Assistant Purchasing Manager

Hong Poh Engineering Construction Sdn Bhd; Penang; On-site; MYR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Hong Poh Engineering Construction Sdn Bhd in Penang is seeking an experienced and hands-on Assistant Purchasing Manager to strengthen our Purchasing function and drive operational efficiency. This role will review and improve purchasing processes, establish SOPs, strengthen controls, and develop the Purchasing team into a proactive and value-added business support function.

Key responsibilities include end-to-end purchasing, supplier evaluation, commercial negotiations, and collaboration with

Qualifications

• Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, Engineering or a related discipline.
• Solid experience in purchasing/procurement, preferably within construction/engineering/M&E/C&S, or project-based environments.
• Hands-on experience in supplier sourcing, commercial negotiation, quotation evaluation and procurement management.
• Experience in reviewing/developing/implementing purchasing SOPs, workflows and process improvements is highly preferred.
• Demonstrated ability to lead, coach or guide purchasing team members.
• Strong commercial awareness, analytical ability and negotiation skills.
• Able to translate operational issues into practical process improvements.
• Good stakeholder-management and communication skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee end-to-end purchasing activities including sourcing, RFQ, quotation evaluation, negotiation, PO issuance and delivery follow-up.
• Source, evaluate and develop suppliers based on cost, quality, reliability, lead time and project requirements.
• Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers to achieve competitive pricing and favorable terms.
• Review quotation comparisons and purchasing recommendations for major purchases.
• Collaborate with Project, Engineering, Site and other departments to ensure timely procurement.
• Monitor outstanding POs, delivery performance, and procurement issues impacting schedules.
• Develop alternative sources of supply to reduce procurement risk and improve competitiveness.
• Review and improve purchasing workflows, practices and controls to close gaps and bottlenecks.
• Develop, establish, review and continuously improve Purchasing policies, SOPs and control mechanisms.
• Lead, guide and coach existing Purchasing team members in daily responsibilities and professional development.

Skills

Procurement experience

Supplier sourcing

Negotiation

Process improvement

Team leadership

Stakeholder management

Excel

Communication

Analytical thinking

Commercial awareness

Education

Diploma/Bachelor in Supply Chain/Procurement/BA/Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Excel

Job description

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Hong Poh Engineering Construction Sdn Bhd – Penang

We are seeking an experienced and hands-on Assistant Purchasing Manager to strengthen our Purchasing function and drive greater operational efficiency. Beyond managing day-to-day procurement activities, this role will be responsible for reviewing and improving purchasing processes, establishing and enhancing relevant SOPs, strengthening procurement controls, and developing the existing Purchasing team into a more proactive and value-added business support function.

Key responsibilities

Manage and oversee end-to-end purchasing activities, including sourcing, RFQ, quotation evaluation, negotiation, purchase order issuance and delivery follow-up.

Source, evaluate and develop suppliers based on cost competitiveness, quality, reliability, lead time and project requirements.

Lead commercial negotiations with suppliers to achieve competitive pricing, favourable terms and reliable delivery.

Review quotation comparisons and purchasing recommendations for major or critical purchases.

Work closely with Project, Engineering, Site and other departments to understand requirements and ensure timely procurement.

Monitor outstanding purchase orders, delivery performance and procurement issues that may affect project schedules.

Develop alternative sources of supply to reduce procurement risk and improve competitiveness.

Review existing purchasing workflows, practices and controls to identify operational gaps, bottlenecks and improvement opportunities.

Develop, establish, review and continuously improve Purchasing policies, SOPs, workflows and control mechanisms.

Lead, guide and coach existing Purchasing team members in their daily responsibilities and professional development.

Requirements

Diploma or Bachelor's Degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, Engineering or a related discipline.

Solid experience in purchasing/procurement, preferably within the construction, engineering, M&E, C&S, piping or project-based environment.

Hands-on experience in supplier sourcing, commercial negotiation, quotation evaluation and procurement management.

Experience in reviewing, developing or implementing purchasing SOPs, workflows and process improvements is highly preferred.

Demonstrated ability to lead, coach or guide purchasing team members.

Strong commercial awareness, analytical ability and negotiation skills.

Able to identify operational issues and translate them into practical process improvements.

Good stakeholder-management and communication skills.

Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly Excel.

Candidates currently holding a Senior Purchasing Executive or equivalent position with strong leadership potential and relevant experience are encouraged to apply.