Assistant Director, Procurement

NTUC First Campus Co-operative Ltd; Singapore; On-site; SGD 140,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

NTUC First Campus Co-operative Ltd is seeking a Procurement Leader to drive strategic sourcing and governance across multiple childcare centres and new initiatives. You will lead a high-performing team, standardise processes, and steer supplier relationships to optimise cost, quality, and risk.

The role demands extensive experience in procurement leadership, strong negotiation skills, and the ability to collaborate with operations and business units to deliver measurable value.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management or related field is required.
• 8–12+ years in progressive procurement or supply chain roles with leadership experience preferred.
• Experience with ERP and contract governance frameworks is essential.

Responsibilities

• Lead and mentor the procurement team across childcare centres and new business initiatives.
• Develop and execute procurement strategies to drive cost efficiency and quality.
• Standardise procurement processes for consistency and compliance.
• Lead long‑term sourcing and supplier strategies to optimise cost and risk.
• Oversee supplier selection, onboarding, and performance management.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and service levels with vendors.
• Maintain central contract repository and ensure audit trails for approvals.

Skills

Negotiation

Contract management

Strategic thinking

Analytical skills

Stakeholder management

Leadership

Procurement governance

ERP systems

Cost reduction

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or Supply Chain Management

Tools

ERP systems

Google Suite

Microsoft Office

Job description

Procurement Leadership

• Manage and lead the Procurement Team in the following:
• Develop and execute procurement strategies to support multiple childcare centres and new business initiatives.
• Standardise procurement processes to improve cost efficiency, quality, and operational consistency.
• Lead long‑term sourcing and supplier strategies to optimise cost, quality, and risk.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, cost savings, and value creation.

Sourcing and Vendor Management

• Perform sourcing and tender exercises (e.g., ITQs/RFQs) to ensure transparency, competitiveness, and value for money.
• Oversee supplier selection, evaluation, onboarding, and ongoing relationship management.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, commercial terms, and service‑level agreements.
• Monitor supplier performance and ensure compliance with contractual, regulatory, and operational requirements.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate supplier‑related risks.

Contract Management and Oversight

• Develop, implement, and enforce the Contract Management Policy, including management of contract templates, approval workflows, and delegated authority guidelines.
• Introduce new workflow/(s) to centralise all contract vetting and ensure sufficient audit trail for every business case or contracts to be approved.
• Work with internal stakeholders to review and assess contract terms, risk exposure, insurance requirements, and compliance obligations.
• Maintain a centralised contract repository and proactively track contract renewals, amendments, and key milestones.
• Ensure contract terms are consistently applied and reflected in procurement activities.

Process and Policy Governance

• Develop, implement, and enforce procurement and contract management policies, procedures, and governance frameworks.
• Establish standardised processes for sourcing, contracting, approvals, and vendor management to ensure consistency and compliance.
• Monitor adherence to policies through audits, reporting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Provide guidance and training to stakeholders on procurement and contract governance processes.

Cross‑Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Operations and Business Units to align procurement strategies and policies with organisational needs.
• Provide guidance to centre leadership and staff on approved vendors, contract terms, and purchasing policies.
• Support cross‑functional initiatives and strategic projects.

Team Leadership and Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop the procurement team.
• Set performance goals, conduct evaluations, and support professional development.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.

Financial and Risk Management

• Analyse spend data to identify cost saving and value‑creation opportunities.
• Manage procurement‑related financial controls and budget adherence.
• Assess and mitigate supply chain risks and ensure continuity of critical services and supplies.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management or related field

Experience

• 8-12+ years of progressive procurement or supply chain experience
• 5+ years in a leadership or management role

Skills and Attributes

• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.
• Strategic thinking with strong analytical capabilities.
• Proven experience in supplier management and cost reduction.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Strong understanding of procurement governance, policies, and compliance requirements.
• Proficiency with ERP and procurement systems.
• Contract Law, Microsoft Office applications, Google Suite applications.