Electronics Category Manager, APAC

Smiths Group; Penang; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

Smiths Group in Penang is seeking a Regional Category Manager – Electronics (APAC) to lead regional sourcing for electronic components and direct materials across APAC, including semiconductors, PCB/PCBA, connectors, and EMS. You will onboard suppliers, manage SRM strategies, and align sourcing with business objectives across engineering, operations, and planning teams.

The role emphasizes delivering cost, quality, and delivery improvements, negotiating terms, and reducing lead times through

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute regional sourcing and category strategies for electronic components and direct materials across APAC
• Lead sourcing activities across categories including semiconductors, PCB/PCBA, connectors, passive components, electromechanical parts, EMS, and related electronics commodities
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and onboard suppliers to support business growth and supply chain resilience
• Build and execute supplier relationship management (SRM) strategies across key suppliers and manufacturing partners
• Partner closely with Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Planning teams to align sourcing strategies with business objectives
• Drive supplier selection and award decisions based on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), quality, delivery performance, risk, and working capital considerations
• Lead negotiations covering pricing, commercial agreements, capacity commitments, and supplier performance improvements
• Deliver lead‑time reduction initiatives and improve speed‑to‑market through proactive supplier engagement and cross‑functional collaboration
• Execute low‑cost country sourcing strategies to improve competitiveness and support regional manufacturing requirements
• Lead supplier segmentation, panel management, and performance reviews
• Monitor market trends, supply risks, component availability, and industry developments impacting the electronics supply chain
• Ensure compliance with sourcing governance, procurement policies, and strategic frameworks
• Balance strategic category planning with hands‑on sourcing execution and supplier engagement

Job description

Job Opportunity

Regional Category Manager – Electronics (APAC)

Based remotely in Penang and surrounding areas, this role will require occasional travel to the Johor office for stakeholder meetings, collaboration, and business needs. This is an exciting opportunity to lead sourcing strategy across the APAC region, driving category excellence, supplier partnerships, and improvements in Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), lead times, and speed to market.

An exciting opportunity for an experienced sourcing professional with deep expertise in electronic components, semiconductors, EMS (Electronics Manufacturing Services), PCBAs, PCBs, connectors, and related direct materials categories. This role offers the chance to drive category excellence, strengthen strategic supplier partnerships, and deliver improvements in Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), lead times, supply continuity, and speed to market.

A highly visible role that combines strategic sourcing leadership with hands‑on execution, working closely with global leadership, manufacturing facilities, and regional stakeholders in a matrixed environment.

What you will be doing

• Develop and execute regional sourcing and category strategies for electronic components and direct materials across APAC
• Lead sourcing activities across categories including semiconductors, PCB/PCBA, connectors, passive components, electromechanical parts, EMS, and related electronics commodities
• Identify, evaluate, qualify, and onboard suppliers to support business growth and supply chain resilience
• Build and execute supplier relationship management (SRM) strategies across key suppliers and manufacturing partners
• Partner closely with Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, and Planning teams to align sourcing strategies with business objectives
• Drive supplier selection and award decisions based on Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), quality, delivery performance, risk, and working capital considerations
• Lead negotiations covering pricing, commercial agreements, capacity commitments, and supplier performance improvements
• Deliver lead‑time reduction initiatives and improve speed‑to‑market through proactive supplier engagement and cross‑functional collaboration
• Execute low‑cost country sourcing strategies to improve competitiveness and support regional manufacturing requirements
• Lead supplier segmentation, panel management, and performance reviews
• Monitor market trends, supply risks, component availability, and industry developments impacting the electronics supply chain
• Ensure compliance with sourcing governance, procurement policies, and strategic frameworks
• Balance strategic category planning with hands‑on sourcing execution and supplier engagement

What you’ll bring

• Proven experience in direct sourcing, procurement, category management, or strategic sourcing within the electronics industry
• Strong sourcing experience across one or more of the following categories:
  • Electronic components
  • Semiconductors
  • EMS (Electronics Manufacturing Services)
  • PCB/PCBA
  • Connectors
  • Electromechanical components
  • Passive components
• Demonstrated success managing regional APAC suppliers and sourcing activities
• Strong understanding of electronics supply chains, supplier landscapes, and manufacturing environments
• Experience negotiating commercial agreements and delivering measurable cost, quality, and delivery improvements
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to influence and drive outcomes across a matrixed organisation
• High level of ownership with the ability to operate both strategically and tactically
• Strong communication skills and cultural awareness when working across APAC markets
• Experience supporting supplier development, supplier performance management, and supply chain risk mitigation initiatives

Nice to have

• Bachelor's or Master's Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Procurement, Business, or a related discipline
• APICS and/or MCIPS certification (or working towards)Experience in global manufacturing or matrix organisationsExposure to Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) frameworksExperience leading low‑cost country sourcing, supplier consolidation, and TCO optimisation initiativesStrong understanding of semiconductor and electronic component market dynamics across Asia‑Pacific regions

  Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.

  Join us and work for a world‑leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

  We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics.

  At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Detection, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website.