Head of Direct Materials Procurement

About the Role

This senior leadership position involves overseeing multiple category procurement teams, formulating long-term sourcing plans, enhancing supplier relationships, mitigating commercial risks, and supporting organizational growth through procurement excellence. The incumbent will be instrumental in establishing a high-achieving regional procurement function and spearheading supply chain transformation projects.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage several direct materials procurement teams across varied sourcing categories.
• Create and implement category strategies that support overall business goals.
• Lead strategic sourcing activities, including supplier evaluation, contract negotiations, and supplier performance oversight.
• Foster enduring partnerships with both global and regional suppliers.
• Spot opportunities to optimize costs while maintaining consistent supply and quality standards.
• Drive procurement transformation and improve existing processes.
• Work closely with departments such as manufacturing, operations, engineering, finance, and other business units.
• Establish procurement governance frameworks, policies, and best practices.
• Mentor and develop procurement leadership and enhance organizational skills.

Requirements

• University degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related fields.
• Over 15 years of procurement experience with leadership roles at large multinational firms.
• Extensive expertise in direct materials procurement within heavy industrial sectors like Chemicals, Energy, Oil & Gas, Mining, Metals, Building Materials, Industrial Manufacturing, or similar process industries.
• Demonstrated ability to lead multiple procurement categories and large, diverse teams.
• Strong commercial insight and adeptness in supplier negotiations.
• Experience managing sourcing programs on a regional or global scale.
• Excellent skills in stakeholder engagement and leadership.
• Fluent in English; proficiency in Mandarin is highly desirable given frequent interactions with regional stakeholders.