SENIOR MANAGER, SOURCING & PROCUREMENT

Job description

It's fun to work in a company where people truly BELIEVE in what they're doing! The Senior Manager, Sourcing & Procurment leads the Group's direct sourcing of building materials and finishes from China, reporting to Chief of Group PPD. The role exists to convert the Group's product standardisation direction into buying power: working with PPD, design and project teams to consolidate specifications across developments into common material categories, then aggregating that demand into bulk arrangements with qualified manufacturers, principally in China. The role owns the sourcing decision for designated standardised categories, from market research and supplier qualification through commercial negotiation, appointment, production oversight, inspection and delivery into site. Decisions are made on total landed cost, quality, compliance, programme and supply risk, not unit price. This is a hands-on individual contributor role at the outset, building the sourcing function and its supplier base before any team is added. Key Outcomes Aggregated Demand, Ready to Buy – Standardised material categories are defined with PPD and design, and forward demand across live and pipeline projects is consolidated into a single view that can be bought against. Qualified China Supplier Base – A qualified, benchmarked panel of direct manufacturers in China covering the priority categories, with capacity, certification and commercial terms verified. Delivered Cost Reduction – Measurable reduction in delivered material cost against an agreed baseline, achieved through direct-manufacturer sourcing, volume aggregation and negotiated long-term terms. Quality and Delivery Held – Materials arrive on programme and to specification, with factory inspection, certification and logistics planned in advance. Defensible, Auditable Sourcing – Every sourcing exercise is documented, benchmarked and auditable, consistent with the standards expected of a listed entity. Supply Risk Managed – Price volatility, single-source dependency, shipment delay and product non-compliance are identified early and mitigated. Key Responsibilities Standardisation & Demand Aggregation Work with Group PPD, design and project teams to identify materials and finishes that can be standardised across developments, and agree the common specification for each category. Build and maintain a rolling demand forecast by category across live and pipeline projects, so volume can be committed with confidence. Prioritise categories by spend, volume, standardisation feasibility and savings potential, and sequence the sourcing programme accordingly. China Sourcing & Supplier Development Research the China market by category: identify, prequalify and benchmark direct manufacturers on capability, capacity, quality systems, certification and financial standing. Conduct factory visits and audits, or arrange third-party inspection, before appointment and during production. Develop and maintain the supplier panel, including alternates for each critical category to avoid single-source exposure. Build longer-term relationships and, where advantageous, negotiate framework, exclusive or preferred-supplier arrangements. Commercial Negotiation & Cost Management Run RFQ and tender exercises: prepare technical and commercial requirements, evaluate submissions, and lead negotiation on price, volume tiers, payment terms, warranties and delivery. Evaluate every sourcing route on total landed cost, covering ex-works price, freight, insurance, duties, taxes, handling, wastage, warranty and financing terms. Benchmark direct-manufacturer sourcing against local supply and agent or trader routes, and recommend the route with the strongest commercial and risk position. Track realised savings against the agreed baseline and report them with the working shown. Quality, Compliance & Delivery Ensure sourced products meet the specification, and the applicable Malaysian standards, certification and statutory requirements for their intended use. Plan pre-shipment inspection, sampling and mock-up approval with design and project teams before bulk production is released. Coordinate international logistics: shipment planning, freight and forwarder appointment, export and import documentation, customs clearance, container planning and site delivery scheduling. Manage defects, shortfalls and claims with suppliers through to resolution. Governance & Reporting Follow Group procurement policy, delegation of authority and tender governance; keep a complete audit trail of justification, benchmarking, evaluation and approval for every appointment. Declare and manage conflicts of interest, and apply the anti-bribery and corruption requirements expected of a listed entity in supplier dealings. Maintain the supplier register, price database, contract records and performance scorecards. Report sourcing pipeline, savings, supplier performance and supply risk to Group PPD management on an agreed cycle. Collaboration Work with PPD, design, contracts and QS teams so sourcing decisions hold up technically and contractually, including where materials are novated or supplied to contractors. Coordinate with the Trading team where sourced categories overlap with open-market trading activity, so the Group presents one position to a supplier. Engage Finance on payment terms, currency exposure and letters of credit, and Legal or the Company Secretary where contract terms, cross-border arrangements or related-party questions arise. Core Competencies & Technical Expertise Technical & Functional Competencies China Sourcing – Proven experience sourcing directly from China-based manufacturers, including supplier identification, factory qualification, production oversight and inspection. Category and Specification Strategy – Able to translate design and project requirements into a standardised, buyable specification, and to build a category strategy around it. Commercial Negotiation – Strong negotiator on price, terms and long-term arrangements, with sound contract and commercial judgement. Total Landed Cost Analysis – Evaluates on delivered cost and risk, not unit price; comfortable with freight, duties, currency and payment-term effects on the final number. International Logistics – Practical command of international shipping, export and import documentation, customs and delivery planning into active construction sites. Product Compliance and Quality – Understanding of building material standards, certification and testing requirements, and how compliance failures translate into project risk. Construction Commercial Knowledge – Grounding in quantity surveying, contracts or commercial management, sufficient to work credibly with QS, contracts and project teams. Supply Risk Management – Anticipates price volatility, supplier failure, delivery slippage and non-compliance, and builds mitigation into the sourcing plan. Stakeholder Management – Works effectively across senior management, design, technical, project, finance and logistics stakeholders, and with suppliers across cultures and languages. Governance Discipline – Documents and justifies decisions to a standard that withstands internal audit and board-level scrutiny. Qualifications & Experience Educational Background Minimum Diploma or Bachelor’s Degree in Quantity Surveying, Building, Civil Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business or a related field. Experience Requirements Minimum 12 years in procurement, strategic sourcing, contracts or commercial management, preferably within construction, property development, interior fit-out or building products manufacturing. Demonstrated experience leading international sourcing exercises with direct China-based manufacturers, from market research through to delivered goods. Track record of delivering material cost savings through strategic sourcing while holding design, quality and technical requirements. Practical experience across the full procurement lifecycle, including tendering, technical and commercial evaluation, negotiation, appointment, production, inspection and logistics. Experience in building materials, architectural finishes, FF&E or similar project-related product categories. Working proficiency in Mandarin, spoken and written, sufficient to negotiate directly with Chinese manufacturers, together with English and Bahasa Malaysia. Willing to travel to China and other sourcing markets as required. Exposure to governed or regulated environments, such as a listed entity, with attention to procurement controls and audit trails, is an advantage. The selection process may take some time as we carefully consider each talent that comes our way. Please note that we will only be in contact with successfully shortlisted candidates for the next phase of the recruitment process within 2-4 weeks. We truly appreciate your interest and always look forward to meeting great people who’d like to work with us! If you like wild growth and working with happy, enthusiastic over-achievers, you'll enjoy your career with us!