Indirect Category Manager (Machinery)

Molex Singapore Pte Ltd; Singapore; On-site; SGD 80,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading multinational firm is seeking a Category Manager for Machinery in Singapore. The role is within their Indirect Procurement team and requires strong strategic thinking and negotiation skills. The successful candidate will develop and implement category strategies, drive cost improvements, and work closely with cross-functional teams across Asia. Candidates with a relevant Bachelor's degree and 3-5 years of sourcing experience will thrive in this dynamic position. Proficiency in Mandarin is beneficial for collaboration with stakeholders.

Qualifications

• 3-5 years of sourcing/procurement experience in relevant industries.
• Minimum 3 years category management experience with Capex focus.
• Proficient in Mandarin to serve Mandarin-speaking customers.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement machinery category strategy.
• Drive cost improvement through supplier negotiation.
• Lead business reviews to enhance supplier performance.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Negotiation skills

Interpersonal skills

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Automation or Mechanical & Electrical Engineering

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Your Job

We are seeking a competent and strategic Category Manager for Machinery within our Asia Indirect Procurement team. This role requires a proactive leader with strong strategic thinking, negotiation skills, and the ability to influence stakeholders across multiple regions in a dynamic and transforming environment.

Our Team

You will join the Corporate Procurement Division, working closely with diverse cross‑functional teams including PJM, MIE/PE, Finance, and other division stakeholders, as well as external suppliers throughout Asia.

What You Will Do

• Develop regional machinery category strategy and implement the strategy in sourcing decisions for automation machinery purchase.
• Drive year‑over‑year cost improvement in automation machinery spend through supplier negotiation.
• Champion and secure TCO reductions for the category across divisions and countries.
• Support NPI/NPD project and meet project requirements on cost, delivery, and quality.
• Drive year‑over‑year working capital improvement and payment term extension.
• Lead regular business reviews meetings with suppliers to improve supplier performance.
• Develop clean sheet/should‑cost model for customized automation equipment.
• Negotiation and maintenance of contracts and supply conditions.
• Drive VA/VE and localization/substitution projects to improve profitability.
• Develop regional preferred supplier strategy to improve supplier performance.
• Other duties as assigned by Management.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in Automation or Mechanical & Electrical Engineering.
• 3-5 years of sourcing/procurement experience in relevant industries such as connector, RF/Optical communication, EMS, automotive electronics, or wire harness.
• Minimum 3 years category management experience, preferably with Capex focus.
• Strong negotiation and interpersonal skills with proven ability to influence and build consensus.
• Experience with multinational contracts and working in multicultural, cross‑functional teams.
• Proficient in Mandarin to better serve our Mandarin‑speaking customers and collaborate with counterparts.
• Proficient in Excel and PowerPoint with good project management skills.

What Will Put You Ahead

• MBA or Master’s degree.
• CPSM or CIPS certification and experience in international trade.
• Prior experience as a Category Manager in Capex/industrial machinery.
• Expertise in industrial machinery, test equipment, and automation systems.
• Experience in interconnect, automation, automotive electronics industries, or tooling design.
• Proficient in Japanese or Korean to better serve our Japanese and Korean‑speaking customers.

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate’s knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.

Who We Are

As a Koch company, Molex is a leading supplier of connectors and interconnect components, driving innovation in electronics and supporting industries from automotive to health care and consumer to data communications. The thousands of innovators who work for Molex have made us a global electronics leader. Our experienced people, groundbreaking products and leading‑edge technologies help us deliver a wider array of solutions to more markets than ever before.

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.