Sourcing Manager

Hyred; Kuala Lumpur; On-site; MYR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Hyred in Malaysia is seeking an experienced Sourcing & Product Development Manager to lead a sourcing function that turns briefs and product ideas into competitive, manufacturable solutions. The role combines sourcing, product development, supplier management, costing and leadership to improve quality, speed, and commercial competitiveness across Asian supplier networks.

Previous team leadership and strong English are essential; Mandarin is advantageous for direct supplier communication and

Qualifications

• Degree or diploma in a related field.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant sourcing/product development experience.
• Previous team-leadership experience is essential.
• Strong knowledge of Asian manufacturing and supplier markets, especially China.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with factories and suppliers.
• Strong commercial negotiation and costing capability.
• Good understanding of materials, manufacturing processes and product feasibility.

Responsibilities

• Develop sourcing strategies for new product opportunities and client requirements.
• Lead supplier negotiations on pricing and terms.
• Coordinate concept briefs into manufacturable products.
• Manage sampling, prototyping and supplier performance reviews.
• Assess production feasibility and lead times early in development stages.
• Lead and coach the sourcing team across multiple briefs.

Skills

Leadership

Negotiation

Communication

English proficiency

Education

Degree or diploma in Supply Chain, Merchandising, Buying, Business, Product Design, Fashion, Retail or related

Job description

We are looking for an experienced Sourcing & Product Development Manager to lead a sourcing function responsible for turning commercial briefs and product ideas into competitive, manufacturable solutions.

This is not purely a procurement role. The successful candidate will combine sourcing, product development, supplier management, costing and team leadership to improve product quality, speed, commercial competitiveness and supplier capability.

Key Responsibilities

Commercial Sourcing & Costing

• Develop sourcing strategies for new product opportunities, pitches and client requirements.
• Translate budgets, quantities, timelines and product requirements into viable sourcing solutions.
• Lead supplier negotiations on pricing, commercial terms and manufacturing options.
• Challenge supplier quotations and identify opportunities to improve cost through materials, construction, production methods or supplier strategy.
• Develop costing benchmarks and improve visibility of expected manufacturing costs.
• Review major sourcing proposals and identify opportunities to strengthen commercial competitiveness.
• Work with internal teams to convert concepts and briefs into manufacturable products.
• Advise on materials, construction methods, production processes, finishing, printing, packaging and tooling.
• Identify new products, materials, manufacturing technologies and supplier capabilities.
• Develop alternative product solutions where appropriate to improve cost, quality or overall value.
• Assess manufacturing feasibility early in the product-development process.
• Stay informed on emerging consumer, product and manufacturing trends.

Sampling & Prototyping

• Lead prototype and sample development across priority projects.
• Maintain strong sample-quality standards before products are presented externally.
• Ensure samples accurately represent what can be commercially mass-produced.
• Challenge weak execution and work with suppliers to improve construction, materials or finishing.
• Drive faster sampling turnaround while maintaining quality and feasibility.
• Build and maintain a strong supplier and factory network across relevant manufacturing markets.
• Identify and evaluate new factories, suppliers and manufacturing capabilities.
• Develop direct supplier relationships where commercially appropriate.
• Maintain alternative supplier options to improve competitiveness and reduce dependency.
• Evaluate suppliers across cost, quality, innovation, speed, reliability and sampling capability.
• Conduct supplier performance reviews and maintain structured supplier information.

Feasibility & Handover

• Assess production feasibility, lead times and delivery risks during the sourcing stage.
• Consider sampling, approvals, tooling, production, quality control, packaging and logistics when developing solutions.
• Flag risks early where timelines or requirements may affect final delivery.
• Ensure awarded projects are handed over with clear specifications, approved samples, suppliers, costs, lead times and known production risks.
• Maintain transparent and traceable supplier-selection and quotation processes.
• Ensure supplier information, commercial terms and sourcing decisions are properly documented.
• Support strong standards around supplier ethics, conflicts of interest and procurement governance.
• Lead, coach and develop the sourcing team.
• Manage priorities and workload across multiple concurrent briefs.
• Improve team capability across negotiation, product knowledge, costing and supplier management.
• Build shared category expertise and reduce dependency on individual supplier knowledge.
• Promote accountability, commercial thinking and continuous improvement.

Requirements

• Degree or diploma in Supply Chain, Merchandising, Buying, Business, Product Design, Fashion, Retail or a related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of relevant experience across sourcing, merchandising, buying, product development or related functions.
• Previous team-leadership experience is essential.
• Strong knowledge of Asian manufacturing and supplier markets, particularly China.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with factories and suppliers.
• Strong commercial negotiation and costing capability.
• Good understanding of materials, manufacturing processes and product feasibility.
• Strong product sense and ability to evaluate quality and execution.
• Confident working across multiple product categories and unfamiliar product briefs.
• Strong communication and presentation skills.
• Able to travel to supplier markets when required.
• Strong English required; Mandarin would be highly advantageous for direct supplier communication and negotiation.