Manager Procurement _ Malaysia _ Engineering

1st Executive Ltd; Malaysia; On-site; MYR 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading global player in industrial infrastructure is seeking a Procurement Manager for their Malaysia operations. This high-impact role involves establishing the procurement function from the ground up, leading negotiations, and embedding best practices to drive commercial value. Ideal candidates will possess a strong background in complex procurement environments and a track record of achieving savings.

Qualifications

• Proven track record in procurement in complex industrial environments.
• Experience delivering savings and managing diverse spend portfolios.
• Ability to influence and mentor junior team members.

Responsibilities

• Set up and lead the procurement function in Malaysia.
• Lead supplier negotiations and strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Manage and develop a local Procurement Specialist.

Skills

Negotiation

Stakeholder Engagement

Value Creation

Education

Engineering degree

Business-related degree

Job description

Manager Procurement _ Malaysia _ Engineering

Join a leading global player in the industrial infrastructure sector as they build a new procurement function within their long-established Malaysian operations. This is a rare opportunity to shape and lead procurement locally from the ground up.

This is a high-impact role for a hands-on and commercially minded Procurement Manager to establish and embed procurement within an existing Malaysian entity. You'll be instrumental in integrating procurement into ongoing operations, driving commercial value, and aligning key internal stakeholders who have historically managed their own sourcing.

As the first senior procurement hire in Malaysia, you'll also lead and develop a Procurement Specialist (to be hired alongside you), building a local capability that supports both day-to-day purchasing and long-term strategic sourcing.

Key Responsibilities

• Set up and lead the procurement function in Malaysia, embedding best practices aligned with global policies.
• Collaborate with engineering, operations, and project teams to consolidate spend and implement structured sourcing.
• Lead supplier negotiations, contract development, and strategic sourcing initiatives to deliver cost savings and value creation.
• Influence and support stakeholders across the business to adopt procurement processes and recognise the benefits of centralised purchasing.
• Manage and develop the Procurement Specialist to handle operational buying and support strategic initiatives.
• Work closely with the global procurement team to ensure alignment with company-wide goals and supply chain strategies.

About You

• Proven track record in procurement within a complex, technical, or industrial environment (e.g. energy, heavy manufacturing, infrastructure).
• Confident negotiator with experience delivering savings and value across a diverse spend portfolio.
• Strong influencing skills and the ability to engage engineers, technical teams, and leadership to embed procurement best practices.
• Experience managing or mentoring junior team members is an advantage.
• Engineering, technical or business-related degree preferred.

Senior Consultant - Procurement & Supply Chain