Procurement Category Sourcing Lead (Assistant Manager)| BGC, Taguig

SteelAsia Manufacturing Corporation; Philippines; On-site; PHP 1,000,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

SteelAsia Manufacturing Corporation is seeking a Category Sourcing Lead to develop and execute category strategies, manage sourcing events, and drive value across plant and function spend. You will partner with Operations, Engineering, Finance and QA to align requirements, optimize costs, and reduce risk through multi-year roadmaps and disciplined supplier management.

The ideal candidate has 5–8 years in procurement, strong negotiation skills, and a track record of delivering savings in

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• 5–8 years of progressive procurement or category management experience.
• Strong background in strategic sourcing, supplier strategy, complex negotiations and contract structuring.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies and 1–3 year action plans.
• Build and manage the sourcing pipeline, renewal plans and negotiation strategies.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing events including RFQ/RFP, bidder evaluation, negotiations and awards.
• Coordinate with Operations, Engineering, Finance and QA to align requirements and timelines.
• Deliver sustainable cost savings, standardization, and total cost improvements.
• Negotiate commercial terms, service levels, and risk provisions for contracts.

Skills

Procurement leadership

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

RFx processes

Excel & ERP sourcing

Education

Engineering degree

Tools

Excel

ERP systems

Job description

About the role

The Category Sourcing Lead is responsible for developing and executing category strategies, sourcing activities, supplier relationships, and commercial value delivery across assigned spend portfolios within SteelAsia's plants and functions. The role serves as a trusted business partner to all stakeholders, developing multi-year sourcing roadmaps, leading negotiations, contract lifecycle management, and uses spend analysis, market intelligence, and commercial evaluation to optimize cost, reduce risk, improve supplier performance, and deliver sustainable savings and service improvement.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies and 1- to 3-year action plans for assigned spend areas.
• Build, manage, and prioritize the sourcing pipeline, contract renewal plans, negotiation strategies, value delivery actions and implementation initiatives.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing events including RFQ and RFP preparation, bidder evaluation, commercial negotiations, award recommendations, and handover for execution.
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, Engineering, Projects, Finance, QA, and other stakeholders to align business requirements, specifications, timelines, and priorities.
• Deliver sustainable savings, cost avoidance, standardization, and total cost improvements across assigned categories.
• Lead the development and negotiation of commercial terms, service levels, key risk provisions, and implementation plans for contracts and sourcing awards.
• Develop supplier strategies, segmentation frameworks, and alternative-source roadmaps to reduce supply risk, improve competitiveness, and build stronger long-term partnerships.
• Own key supplier relationships and drive performance management, issue resolution, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Monitor supply market trends, cost drivers, supplier developments, and category risks, and provide timely updates, insights, and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Lead, coach and develop Category Sourcing Officers, and maintain strong sourcing discipline, process compliance, and quality of output across the team.

About you:

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or a related field
• 5 to 8 years of progressive procurement or category management experience, including demonstrated team coordination or leadership responsibility
• Strong background in strategic sourcing, supplier strategy, complex negotiations, and contract structuring in industrial or project-driven environments.
• Professional procurement certification such as CIPS, CPSM, CSCP, or equivalent is strongly preferred
• Relevant training in negotiation, contract management, or supply-chain risk management is beneficial.
• Six Sigma, Lean, or equivalent process improvement certification is an advantage.
• Experience in manufacturing industries such as steel, chemicals, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, construction, or in other project-driven environments, is preferred.
• Hands-on experience with RFx methods, supplier evaluation frameworks, should-cost / Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis, Excel and ERP-based sourcing workflows.
• Previous experience managing or mentoring junior procurement staff is required.
• Strong written and verbal English, presentation skills, and ability to work with senior stakeholders are important.