Category Specialist

VAT Vakuumventile AG; Batu Kawan; On-site; MYR 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading vacuum technology provider in Penang is seeking a Machining Category Specialist to develop and implement global sourcing strategies. The ideal candidate will have over 8 years of experience in strategic sourcing and strong analytical skills. Responsibilities include managing supplier relationships and optimizing costs, all within a complex global organization. This role offers opportunities for career development in a diverse workplace.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of strategic and operational sourcing experience.
• Experience in global complex organizations.
• Ability to achieve results through others and multitask.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement global sourcing strategies.
• Manage categories and supplier relationships.
• Achieve cost optimization and performance management.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Negotiation

Education

Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain, Procurement, or related discipline

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), with production centers in Switzerland, Malaysia, Romania, and Taiwan.

We are looking for a Machining Category Specialist to join our Direct Material Category Management team to develop and implement global sourcing strategies for VAT’s machining supply base capabilities and readiness in support of the company's growth and expansion.

Reporting to the Head of Category Management, you will work closely with cross-functional stakeholders across the company to achieve key business goals related to quality, delivery, and cost. You must be capable of developing and communicating commodity strategies across the organization to ensure sourcing decisions and supplier selections align with VAT’s technology roadmap and product development, encompassing total commodity ownership, including supplier performance and relationship management.

Your responsibilities include, but are not limited to:

• Executing global sourcing strategies for Machining (e.g., High Precision) and/or Treatment (e.g., Ultra Cleaning / Anodizing) categories.
• Acting as a business partner to key stakeholders in business and operations teams.
• Sustaining the Global Category Management Operating Model and providing supply capability and capacity at the best cost to support future business needs and brand value.
• Managing your categories and functional category team (capacity, knowledge management, performance).
• Applying aligned sourcing processes, sustainable supplier assessments, and development approaches to establish and actively manage a compliant and high-performing supply base, enhancing performance on Quality, Delivery, and Cost (QCD).
• Realizing measurable value >3% in recurring and P&L effective cost reductions annually across global third-party spend in assigned categories, leveraging benchmarked supply base management.
• Growing and developing a qualified, high-performing Best Cost Country Supply Base aligned with company objectives in Asia, managing sustainable spend allocation.
• Accountable for achieving cost optimization, supply base optimization, geographic sourcing footprint, and Best Cost Country Sourcing objectives.
• Providing forward-looking guidance on trends, threats, and opportunities within your category and actively performing supply base risk assessments.
• Contributing to the alignment of the Direct Materials Category Team with company objectives.
• Embracing change, possessing a continuous improvement mindset, and a passion for exceeding expectations.

Minimum qualifications:

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain, Procurement, Engineering, or related discipline.
• At least 8 years of strategic and operational sourcing experience with global category management knowledge.
• Strong analytical skills with a risk-based focus and ability to present results clearly.
• Experience working within a global complex organization.
• Sensible and empathetic communication skills with suppliers and internal stakeholders.
• Self-motivated, effective in team or independent environments.
• Ability to achieve results through others, multitask, prioritize, and handle stress.
• Good English communication skills; German & Chinese are a plus.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in machining category & supplier management for the semiconductor industry.
• Sourcing experience in Asia and in Best Cost Country and spend relocation activities.

VAT is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and offer career and personal development opportunities through various training programs. We are committed to fair pay and received the Fair-ON-Pay+ certificate in 2021 for ensuring equal pay for equal work between men and women.

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