Indirect Procurement Category Manager, APAC

Institut Straumann AG; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Institut Straumann AG in Kuala Lumpur seeks a Category Manager for indirect procurement across APAC to develop and execute sourcing strategies for IT, Marketing, Professional Services, Facilities and Travel. You will lead negotiations, drive process improvements, and ensure supplier performance and compliance while collaborating with stakeholders regionally.

Requires 10+ years in sourcing/procurement, strong project management, English proficiency, and knowledge of e-Procurement systems such as

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience in sourcing/procurement.
• Strong knowledge of supplier qualification systems and vendor performance management.
• Proven project management and problem-solving skills.
• Business proficiency in English level (spoken and written).
• Experience of Ms. Office Suite particularly Power BI, Excel and PowerPoint, along with database management skills.
• Knowledge of e-Procurement system, SAP & GEP-Smart is an advantage

Responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing Management: Identify indirect sourcing opportunities and align with regional execution.
• Standardize and optimize procurement processes and workflows.
• Establish and enhance supplier qualification procedures.
• Manage supplier performance and drive continuous improvement.
• Lead sourcing initiatives and related projects to improve procurement performance.
• Support day-to-day procurement operations and collaborate with cross-functional teams.
• Travel up to 10% as required.

Skills

Project management

Problem-solving

Stakeholder management

English proficiency

Negotiation

Education

Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience in sourcing/procurement

Tools

Power BI

Excel

PowerPoint

SAP

GEP-Smart

Database management

Job description

Job Purpose

Based in Kuala Lumpur, this APAC-focused role develops and executes sourcing strategies and procurement operations for indirect categories (e.g., IT, Marketing, Professional Services, Facilities, Travel). The Category Manager ensures cost efficiency, supplier performance, risk management, and compliance while collaborating with stakeholders, leading negotiations, and driving process improvements. Occasional involvement in China-related topics/projects may be required.

Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing Management

• Identify indirect sourcing opportunities.


• Align global & regional procurement policies and projects with regional execution.


• Standardize and optimize procurement processes and workflows.


• Establish and enhance supplier qualification procedures.


• Manage supplier performance and drive continuous improvement.


• Develop and implement sourcing strategies to support business objectives.


• Ensure KPI achievement and results-driven procurement execution such as total cost-saving, compliance rate, process efficiency, spend under management, supplier performance management and other.

Project Management & Initiatives

• Lead and support sourcing and procurement-related projects.


• Drive initiatives to enhance procurement performance and efficiency.


• Manage ad hoc projects as assigned by supervisor.

Operational Procurement

• Support and handle the day-to-day procurement operations such as tactical sourcing requests


• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to enhance procurement and business performance.


• Maintain and strengthen supplier relationships.


• Continuously improve compliance, service quality, and cost efficiency.

Other Responsibilities

Support APAC and global procurement initiatives as required.

Requirements

Education and experience

• Bachelor’s degree with 10+ years of relevant experience in sourcing/procurement.


• Strong knowledge of supplier qualification systems and vendor performance management.


• Proven project management and problem-solving skills.


• Business proficiency in English level (spoken and written).


• Proficiency in Thai/Korean/Japanese/Chinese - Mandarin is an advantage


• Experience of Ms. Office Suite particularly Power BI, Excel and PowerPoint, along with database management skills.


• Knowledge of e-Procurement system, SAP & GEP-Smart is an advantage

Personal Attributes

• Open mind, learning attitude, transparent behavior, positive, ethical, diligent, and professionally responsible.


• Resilient under pressure especially on tight deadlines with strong prioritization skills.


• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management abilities.


• Proactive and solution-oriented with a "can-do" mindset.


• Growth mindset-oriented and continuously seeks improvement.

• Strong influencing skills with the ability to collaborate across functions.


• Willingness to travel (approximately 10%)