(Senior) Category Purchasing Executive Electrical/Electromechanical

AIXTRON SE; Penang; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

AIXTRON Malaysia Sdn. Bhd. is building a state-of-the-art manufacturing and engineering hub in Batu Kawan, Penang. We seek hands-on professionals to establish structures, improve processes and take ownership in a fast-moving environment, connected to a global team of ~1,000 employees.

You will drive strategic sourcing, supplier management, and risk & compliance, collaborating with Engineering, Production, Quality and SCM to ensure long-term supply security and competitive costs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical, Supply Chain, or related disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategies for global commodity groups, aligning with Engineering, Quality and Operations.
• Manage full sourcing process including supplier identification, RFQs, evaluation and contract awards.

Skills

Negotiation skills

Supplier management

Cross-functional collaboration

Reading engineering drawings

Communication skills

Time/priority management

English proficiency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business Administration/Engineering

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

SAP

Job description

Line Manager: Senior Manager Category Purchasing

Feste Anstellung, unbefristet

AIXTRON

AIXTRON is a technology and innovation-driven market leader in deposition equipment (MOCVD) for third-generation semiconductor materials such as GaN, SiC and GaAs—critical enablers for energy efficiency, data communications and AI infrastructure. Headquartered in Herzogenrath, Germany, we hold the #1 market position in each of the markets we serve and build some of the industry’s most sophisticated high-tech systems. What sets us apart is how we combine deep technology focus, customer orientation and speed of innovation with strong team spirit, agility and a collaborative company culture. Learn more at www.aixtron.com.

AIXTRON’s new manufacturing & engineering hub in Malaysia

We are building a new greenfield manufacturing and engineering hub in Batu Kawan, Penang. The site will provide a state-of-the-art cleanroom environment for assembly & test of our high-end systems and will contribute to engineering the next generation of products. Operations are planned to start in 2027 with rapid ramp-up. Beyond technology, the new location is designed as a modern workplace with state-of-the art office and amenities — built to foster collaboration and a strong focus on people’s wellbeing.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for purpose-driven builders: hands-on professionals with entrepreneurial spirit who enjoy setting up structures, improving processes and taking ownership in a fast-moving environment. As pioneers of our Malaysia site, you will help to shape not only your function, but also how we work together locally — while being connected to a global team of around 1,000 employees from ~60 nationalities across Asia, Europe and the US. We offer competitive benefits, outstanding technical expertise, development opportunities and training.

Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Planning

• Develop & execute strategies for assigned global commodity groups, aligning with Engineering, Quality and Operations to achieve sustainable cost efficiency, supplier performance and long-term supply security; implement category strategies of lead buyers in Germany within your region.
• Conduct global market analyses to identify sourcing opportunities, supplier innovations and cost optimization potential, and translate findings into sourcing strategies.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives and contribute to value engineering activities in collaboration with technical and operational teams.

Strategic Sourcing

• Manage the full sourcing process including supplier identification, RFQs, evaluation, selection and contract award, ensuring alignment with technical and commercial requirements.
• Lead commercial and contractual negotiations with international suppliers, ensuring competitive total cost of ownership (TCO), high quality standards and reliable delivery performance.
• Support supplier development, localization and transfer initiatives, ensuring smooth implementation and long-term supplier performance.

Supplier Management

• Build, develop and optimize the supplier base to support current and future business needs, ensuring scalability, resilience and competitiveness.
• Drive supplier performance management by monitoring quality, delivery and cost KPIs, conducting regular performance reviews and initiating improvement measures.
• Support and participate in supplier audits and ensure compliance with quality, regulatory and company standards.

Risk & Compliance Management

• Proactively identify supply risks related to capacity, lead times or quality, and implement mitigation actions to ensure continuity of supply.
• Ensure all sourcing and procurement activities comply with company policies, ethical standards and legal requirements.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date procurement data in SAP and support reporting and transparency across the organization.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Collaborate closely with cross-functional stakeholders (Engineering, Production, Quality, SCM) to align specifications, demand forecasts and sourcing strategies.

Qualifications And Skills Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical, Supply Chain, or related disciplines.
• At least 5 years of professional experience, thereof 3 years of hands‑on experience in strategic category management for electrical or electromechanical categories in manufacturing companies.
• Familiarity with semiconductor supply chain is preferred.
• Ability to read and interpret basic engineering drawings.
• Familiar with contract law, incoterms, import/export regulations.
• Interact confidently with suppliers with good communication and negotiation skills
• Practical skills to handle multiple tasks/projects with time/priority planning.
• Good proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint and ERP system, SAP is preferred.
• Fluent in English; Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin proficiency is a plus.

Working Conditions & Environment

• Role based at AIXTRON Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.
• Majority of the work is at Batu Kawan site.
• Visits to supplier locations will be requested as needed.
• Occasional travel, to Headquarters in Germany or other regional sites.