Assistant Sourcing Manager

Cohu Malaysia; Malacca City; On-site; MYR 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Cohu Malaysia is seeking a sourcing professional with experience in OEM supplier management, cost negotiation, RFQ, contract renewal, and supply continuity.

This role will focus on managing supplier performance, supporting cost savings, resolving supply issues, monitoring risks, and working closely with internal teams to ensure smooth supply chain operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field.
• Minimum 5-8 years of experience in OEM sourcing, commodity/category management, or strategic procurement.
• Strong commercial acumen with advanced negotiation skills.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and OEM supply models.
• Analytical mindset with ability to translate data into strategic insights.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Oracle, Ariba) and data tools (Power BI).
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Mandarin language proficiency is required for China-based stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement OEM commodity strategies aligned with business, engineering, and operational requirements.
• Establish strategic sourcing plans to optimise total cost of ownership (TCO), quality and delivery performance.
• Identify and execute cost reduction initiatives including supplier consolidation, value engineering, and localisation opportunities.
• Drive long-term supply competitiveness and resilience.
• Identify, qualify and manage OEM suppliers based on commercial, technical, operational, and risk criteria.
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key OEM suppliers to enhance collaboration and innovation.
• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor market trends, supplier capabilities, and competitive landscape to anticipate risks and opportunities.
• Lead commercial negotiations to secure competitive pricing, favourable terms, and risk-balanced agreements.
• Analyse total cost structures and identify opportunities for cost optimisation and value enhancement.
• Track commodity price movements and develop mitigation strategies for cost volatility.
• Lead sourcing initiatives including dual sourcing, alternative materials, and supply chain optimisation programmes.
• Assess supplier financial health and operational risks.
• Develop and execute risk mitigation strategies covering supply continuity, geopolitical risks, and market volatility.
• Ensure supply chain agility, flexibility, and continuity in support of business requirements.
• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Project teams to align sourcing strategies with product and business needs.
• Support new product introduction (NPI), localisation and supplier transfer initiatives.
• Drive alignment between global and regional sourcing strategies where applicable.
• Lead, coach and develop a team of commodity specialists or sourcing professionals.
• Set performance targets, monitor progress and foster a high-performance culture.
• Promote continuous improvement, accountability, and talent development.

Skills

Negotiation

Commercial acumen

Analytical mindset

Stakeholder management

Mandarin

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field

Tools

SAP

Oracle

Ariba

Power BI

Job description

At Cohu Malaysia, we are committed to driving innovation and excellence in the semiconductor industry. Our mission is to create a dynamic and inclusive work environment where every team member feels a sense of belonging and has the opportunity to make a meaningful impact. By joining us, you will be part of a collaborative and forward-thinking workforce dedicated to shaping the future of technology.

Unleash your Potential

We are seeking for a sourcing professional with experience in OEM supplier management, cost negotiation, RFQ, contract renewal, and supply continuity.

This role will focus on managing supplier performance, supporting cost savings, resolving supply issues, monitoring risks, and working closely with internal teams to ensure smooth supply chain operations.

Impact You Will Make:

Commodity Strategy & Sourcing Excellence

• Develop and implement OEM commodity strategies aligned with business, engineering, and operational requirements
• Establish strategic sourcing plans to optimise total cost of ownership (TCO), quality and delivery performance
• Identify and execute cost reduction initiatives including supplier consolidation, value engineering, and localisation opportunities
• Drive long-term supply competitiveness and resilience
• Identify, qualify and manage OEM suppliers based on commercial, technical, operational, and risk criteria
• Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key OEM suppliers to enhance collaboration and innovation
• Conduct regular supplier performance reviews and drive continuous improvement initiatives
• Monitor market trends, supplier capabilities, and competitive landscape to anticipate risks and opportunities

Cost & Value Management

• Lead commercial negotiations to secure competitive pricing, favourable terms, and risk-balanced agreements
• Analyse total cost structures and identify opportunities for cost optimisation and value enhancement
• Track commodity price movements and develop mitigation strategies for cost volatility
• Lead sourcing initiatives including dual sourcing, alternative materials, and supply chain optimisation programmes

Risk Management & Supply Assurance

• Assess supplier financial health and operational risks
• Develop and execute risk mitigation strategies covering supply continuity, geopolitical risks, and market volatility
• Ensure supply chain agility, flexibility, and continuity in support of business requirements.

Cross-functional Collaboration

• Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Project teams to align sourcing strategies with product and business needs
• Support new product introduction (NPI), localisation and supplier transfer initiatives
• Drive alignment between global and regional sourcing strategies where applicable
• Lead, coach and develop a team of commodity specialists or sourcing professionals
• Set performance targets, monitor progress and foster a high-performance culture
• Promote continuous improvement, accountability, and talent development.

Desired Behaviors::

• Strategic thinking and decision-making
• Influencing and stakeholder alignment at all organisational levels
• Strong communication and negotiation capability
• Relationship building and partnership development
• Continuous improvement mindset and ability to challenge status quo
• Adaptability in a fast-paced and dynamic environment

Our Ideal Candidate:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field
• Experience: Minimum 5-8 years of experience in OEM sourcing, commodity/category management, or strategic procurement. Proven track record in supplier management, cost negotiation, and contract management
• Skills/Technical Requirements:
• Strong commercial acumen with advanced negotiation skills
• Solid understanding of manufacturing processes and OEM supply models
• Analytical mindset with ability to translate data into strategic insights
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (e.g. SAP, Oracle, Ariba) and data tools (e.g. Power BI)
• Excellent stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration skills.
• Mandarin language proficiency is required as the role involves regular communication with China-based stakeholders.