Global Category Manager - Mechanical (Strategic Sourcing)

Michael Page International (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd; Penang; On-site; MYR 300,000 - 520,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

13th month salary

Annual flexible benefits allowance

Parking facilities

Medical coverage (employee)

Job summary

Michael Page International (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd is seeking a Global Category Manager for Mechanical to define and execute the global category strategy for mechanical components. You will lead sourcing across Asia with emphasis on SEA and China, coordinating with Engineering and Quality teams to optimize costs and value.

The role requires 4–8+ years in strategic sourcing, a strong mechanical understanding, and English fluency with Mandarin proficiency.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 4–8+ years of experience in global procurement, category management or strategic sourcing with strong exposure to mechanical components and assemblies.
• Excellent communication in English; mandarin proficiency is mandatory; able to operate in a global matrix organisation.

Responsibilities

• Define, implement and execute the global category strategy for mechanical components and assemblies in line with quality goals.
• Lead sourcing and supplier strategy across Asia, focusing on Southeast Asia and China.
• Manage RFQ/RFI/RFP processes with Engineering and Quality teams.
• Drive cost optimization through should-cost modelling and value-based negotiations.
• Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships for competitiveness and resilience.
• Collaborate with R&D, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain and Finance on NPI/NPD and manufacturability inputs.
• Support supplier readiness and risk mitigation for future manufacturing scale-up in Malaysia.

Skills

Global procurement

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Should-cost analysis

Value-based negotiation

Supplier management

Cross-functional collaboration

English fluency

Mandarin proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor's degree in Manufacturing Engineering

Job description

Global Category Manager - Mechanical (Strategic Sourcing)

This role is responsible for defining and executing the global category strategy for mechanical components, combining deep technical understanding with strategic sourcing to drive cost, value, and supply resilience across APAC. It offers strong regional and global exposure, working closely with R&D, manufacturing, and suppliers while supporting long‑term career growth in the Klang Valley.

Client Details

A well‑established multinational organisation operating within a technical and regulated industrial environment, with a strong global presence across Asia‑Pacific, Europe, and the Americas. The business supports customers in research‑driven, quality‑critical, and precision‑dependent settings, where reliability, compliance, and consistency are essential.

Description

• Define, implement, and execute the global category strategy for mechanical components and assemblies, aligned with business, quality.
• Lead sourcing and supplier strategy across Asia, with particular focus on Southeast Asia and China.
• Manage RFQ/RFI/RFP processes for mechanical parts and assemblies in close collaboration with Engineering and Quality teams.
• Drive cost optimisation through should‑cost modelling, cost breakdown analysis, and fact‑based negotiations.
• Develop and maintain strategic supplier relationships to ensure competitiveness, resilience, and technical capability.
• Partner with R&D, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance on NPI/NPD projects, manufacturability assessments, and cost input.
• Support supplier readiness and risk mitigation in preparation for future manufacturing scale‑up in Malaysia.

Profile

A successful Global Category Manager - Mechanics should have:

• A Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related technical discipline.
• 4-8+ years of experience in global procurement, category management, or strategic sourcing, with strong exposure to mechanical components and assemblies.
• Solid technical understanding of mechanical manufacturing processes such as machining, sheet metal fabrication, casting, forging, and surface treatment.
• Proven experience with should‑cost analysis, cost breakdowns, and value‑based negotiation.
• Experience working with suppliers in Southeast Asia and China.
• Ability to operate independently in a global, matrix organisation as a senior individual contributor.
• Excellent communication skills in English; Mandarin proficiency (spoken, read, written) is mandatory.
• Hands‑on, analytical, and commercially minded, with strong ownership and accountability.

Job Offer

• Competitive Salary package
• 13 Months Salary Package (Fixed Bonus)
• Annual Flexible Benefits Allowance.
• Fully claimable parking.
• Outpatient medical coverage (employee).
• Comprehensive medical coverage, and hospitalisation benefits.
• Group insurance coverage, including life and personal protection.
• Exposure to global stakeholders and strategic procurement initiatives.
• Permanent position offering stability and career growth opportunities.

If you are a technically strong procurement professional who enjoys combining engineering insight with strategic sourcing at global scale, this is an excellent opportunity to take on a visible and impactful role within an international organisation!