Assistant Manager / Manager, Purchasing

Private Advertiser; George Town; On-site; MYR 90,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Private Advertiser in Malaysia (Penang) is seeking an experienced procurement professional to develop and implement strategies that drive cost efficiency and supply continuity. The role requires leading sourcing initiatives, supplier benchmarking, and market analysis to identify savings opportunities and improve procurement effectiveness.

The ideal candidate will have 5+ years in purchasing, sourcing and procurement within FMCG food manufacturing, plus strong negotiation and analytical skills.

Qualifications

• 5+ years in purchasing, sourcing and procurement.
• Experience in FMCG food manufacturing.
• Team leadership of 5+ employees.
• Strong analytical, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient in MS Office and ERP systems.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement procurement strategies to achieve cost efficiency and supply continuity.
• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier benchmarking and market analysis.
• Analyse purchasing data and spend patterns to drive continuous improvement.
• Oversee PO processing, approvals and timely fulfilment.
• Coordinate product specs with QA, R&D and suppliers; manage CPAR and credits.
• Monitor supplier delivery performance and coordinate with planning and logistics.
• Collaborate with Operations, Finance and other stakeholders to support business objectives.
• Prepare procurement reports and lead team performance reviews and development.

Skills

Negotiation

Supplier management

Analytical skills

Cost optimization

Stakeholder collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in SCM / related field

Tools

Oracle ERP

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Develop and implement procurement strategies to achieve cost efficiency, operational excellence, and uninterrupted supply.

Lead strategic sourcing initiatives, supplier benchmarking, and market analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities and improve procurement effectiveness.

Analyse purchasing data, market trends, and spend patterns to drive continuous improvement and support business decisions.

Support annual procurement planning, budgeting, and cost reduction initiatives.

Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop suppliers based on quality, cost, delivery, service, and overall business capability.

Build and maintain strategic relationships with suppliers to ensure long-term partnerships and supply continuity.

Lead negotiations on pricing, contracts, payment terms, and commercial agreements to secure the best value for the company.

Monitor supplier performance through regular evaluations and implement improvement plans where necessary.

Manage vendor registration, supplier documentation, and compliance requirements.

3. Procurement Governance & Compliance

Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, regulatory requirements, and internal governance standards.

Coordinate supplier audits with QA and relevant departments to ensure supplier quality and compliance.

Manage procurement risks and support business continuity through effective supplier management.

Participate in internal audits, Gemba Walks, and continuous improvement initiatives.

4. Purchase Order & Procurement Operations

Oversee the timely and accurate processing of Purchase Orders (POs) upon approval of Purchase Requisitions (PRFs).

Review, approve, amend, and monitor purchase orders to ensure procurement accuracy and timely fulfilment.

Monitor outstanding purchase orders and ensure timely closure of completed transactions.

5. Product Specification & Quality Coordination

Ensure purchased materials comply with approved specifications and quality requirements.

Coordinate with QA, R&D, and suppliers on product specifications, sample evaluations, quality issues, and corrective actions.

Manage supplier corrective and preventive action (CPAR), product rejections, replacement arrangements, and credit note issuance.

6. Delivery & Supply Chain Coordination

Monitor supplier delivery performance to ensure materials are delivered according to agreed lead times.

Coordinate with Planning, Production, Warehouse, Logistics, and suppliers to ensure uninterrupted material supply.

Arrange alternative logistics solutions when required to minimise operational disruptions.

Ensure OEM and trading products are delivered according to customer and business requirements.

7. Cross-Functional Collaboration

Partner closely with Operations, Planning, Production, QA, R&D, Finance, Logistics, and other stakeholders to support business objectives.

Provide procurement expertise, material costing, and sourcing support for new product development and operational requirements.

Support cross-functional initiatives to improve procurement efficiency and supply chain performance.

8. Documentation & Reporting

Ensure accurate maintenance of procurement records, supplier agreements, contracts, purchase orders, and procurement documentation.

Oversee invoice verification and coordinate with the Finance Department to ensure timely payment processing.

Prepare and present procurement reports, including supplier performance, procurement KPIs, spend analysis, cost savings, and procurement performance for Management review.

Lead, coach, and develop the Purchasing team to achieve departmental objectives and enhance professional competencies.

Allocate work, monitor team performance, and support employee development through coaching and performance management.

Drive procurement process improvements, digitalisation initiatives, ERP enhancements, and operational excellence projects.

Foster a culture of continuous improvement, accountability, and collaboration within the Purchasing function.

Job Requirements -

Mandatory : Relevant purchasing and procurement experience in the Food Manufacturing (FMCG) industry.

Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Commerce, Economics, or a related field.

Minimum 5 years of relevant experience in purchasing, sourcing, and procurement.

Minimum experience in directly managing a team of 5 or more employees is required.

Strong analytical, cost optimization, negotiation, and problem-solving skills with the ability to make sound business decisions.

Independent, resourceful, and able to thrive in a fast-paced environment.

Proficient in Microsoft Office and ERP systems (Oracle experience is an advantage).