Senior Category Manager

Novonesis; Kuala Lumpur; Hybrid; MYR 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Novonesis is seeking a Senior Category Manager focused on centralized IT procurement, software, hardware, and compute-related sourcing. You will lead end-to-end procurement initiatives, manage supplier relationships, and deliver measurable savings while aligning with ESG and risk goals.

You will collaborate across Operations, Supply Chain, Legal, Finance, and R&D, driving category strategy and governance in a hybrid Kuala Lumpur setting. Some travel is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, Economics, or related discipline.
• Four to six years of experience in procurement, category management, supply chain, project management, or related function.
• Hands-on experience procuring software and hardware from major technology suppliers.
• Ability to independently execute full sourcing processes, negotiations, and contracting.
• Strong supplier management, contract management, project management, data analysis, and commercial decision-making skills.
• Fluent English, written and spoken, with strong stakeholder management and multicultural communication skills.
• Proficiency with procurement systems, including e-procurement, tendering, contract-management platforms, and digital tools.

Responsibilities

• Provide input to category strategies and develop procurement plans aligned with business objectives.
• Lead end-to-end procurement projects, including category analysis, supplier selection, sourcing events, negotiations, contracting, implementation, and benefit realization.
• Partner with global IT organizations and collaborate with Operations, Supply Chain, Legal, Marketing and Sales, Finance, Sustainability, Quality, and R&D.
• Build and maintain a robust sourcing pipeline, forecast savings, monitor category spend, and provide market intelligence and cost-driver analysis.
• Own category performance across KPIs, savings targets, budgets, supplier performance, and risk mitigation.
• Drive supplier engagement, contract negotiations, issue resolution, onboarding, and rollout while contributing to global procurement priorities.

Skills

Supplier management

Contract management

Project management

Data analysis

Commercial decision-making

Fluent English

Stakeholder management

Multicultural communication

Education

Bachelor's or Master’s degree in Procurement/Supply Chain/Business

Tools

e-procurement

Tendering

Contract-management platforms

Job description

Interested in a career that matters?

Are you ready to shape procurement decisions that support business performance, responsible sourcing, and long-term value? Join our Global Procurement organization, which works across regions to source direct and indirect materials, services, packaging, logistics, and other business‑critical solutions.

In this global role, you will focus primarily on IT procurement while supporting other categories as priorities evolve. You will collaborate across functions and regions to help make procurement a competitive advantage for Novonesis.

The role & your impact

As Senior Category Manager, you will operate mainly in the tactical space, with opportunities to contribute across operational and strategic priorities. Your primary category will be centralized IT, including software, functional platforms, hardware, and compute‑related procurement, while you may also represent Procurement across additional categories in your location.

You will lead sourcing initiatives end to end, build strong stakeholder and supplier relationships, and deliver measurable value across savings, performance, sustainability, and risk.

Your key responsibilities in this role

• Provide input to category strategies and develop procurement plans aligned with business and procurement objectives.
• Lead end-to-end procurement projects, including category analysis, supplier selection, sourcing events, negotiations, contracting, implementation, and benefit realization.
• Partner with business stakeholders, especially global IT organizations, and collaborate with colleagues across Operations, Supply Chain, Legal, Marketing and Sales, Finance, Sustainability, Quality, and R&D.
• Build and maintain a robust sourcing pipeline, forecast savings, monitor category spend, and provide market intelligence, cost‑driver analysis, and financial insights.
• Own category performance across KPIs, savings targets, decarbonization and ESG commitments, budgets, supplier performance, and risk mitigation.
• Drive supplier engagement, contract negotiations, issue resolution, onboarding, and rollout while contributing to global procurement priorities and capability building.

What you’ll need to be successful in this role

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, Economics, or a related discipline.
• Four to six years of experience in procurement, category management, supply chain, project management, or a related business function.
• Hands‑on experience procuring software and hardware, including work with major technology suppliers.
• Ability to independently execute full sourcing processes, negotiations, and contracting.
• Demonstrated capability in supplier management, contract management, project management, data analysis, and commercial decision‑making.
• Fluent English, both written and spoken, with strong stakeholder management and multicultural communication skills.
• Proficiency with procurement systems, including e‑procurement, tendering, contract‑management platforms, and digital tools.

Additional skills & interests we value

• An agile mindset and interest in technology, with flexibility to support categories beyond IT when priorities change.
• Strong teamwork, accountability, resilience, and the ability to navigate complexity while maintaining trusted relationships.
• Curiosity about improving procurement practices, strengthening knowledge sharing, and supporting colleagues’ development.

What we offer you

You will join a global, cross‑regional procurement community and work with a broad network of business partners and suppliers. The position offers exposure to global sourcing initiatives, category strategy, stakeholder advisory work, sustainability priorities, and procurement capability building.

Working conditions

• Hybrid working model with an office‑first approach in Kuala Lumpur.
• Some travel is expected.

Our purpose guides the way

In Novonesis, we know that solutions rooted in biology can help solve humanity’s biggest challenges. Since we began more than a century ago, this has been our guide. It’s how we’ve gotten so far. And it’s how we’ll impact the future. Now, more than ever, the world needs change. And with biosolutions, the possibilities for transformation are endless.

Opportunities for everyone

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process and equal opportunity for all applicants. Therefore we ask you to apply without a cover letter or photo and instead include a few sentences in your CV explaining your motivation for applying.

We make all employment decisions based on business needs and welcome candidates with a wide range of backgrounds, including ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, or veteran status.

Explore other openings