Vice President, Procurement Operations Team Lead

About the Role and Company

OCBC, Singapore’s longest-standing bank since 1932, is committed to supporting individuals and businesses by understanding their unique needs and providing tailored financial services. The bank is in the midst of a transformative journey, combining technology and creativity to become Asia’s foremost financial services partner dedicated to sustainability. We invite professionals to join us in innovating the future of banking, fostering supportive teams, and contributing to the community.

Role Overview

This key leadership position is responsible for steering procurement operations within a dynamic, regulated environment. The role involves overseeing Know Your Vendor (KYV) processes, supplier lifecycle management, and purchase order governance, while ensuring rigorous compliance and risk mitigation. The lead will manage a high-visibility team, collaborate extensively with senior stakeholders, and drive digital transformation initiatives and process efficiencies that enhance the organization’s impact.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and manage the Procurement Operations team focusing on KYV and purchase order issuance, ensuring workload is effectively distributed and timelines met.
• Provide coaching, training, and performance evaluations to team members while fostering continuous improvement of workflows and operational processes.
• Supervise supplier due diligence including AML checks, conflict of interest assessments, adverse media reviews, litigation, and financial evaluations; validate KYV reports prior to stakeholder submission.
• Manage periodic vendor reviews every two years, handle exceptions, and escalate high-risk cases for senior approval.
• Oversee purchase order issuance ensuring compliance with procurement guidelines, adequate documentation, and approval limits; address any deviations or policy exceptions.
• Maintain strict adherence to group procurement policies, third-party risk protocols, regulatory requirements, and audit standards; uphold comprehensive audit trails and internal control mechanisms.
• Identify and mitigate operational risks and support audit processes both internal and external.
• Drive process improvements by analyzing operational metrics, promoting automation, and supporting digital transformation projects involving procurement and supplier portals.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Procurement, Supply Chain Management, Finance, or a related field.
• At least 10 years of relevant experience in procurement operations or vendor management within financial or regulated sectors.
• Minimum 2 to 3 years of leadership experience managing teams and operational delivery in similar roles.
• Proficiency in conducting supplier due diligence and managing procurement governance frameworks.
• Experience within banking or financial services environments preferred.
• Familiarity with procurement and ERP systems such as Infinus, SAP, Ariba, or Oracle, focusing on supplier data management and purchase order processes.
• Experience in process re-engineering, system implementation, or digital transformation is advantageous.
• Exceptional leadership capabilities to mentor and guide team members for optimal productivity and skill development.
• Strong understanding of regulatory standards, AML screening, risk management, and internal controls.
• Ability to analyze complex procurement risk cases and make informed, data-based decisions in high-pressure situations.
• Proven ability to implement process improvements that enhance efficiency and compliance.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills, capable of influencing diverse teams and senior leaders.
• Meticulous attention to detail with commitment to audit readiness and maintaining documentation integrity.

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive base salary along with comprehensive, flexible benefits catering to diverse lifestyles. There are community engagement initiatives and industry-leading learning and professional development opportunities to support your wellbeing, career growth, and personal aspirations.