Category Manager - Indirect Procurement

VAT GROUP; Batu Kawan; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

VAT Group, located in Batu Kawan, Malaysia, is seeking a Category Manager for Indirect Procurement to drive cost optimization and supplier performance. The role partners with business stakeholders to lead strategic sourcing, contract management, and procurement transformation while ensuring policy compliance.

The candidate will develop category roadmaps, manage supplier relationships, monitor KPIs, and support governance and risk mitigation across HR, facilities, IT and related services.

Qualifications

• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional stakeholders and influence decision-making.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies for indirect spend (HR services, facilities, IT).
• Lead RFQ/RFP/RFI and strategic sourcing events for assigned categories.
• Negotiate pricing, terms and service agreements with suppliers.
• Manage contract lifecycle from drafting to renewal or termination.
• Monitor supplier performance and drive improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Finance, Quality, IT, HR and Legal to align procurement objectives.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Stakeholder management

Analytical thinking

Procurement knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in supply chain mgmt/Procurement/Business Admin/Engineering/Finance

Tools

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

BE GREAT TOGETHER WITH US.

Location:
Batu Kawan, MY
Employment Type: Permanent

BE GREAT TOGETHER WITH US.

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 centres in Switzerland, Malaysia, Romania and Taiwan.
Category Manager – Indirect Procurementis responsible for developing and executing category strategies to optimise total cost of ownership, supplier performance, quality, service, sustainability, and risk management across assigned indirect spend categories. The role partners closely with business stakeholders to drive strategic sourcing initiatives, contract management, supplier relationship management, and procurement transformation activities while ensuring compliance with corporate procurement policies.
The Category Manager acts as the primary procurement lead for assigned categories and delivers measurable value through cost reduction, operational efficiency, risk mitigation, and supplier innovation.

Your Responsibilities Include, But Not Limited To

Category Strategy & Management

• Support the Indirect Procurement to drive sourcing strategies for categories including HR services, facilities , IT and other services, etc
• Develop and implement category strategies aligned with business objectives and procurement goals.
• Analyse categories spend, market trends, supply risks, and supplier capabilities to identify opportunities.
• Develop multi-year category roadmaps focusing on cost optimization, supplier consolidation, and value creation.
• Conduct category reviews and present sourcing recommendations to senior management.
• Continuously monitor market intelligence, commodity trends, and emerging supplier capabilities.

Strategic Sourcing & Contract Management

• Lead RFQ, RFP, RFI, and strategic sourcing exercises for assigned categories e.g Professional service ( HR & IT) , facilities, MRO as assigned.
• Conduct commercial evaluations and negotiate pricing, contractual terms, and service agreements.
• Prepare sourcing recommendations and business cases for stakeholder approval.
• Manage contract lifecycle including drafting, renewal, extension, and termination.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies and applicable regulations.

Supplier Relationship Management

• Develop and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers.
• Lead regular supplier business reviews and performance evaluations.
• Monitor supplier KPIs including delivery, quality, cost competitiveness, service, sustainability, and innovation.
• Drive supplier improvement initiatives and corrective action plans.
• Support supplier development programs and supplier risk mitigation activities.

Stakeholder Management

• Partner with business functions including Engineering, Operations, Finance, Quality, Facilities, IT, HR, and Legal.
• Understand business requirements and translate them into procurement strategies.
• Provide procurement expertise and guidance throughout sourcing and contracting activities.
• Drive stakeholder engagement and ensure alignment on procurement objectives.
• Act as the procurement focal point for assigned categories.

Cost Optimization & Value Creation

• Identify and execute cost reduction opportunities through strategic sourcing and process improvements.
• Drive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis to support sourcing decisions.
• Track procurement savings, cost avoidance, and value engineering projects.
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities for assigned categories.
• Deliver annual procurement savings targets.

Risk Management & Compliance

• Assess supply market risks and develop mitigation strategies.
• Monitor supplier financial stability, operational capability, and business continuity plans.
• Ensure supplier compliance with company policies, Supplier Code of Conduct, ESG requirements, and regulatory standards.
• Support internal and external audits.
• Maintain procurement documentation and sourcing records.

Procurement Transformation & Continuous Improvement

• Lead procurement process improvement initiatives.
• Drive digital procurement adoption and utilization of procurement systems.
• Support procurement governance and policy deployment.
• Participate in procurement transformation projects and cross-functional initiatives.
• Benchmark procurement practices against industry standards.

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain management, Procurement, Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, or related discipline.
• Minimum 5–7 years of procurement, sourcing, or category management experience.
• At least 5 years of experience managing indirect procurement categories.
• Demonstrated experience leading strategic sourcing and contract negotiations.
• Strong commercial acumen and negotiation skills.
• Proven ability to manage cross-functional stakeholders and influence decision‑making.
• Strong analytical and problem‑solving capabilities.
• Excellent communication and presentation skills.
• Experience in supplier relationship management and performance management.
• Proficient in Excel, Word, PowerPoint

Preferred Qualification

• Professional certifications such as CIPS, CPSM, CPM, or equivalent.
• Experience in manufacturing, semiconductor, engineering, automation, or industrial sectors.
• Knowledge of ESG and sustainable procurement practices.
• Experience using ERP systems such as SAP, Oracle, Microsoft Dynamics 365, or Ariba.
• Advanced spend analysis and procurement analytics experience.
• Experience leading procurement transformation initiatives.
• Strong understanding of legal and commercial contracting principles.
• Knowledge of international sourcing and supplier development.
• Master's degree is a plus
• Experience in vacuum technology semiconductors is an advantage.
• Supplier management experience, especially machining suppliers, Professional services( HR & IT), surface treatment, assemblies , facilities is an added advantage.

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.