Director Strategic Procurement – Direct Material

ARISTOS SEARCH LLP; Singapore; On-site; SGD 180,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

ARISTOS SEARCH LLP seeks a Director for Direct Material Category to lead strategic and operational management of assigned categories, driving supplier performance, cost savings, and risk mitigation. This role mentors sourcing teams and collaborates with senior stakeholders across Engineering, R&D, and Operations.

The position requires 7–10 years in strategic sourcing or category management, with advanced negotiation and supplier management skills.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business; MBA preferred.
• 7–10 years of experience in strategic sourcing or category management.
• Proven experience managing cross-functional initiatives and leading supplier negotiations.
• Advanced negotiation and supplier management skills.

Responsibilities

• Align category strategies with business unit needs and evolving technology roadmaps.
• Manage key supplier relationships to improve quality, cost, delivery, and innovation.
• Lead sourcing projects within cross-functional teams to deliver strategic outcomes.
• Achieve annual cost savings targets through strategic sourcing and negotiations.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate supplier risks related to business continuity and IP.
• Mentor and develop junior team members in sourcing strategy and negotiation.
• Utilize MS Office, ERP systems (SAP/Oracle), and e-sourcing tools for data analysis.
• Communicate effectively to influence decision-making at all levels.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Category management

Negotiation

Leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Stakeholder engagement

Data analysis

Education

Bachelor’s or Master’s in Engineering/Supply Chain/Business

MBA preferred

Tools

MS Office

SAP/Oracle ERP

e-sourcing tools

Job description

Job Summary

Director for Direct Material Category leads strategic and operational management of assigned categories, driving supplier performance, cost savings, and risk mitigation. This role mentors sourcing teams and collaborates with senior stakeholders across Engineering, R&D, and Operations.

Responsibilities

• Align category strategies with business unit needs and evolving technology roadmaps to support organizational goals
• Manage key supplier relationships to improve quality, cost, delivery, and innovation (QCDI) performance metrics
• Lead sourcing projects within cross-functional teams including R&D, Engineering, Operations, and Finance to deliver strategic outcomes
• Achieve annual cost savings targets through strategic sourcing, value engineering, and commercial negotiation levers
• Identify, assess, and mitigate supplier risks related to business continuity, intellectual property protection, and geopolitical factors
• Mentor and develop junior team members in sourcing strategy formulation, negotiation techniques, and stakeholder engagement
• Utilize MS Office, ERP systems (e.g., SAP/Oracle), and e-sourcing tools to support sourcing activities and data analysis
• Communicate effectively to influence decision-making at all organizational levels

Preferred competencies and qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or Business; MBA preferred
• 7–10 years of experience in strategic sourcing or category management, preferably in manufacturing or semiconductor industries
• Proven experience managing cross-functional initiatives and leading strategic supplier negotiations
• Advanced negotiation and supplier management skills
• Strong analytical skills including total cost of ownership (TCO), cost modeling, and financial analysis
• Willingness to travel domestically or internationally (10–20%)