Director, Category Management - Mechanics

About the role

ASM is looking for a strategic category leader to own and advance the sourcing approach for the Mechanics category. This position is responsible for building a durable global supplier ecosystem, strengthening supplier performance, and unlocking innovation and value across a category that represents a significant share of direct spend. The role sits within the global sourcing leadership group and works across engineering, operations, quality, and business teams to turn business priorities into sourcing strategies that support scale, resilience, and technical excellence.

The category covers built-to-print machining, sheet metal, and plastic fabrication parts aligned to ASM designs. Success in this role requires a strong understanding of raw materials, outside processing, precision manufacturing, and supplier capabilities that can support next-generation requirements.

Key responsibilities

• Create and deliver a 3 to 5 year global category strategy, ensuring supplier capabilities stay 2 to 3 years ahead of product launches.
• Reduce total cost of ownership each year by driving technical value engineering, not only commercial negotiation.
• Build a zero-defect quality culture with key suppliers, targeting Six Sigma performance and more than 95% on-time delivery for difficult, long-lead items.
• Continuously assess and onboard suppliers that can scale, integrate vertically, and support ASM’s future needs.
• Strengthen supplier partnerships through structured relationship management programs that deliver long-term value.
• Serve as the technical lead for the category, assessing new technologies and supplier capabilities.
• Promote supplier-led innovation and create joint development plans that bring in at least two new technologies or processes each year.
• Encourage early supplier involvement in new product introductions to shorten time-to-market.
• Work directly with engineering and suppliers on technical discussions that improve design, yield, quality, and cost.
• Build, coach, and grow a high-performing global sourcing team.
• Create a culture of excellence and evidence-based decision-making using tools such as SAP S/4HANA, Power BI, and similar analytics platforms.
• Support strong team retention through active mentoring and development planning.
• Influence internal partners across manufacturing, quality, purchasing, planning, business units, and finance.
• Ensure the team responds effectively to initiatives tied to supply continuity, cost control, quality improvements, lead-time reduction, and capacity management.
• Own supplier relationship management end to end, including standard scorecards, performance metrics, quarterly business reviews, and continuous improvement actions.
• Lead cross-functional productivity initiatives that lower overhead, lead times, liabilities, and costs.
• Maintain supply chain resilience through business continuity planning, second sourcing, raw material risk management, and other mitigation measures for short- and long-range planning.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, engineering, materials science, or a closely related field.
• At least 15 years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or engineering within a high-mix, low-volume or high-complexity manufacturing setting.
• Background in sectors such as semiconductor, aerospace, or medical devices is preferred by context.
• Proven ability to manage complex global supply chains and categories such as mechanical systems, advanced materials, contract manufacturing, or electrical categories.
• Strong commercial judgment, negotiation ability, and experience working with suppliers across multiple geographies.
• Demonstrated success leading sourcing transformation and developing high-performing teams.
• Comfort working in a fast-moving, technology-led environment with demanding supply chain challenges.
• Experience with SAP/S4 Hana is preferred.
• Deep technical expertise in mechanics-related sourcing.
• Knowledge of precision manufacturing, tolerances, design standards, raw material properties, surface cleaning and treatment, and material science for ultra-high vacuum and plasma environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present strategies and action plans clearly to different audiences.
• Strategic mindset with the ability to anticipate technology shifts and build supply chains accordingly.
• Strong influencing skills and the ability to build trust with internal leaders and supplier executives.
• Strong problem-solving ability, especially for complex issues without ready-made solutions.
• Ability to connect technical challenges to financial and business impact.
• Proactive, entrepreneurial, and continuously improvement-oriented approach.

Additional information

ASM has operated for more than 55 years and employs over 4,500 people from 70 nationalities. The company supports innovation across technologies such as 5G, cloud computing, AI, and autonomous driving, while also emphasizing diversity, inclusion, and sustainability. Development programs are part of the company’s commitment to helping employees grow and expand their potential.

ASM is an equal opportunity employer and evaluates all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, age, nationality, ethnic or social origin, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity or expression, marital status, pregnancy, political affiliation, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law.

Candidate profile

This role suits a senior sourcing leader who combines deep mechanics category knowledge with strong commercial leadership, supplier development experience, and the ability to guide cross-functional teams in a complex global manufacturing environment.

Work location

Singapore.

Application note

No additional information about compensation, openings, start date, or application deadline was provided.