new-material trials and cost-saving efforts, and support component selection.
• Uphold and observe corporate governance and compliance to promote awareness and transparency in all supplier dealings, including anti-bribery, corruption and fraud requirements.
• Any other ad-hoc projects assigned by the Head of Flavor.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Diploma or degree in Chemistry, Chemical Engineering, Food Science, Supply Chain Management or a related field.
• At least 3 years of work experience in sourcing or procurement of chemicals, flavor and fragrance raw materials, or food or tobacco ingredients.
• Preferably working experience in the flavor and fragrance, tobacco, food ingredient or chemical industries, with exposure to Indonesian and Asian supplier markets.
• Meticulous, systematic, organized, proactive, good understanding of sourcing dynamics and sound business judgement
• Experience sourcing spices, botanical extracts (for example clove extract) and tobacco-related raw materials is a plus.

Specific Requirements

• Able to work independently in a fast-paced environment and meet tight lab deadlines.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills in both Bahasa Indonesia and English.
• Working knowledge of chemical safety, import and regulatory documentation (COA, SDS, specifications) and hazardous-chemical handling requirements in Indonesia.
• Strong networking skills with local Indonesian and regional Asian chemical, spice and extract suppliers, and the ability to meet deadlines and targets.
• Good teamwork skills, working across the flavor lab, warehouse, logistics and HQ Sourcing.
• Innovative thinker who provides speedy solutions.
• Challenge status-quo whatever is necessary.