Assistant Procurement Manager Raw Materials Asia

Job description

Synthomer is a leading supplier of high-performance, highly specialised polymers and ingredients that play vital roles in key sectors such as coatings, construction, adhesives, and health and protection – growing markets that serve billions of end users worldwide. Headquartered in London, UK and publicly listed there since 1971, we employ c.3,900 employees across our 5 innovation centres of excellence and more than 29 manufacturing sites across Europe, North America and Asia. Around 20% of our sales volumes are from new and patent protected products. At our innovation centres of excellence in the UK, Germany, China, Malaysia and Ohio, USA we collaborate closely with our customers to develop new products and enhance existing ones tailored to their needs, with an increasing range of sustainability benefits. Since 2021, we have been proud holders of the London Stock Exchange Green Economy Mark, which recognises green technology businesses making a significant contribution to a more sustainable, low-carbon economy. Main Accountabilities: Category Management & Strategic Sourcing Develop and implement sourcing strategies for assigned raw material categories based on market intelligence, business requirements, and supply risk assessments. Support the development and implementation of regional and global sourcing initiatives and manage the strategic supplier portfolio to ensure security of supply, cost competitiveness, quality performance, and alignment with business objectives. Market Intelligence & Commercial Management Monitor and analyze regional and global raw material markets, including supply-demand fundamentals, industry developments, feedstock trends, capacity changes, regulatory developments, and geopolitical impacts. Utilize multiple sources of market intelligence, including supplier engagement, ICIS, industry publications, market reports, and internal business intelligence, to identify opportunities, risks, and emerging trends. Provide regular market updates, forecasts, and procurement recommendations to stakeholders to support strategic decision-making. Translate market insights into sourcing strategies that improve cost competitiveness, supply resilience, and sustainability performance. Supplier Relationship & Performance Management Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships. Conduct regular supplier business reviews, audits, and performance assessments covering commercial, operational, quality, delivery, innovation, and sustainability performance. Develop supplier performance improvement plans and value-creation roadmaps to drive continuous improvement and strategic partnerships. Maintain accurate records of supplier engagements, performance reviews, procurement activities, and market intelligence. Contract Management Negotiate, execute, and manage supply agreements in line with company policies and governance requirements. Collaborate with Legal and relevant stakeholders to review contracts, mitigate commercial risks, and resolve non-standard contractual issues. Monitor supplier compliance with contractual obligations and agreed commercial and operational KPIs. Risk Management & Supply Assurance Identify and mitigate supply chain risks related to supplier dependency, logistics, market volatility, and geopolitical developments. Develop and implement contingency plans, alternative sourcing strategies, and business continuity measures for critical raw materials. Partner with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, Technical, and Quality teams to qualify and implement alternative suppliers and supply solutions. Ensure proactive risk monitoring and escalation to safeguard business and plant continuity. Sustainability & Responsible Sourcing Develop and implement sourcing strategies that support the Company's sustainability, ESG, and responsible sourcing objectives. Collaborate with suppliers to improve sustainability performance, including carbon footprint reduction, responsible sourcing practices, supply chain transparency, waste reduction, and traceability. Support the qualification and implementation of sustainable raw materials, renewable feedstocks, and circular economy initiatives in partnership with Technical, R&D, Product Management, and Sustainability teams. Monitor supplier sustainability performance and ensure compliance with customer, regulatory, and internal sustainability requirements. Identify and implement opportunities to reduce Scope 3 emissions and improve the sustainability profile of the raw material portfolio while maintaining cost competitiveness and supply security. Cross-Functional Collaboration & Capability Development Partner with Supply Chain, Manufacturing, R&D, Product Management, Finance, and Sustainability teams to support business objectives. Lead or participate in strategic procurement and continuous improvement projects. Coach and support team members where applicable and contribute to procurement best practices and capability development. 🌍 Global Benefits Overview 💰 Competitive, market-aligned compensation 🎯 Discretionary global bonus scheme 📈 Discretionary Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) – for senior positions 🚗 Company car or car allowance – varies by region and role 🩺 Healthcare – tailored to regional locations 👶 Parental leave and family support – maternity, paternity, adoption (aligned with regional policies) 🏡 Working options – flexibility where it matters, based on role and business needs 📚 Learning & development opportunities – training, online platforms, buddy/mentorship programs, Internal Synthomer University with L&D offers 💙 Wellbeing support – employee assistance program (EAP), mental health resources, wellbeing initiatives 🌱 Retirement / pension contributions – plans vary by country 🤝 Culture of Inclusion – where everyone can thrive 🏆 Performance culture, global reward & recognition programmes