Assistant Manager - Purchasing

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Job Summary:
The Assistant Procurement Manager will support the procurement team in acquiring goods and services for the organization. They will work closely with the Procurement Manager to manage the purchasing process, maintain supplier relationships, ensure compliance with organizational policies, and ensure cost-effective and efficient procurement operations.

Job Description:
IT-Specific Responsibilities:

1. IT Product and Service Knowledge: Demonstrates a strong understanding of IT products and services (e.g., hardware, software, networking, and cloud services), with a clear understanding of how IT systems and infrastructure work within an organization.
2. Sourcing and Procurement Strategy for IT: Plan and execute sourcing strategies for IT projects, analyzing data, spending trends, and market intelligence to make informed decisions. Contribute to cost-saving initiatives and improvements in procurement practices.
3. Supplier Relationship Management for IT: Establish and maintain strong relationships with IT suppliers and stakeholders. Monitor supplier performance to ensure timely delivery, adherence to contractual terms, and alignment with company goals.
4. Supplier Evaluation and Price Benchmarking for IT: Initiate due diligence checks on new IT suppliers and conduct price benchmarking exercises to ensure the right suppliers are chosen at the best possible price. Regularly assess the market to identify opportunities for improvement.
5. Project and Contract Management for IT: Ensure IT goods and services are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget. Oversee the timely renewal of contracts and ensure comprehensive information and documentation for all IT tenders and RFP events.

General Procurement Responsibilities:

1. Compliance and Documentation: Ensure compliance with organizational policies and regulations in all procurement activities. Maintain accurate records and documentation of transactions, tenders, and contracts, ensuring transparency and auditability.
2. Operational Support and Team Collaboration: Handle daily operational issues, providing solutions to ensure smooth procurement processes. Work closely with internal teams, including IT, finance, and legal, to ensure alignment and efficiency in procurement operations.
3. Negotiation and Value Optimization: Assist in negotiating terms and pricing with suppliers, aiming to achieve the best value for the company. Continuously assess opportunities to optimize value, quality, and cost across all procurement activities.
4. Process Improvement and Innovation: Contribute ideas for process improvements and system efficiency, focusing on increasing stakeholder satisfaction and enhancing the overall effectiveness of the procurement function.
5. Project Tracking and Team Leadership: Keep track of project updates from individual buyers and foster teamwork within the procurement team. Work towards increasing efficiency and collaboration among team members, ensuring a smooth procurement process.
6. Market and Product Knowledge Update: Stay informed on sourcing and market trends, providing regular updates on new products, technologies, and services to key stakeholders to keep the procurement process current and competitive.

Additional Roles and Responsibilities: Perform any other roles, tasks, or responsibilities as may be assigned from time to time, adapting to future needs and organizational changes.

Requirements:

• Degree in Economics / Statistics / Information Technology / Computer Science with at least 5 years' experience in purchasing field, understanding of procurement processes and supplier management.
• Familiarity with purchasing processes specific to IT, such as software licenses, hardware upgrades, and IT services will be preferable.
• Availability to negotiate effectively with suppliers, vendors, and service providers for competitive pricing and terms, especially for tech-specific products.
• Good communication skills, in liaising with both stakeholders and vendors. Understanding of technical language and being able to translate it to business needs.
• Experience in leading/supervising buyers.
• Strong understanding of IT systems, tools, and platforms, including familiarity with enterprise software, ERP systems (like SAP, Ariba, etc.), the complexities of software licensing, warranties, service level agreements (SLAs), regulatory compliance related to IT, and knowledge of cloud technologies.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and manage multiple priorities.

How do your skills match this job?

Your application will include the following questions:

• Which of the following statements best describes your right to work in Malaysia?
• What's your expected monthly basic salary?
• Which of the following types of qualifications do you have?
• How many years' experience do you have in a procurement role?
• Do you have experience preparing and submitting tenders?
• Which of the following languages are you fluent in?
• How much notice are you required to give your current employer?