Assistant Purchasing Manager

VAT Vakuumventile AG; Batu Kawan; On-site; MYR 70,000 - 90,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading international supplier of vacuum technology in Penang, Malaysia, is seeking an Assistant Purchasing Manager. This role involves managing supplier relationships, developing procurement strategies, and ensuring compliance. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree and 5-7 years of experience in Purchasing or Supply Chain. Strong communication and problem-solving skills are essential, along with proficiency in English and the local language. The company offers diverse career development opportunities.

Benefits

Career development opportunities

Diversity and inclusion programs

Training programs

Qualifications

• 5-7 years of experience in Purchasing/Supply Chain.
• Strong command of English and the local language; proficiency in German is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Manage supplier performance and address supply risks.
• Provide coaching to procurement staff.
• Develop procurement strategies in collaboration with category management.
• Manage and optimize stock levels.
• Maintain accuracy of master data.

Skills

Supplier management

Communication skills

Negotiation skills

Analytical skills

Problem-solving abilities

Education

Bachelor's degree in a relevant field

Job description

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Innovation, Efficiency and Ambition: this is what VAT has stood for over 50 years.

With this passion, VAT has grown to become the leading international developer, manufacturer and supplier of high-performance high-end vacuum valves and vacuum sealing technology, employing over 2000 people worldwide. The headquarters are located in Haag (Switzerland), the production centers in Switzerland, Malaysia, Romania and Taiwan.

The Assistant Purchasing Manager is responsible for close monitoring and running supply chain operations to ensure supply continuity, cost efficiency, and supplier performance. The role oversees supplier forecasting, contract management, and inventory optimization while maintaining high data accuracy and collaborating closely with suppliers, category teams, and key stakeholders. A key focus will be driving Supplier On-Time Delivery and drive supply materials to support overall business and customer needs.

Your responsibilities

• Supplier Management: Build and maintain strong supplier relationships, manage supplier performance, and address supply risks, gaps, and escalations.
• Team Leadership & Compliance: Provide coaching and mentoring to procurement staff, and ensure purchase order reviews and procurement activities comply with company policies and procedures.
• Procurement Strategy & Contracts: Develop and implement procurement strategies, partner with category management on supplier frame contracts, and ensure timely updates aligned with forecast changes.
• Inventory & Data Management: Manage and optimize stock levels, establish reorder points for BOM parts, and maintain high integrity in master data (lead times, reorder points, stock types).
• Bachelor’s degree with 5-7 years of experience in Purchasing/ Supply Chain

Preferred Qualification

• Strong command of English and the local language; proficiency in German is an advantage.
• Excellent communication, interpersonal, and negotiation skills with a results- and customer-oriented mindset.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making abilities.
• Proven ability to work independently as well as collaboratively in cross-functional teams.
• Demonstrated project management and stakeholder management skills, with experience leading global initiatives.
• Active contributor to process improvements and cross-divisional procurement projects.
• Ability to learn, adapt and grow in the organization.

VAT is an equal opportunity employer. We see ourselves as a responsible and far-sighted employer that offers not only jobs, but also career and personal development opportunities through various training programs. We recognize the value of employee diversity and provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified application that contributes to innovation, improves customer orientation and employee satisfaction. One-step in this direction is to ensure that people are recognized and fairly compensated for their contributions to the company. In 2021, VAT received the Fair-ON-Pay+ certificate as an acknowledgement for our commitment in ensuring equal pay for equal work between men and women.