Category Manager

JD.COM; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

JD Industrials, a subsidiary of JD.com, seeks a Category Manager to lead strategic category planning, supplier management, and inventory optimization to boost fulfillment rates and profitability in our APAC footprint.

You will build robust supplier networks, negotiate contracts, analyze market trends, and collaborate with internal teams to drive cost efficiency and product availability in a fast‑moving industrial procurement environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Logistics, or related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in supply chain planning, category management, or procurement.
• Strong expertise in supplier sourcing, contract negotiation, and cost optimization strategies.
• Proven ability to analyze market data and develop competitive pricing models.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills with a proactive approach to operational challenges.
• Strong communication and negotiation abilities to foster supplier and stakeholder relationships.

Responsibilities

• Identify, recruit, and manage key suppliers within the affiliated country to enhance sourcing capabilities.
• Establish long-term supplier partnerships, ensuring quality, reliability, and cost competitiveness.
• Conduct regular performance assessments and implement supplier development or elimination strategies as needed.
• Analyze market trends and pricing dynamics to ensure cost-optimized procurement strategies.
• Drive initiatives to enhance price competitiveness while maintaining product quality and service levels.
• Collaborate with internal teams to streamline procurement processes and enhance operational efficiency.
• Develop and implement category-specific supply chain strategies to maximize product availability and fulfillment rates.
• Drive the optimization of sourcing channels to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Monitor supply chain performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement solutions for continuous improvement.
• Develop and execute stocking plans based on customer demand patterns and market conditions.
• Optimize inventory turnover rates while minimizing stock shortages and excess inventory.
• Leverage data analytics to forecast demand and refine stocking strategies for improved profitability.

Skills

Supplier sourcing

Contract negotiation

Cost optimization

Data analytics

Problem solving

Communication

English

Mandarin

Education

Bachelor’s degree in SCM

Job description

JD Industrials, a subsidiary of JD.com (a Fortune 500 company), is a global leader in supply chain solutions known for its innovative, technology-driven approach. We are in the business of revolutionizing the industrial sector through total supply chain management with cutting edge technology and services. With businesses that spans across APAC, EMEA and Latin America, we aim to be the leading one-stop procurement solutions for industrials products.

About The Role

The Category Manager is responsible for strategic category planning, supplier management, and inventory optimization to enhance product fulfillment rates and profitability. This role involves building and managing a robust supply chain, maintaining supplier relationships, ensuring competitive pricing, and improving overall operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify, recruit, and manage key suppliers within the affiliated country to enhance sourcing capabilities.
• Establish long-term supplier partnerships, ensuring quality, reliability, and cost competitiveness.
• Conduct regular performance assessments and implement supplier development or elimination strategies as needed.
• Analyze market trends and pricing dynamics to ensure cost-optimized procurement strategies.
• Drive initiatives to enhance price competitiveness while maintaining product quality and service levels.
• Collaborate with internal teams to streamline procurement processes and enhance operational efficiency.
• Develop and implement category-specific supply chain strategies to maximize product availability and fulfillment rates.
• Drive the optimization of sourcing channels to improve efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
• Monitor supply chain performance, identify bottlenecks, and implement solutions for continuous improvement.

Inventory Planning & Stocking Optimization

• Develop and execute stocking plans based on customer demand patterns and market conditions.
• Optimize inventory turnover rates while minimizing stock shortages and excess inventory.
• Leverage data analytics to forecast demand and refine stocking strategies for improved profitability.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Logistics, or a related field.
• At least 5 years of experience in supply chain planning, category management, or procurement.
• Strong expertise in supplier sourcing, contract negotiation, and cost optimization strategies.
• Proven ability to analyze market data and develop competitive pricing models.
• Excellent problem-solving and decision-making skills with a proactive approach to operational challenges.
• Strong communication and negotiation abilities to foster supplier and stakeholder relationships.
• Proficiency in English and Mandarin is preferred for effective supplier engagement.