Procurement Director - APAC

Mackinnon Bruce International; Singapore; Hybrid; SGD 250,000 - 420,000; Full time

Job summary

Mackinnon Bruce International is exclusively partnered with a global automotive and industrial solutions business to appoint an APAC Procurement Director. This leadership role will shape procurement across APAC, aligning regional activities with a global centre of excellence, and driving cost optimisation across Singapore, China and Australia.

You will build regional capability and lead strategic sourcing initiatives while transitioning to a globally integrated procurement function.

Qualifications

• Proven leadership in procurement with multi-site teams.
• Experience in lubricants, chemicals, manufacturing, FMCG or similar complex environments.
• Experience navigating a matrix organisation and leading change.
• Strong executive communication across cultures and time zones.
• Based in Singapore with work rights or citizenship.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop procurement teams across Singapore, China and Australia, with a dotted-line relationship to India.
• Align regional procurement with a global centre-of-excellence model, balancing local business needs with global priorities.
• Assess team capabilities, coach direct reports and address development needs.
• Strengthen governance, audit readiness and procurement processes.
• Adapt global policies to the operational requirements of APAC markets.
• Build relationships with regional and global stakeholders, influencing decisions and constructively challenging established approaches.
• Identify cost-optimisation opportunities and agree priorities with the business.

Skills

People management

Procurement leadership

Strategic sourcing

Cross-cultural collaboration

Stakeholder management

Job description

Mackinnon Bruce International is exclusively partnered with a global automotive and industrial solutions business to appoint an APAC Procurement Director.

Our client develops, manufactures and supplies a broad portfolio of lubrication technologies, maintenance products and fluid management solutions that support passenger vehicles, commercial transportation, industrial operations and advanced manufacturing environments. Operating globally, the business serves customers throughout the mobility and industrial value chain, supporting conventional, hybrid and electric technologies while continuing to invest in innovation, sustainability and operational excellence.

This newly created leadership role offers the opportunity to shape procurement across APAC, a high-growth region with significant investment. You will build regional capability, drive strategic sourcing initiatives and lead the transition towards a globally integrated procurement function.

About the role:

• Lead and develop procurement teams across Singapore, China and Australia, with a dotted-line relationship to India.
• Align regional procurement with a global centre-of-excellence model, balancing local business needs with global priorities.
• Assess team capabilities, coach direct reports and address development needs.
• Strengthen governance, audit readiness and procurement processes.
• Adapt global policies to the operational requirements of APAC markets.
• Build relationships with regional and global stakeholders, influencing decisions and constructively challenging established approaches.
• Identify cost-optimisation opportunities and agree priorities with the business.

Your background:

We are looking for an established procurement leader with:

• Strong people-management experience and a track record of developing teams.
• Experience in lubricants, chemicals, manufacturing, FMCG or a similarly complex, process-driven environment.
• Exposure to direct materials, third-party manufacturing, plant operations or semi-commodity categories.
• Experience navigating a matrix organisation and leading change.
• The confidence to balance regional expectations with global direction.
• Strong executive communication skills and experience working across cultures and time zones.
• A collaborative, values-led approach and a hands-on mindset.

Exact product-category experience is not essential.

Leadership capability, procurement expertise and the ability to build an effective regional function are the priorities.

Why consider this opportunity?

• Shape a newly created regional leadership position.
• Take meaningful responsibility in a high-growth APAC business.
• Combine regional decision-making authority with global strategic exposure.
• Explore potential longer-term progression into broader procurement or supply-chain leadership.

Location and working arrangements:

• Singapore-based, with office attendance Monday to Thursday and home working on Fridays.
• Willingness to travel of up to 30% is required, alongside regular collaboration with US leadership teams.
• Applicants should already be based in Singapore and hold existing Singapore work rights or citizenship.