Country Proc Manager - China Commercial

MY01 (FCRS = MY001) Novartis Corporation (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. (197101000541); Selangor; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Novartis Corporation (Malaysia) Sdn. Bhd. is seeking a Country Procurement Manager to lead procurement strategy execution and stakeholder engagement across business areas in Malaysia.

You will drive cost optimization, supplier management, and compliance while overseeing end-to-end procurement operations. The role requires Mandarin fluency and 3–5 years in procurement or category management within multinational settings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; preferred fields include Business, HR, Organizational Development.
• Fluency in Mandarin (spoken) required to support regional/global stakeholder and supplier interactions.
• 3–5 years of procurement or category management experience in a multinational or complex organization.
• Strong experience in procurement/category management with exposure to commercial categories preferred.
• Proven track record of delivering cost optimization, sourcing execution, and measurable savings.
• Demonstrated success in supplier negotiations, contracting, and ongoing supplier relationship management.
• Ability to engage and influence senior stakeholders across functions.
• Experience leading or supporting transformation initiatives and managing change.

Responsibilities

• Deliver procurement strategy execution aligned with global priorities and business goals.
• Drive cost efficiency, productivity improvements, and payment term enhancements.
• Ensure procurement compliance with high standards of PO and contract processes.
• Lead end-to-end procurement operations across the lifecycle.
• Manage stakeholder relationships and act as a trusted advisor.
• Develop and manage key supplier relationships to drive value and cost-effectiveness.
• Execute supplier strategy locally including contract execution and onboarding.
• Promote effective communication across procurement functions and stakeholders.

Skills

Mandarin proficiency

Stakeholder management

Change management

Supplier negotiation

Cost optimization

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

The Country Procurement Manager is responsible for leading or supporting one or more Procurement categories and/or serving as the key procurement contact to one or more business areas (e.g. division(s), franchise(s), corporate function(s)). The role is accountable for implementing the global Procurement strategic goals on country level for the area of responsibility and successfully managing relevant KPIs in regards to productivity, compliance metrics, processes, customer satisfaction and (if applicable) people development. Implement Master vendor concepts to deliver value and reduce procurement touch. The role is also accountable for successfully managing and developing relationships with stakeholders in their area of responsibility, and with key suppliers on in their area of responsibility to increase value for Novartis. The Country Procurement Manager manages effective communication in between Procurement functions and stakeholders/suppliers.

Job Description Major Accountabilities

• Deliver Procurement Strategy Execution: Implement country/cluster procurement strategies aligned with global priorities and business goals.
• Drive Cost Efficiency & Productivity: Own and deliver cost savings, productivity improvements, and payment term enhancements within the scope.
• Ensure Procurement Compliance: Maintain high standards of PO compliance, contract compliance, and adherence to procurement processes and systems.
• Lead End-to-End Procurement Operations: Oversee the full procurement lifecycle, ensuring seamless execution, policy adherence, and integration with capability centers.
• Manage Stakeholder Relationships: Build strong partnerships with business stakeholders, act as a trusted advisor, and align procurement initiatives to business needs.
• Enable Strategic Supplier Management: Develop and manage key supplier relationships to drive value, innovation, and cost-effectiveness.
• Execute Supplier Strategy Locally: Implement global/regional supplier strategies, including contract execution, supplier onboarding, and tail spend management.
• Drive Communication & Collaboration: Ensure effective communication across procurement functions (operations, category teams, compliance) and promote alignment.

Minimum Requirements

• Educational Qualification: Bachelor's degree required; preferred in Business, Human Resources, Organizational Development, or related field.
• Language Proficiency: Fluency in Mandarin (spoken) is required to support regional/global stakeholder and supplier interactions.
• Procurement Experience: 3-5 years of experience in procurement or category management within a multinational or complex organization.
• Category Expertise (Commercial Preferred): Strong experience in procurement/category management, with preference for exposure to commercial categories.
• Cost Optimization & Sourcing Delivery: Proven track record of delivering cost optimization, sourcing execution, and measurable savings.
• Supplier Negotiation & Management Skills: Demonstrated success in supplier negotiations, contracting, and ongoing supplier relationship management.
• Stakeholder Management & Influence: Ability to effectively engage and influence senior stakeholders across functions.
• Change Management Capability: Experience leading or supporting transformation initiatives and managing change in dynamic environments.

Why Novartis

Helping people with disease and their families takes more than innovative science. It takes a community of smart, passionate people like you. Collaborating, supporting and inspiring each other. Combining to achieve breakthroughs that change patients' lives. Ready to create a brighter future together? https://www.novartis.com/about/strategy/people-and-culture

Skills Desired

• Mandarin Chinese Language, Procurement

Improving the lives of people living with disease takes more than innovative science. It takes a focus on the needs of people and a community committed to meeting them. It takes a team of people like you. Working together. Learning together. Thriving together. Discover how you can join us in changing people’s lives.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion: Novartis is committed to building an outstanding, inclusive work environment and diverse teams' representative of the patients and communities we serve.