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- Lead indirect sourcing: shape category strategy, run RFP/RFQ, negotiate contracts, manage suppliers and team
- Join a global specialty-chemicals leader in 103 countries with 400+ factories and CHF11.2bn sales
- Own category impact & career growth!
Undisclosed
Kuala Lumpur, Federal Territory of Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur
Job Description
About the Role
Overall Responsibilities
The Indirect Category Manager develops and executes sourcing and category strategies for indirect goods and services to support business continuity, cost optimization, supplier performance, risk management, and procurement compliance.
The role leads local sourcing activities, manages supplier and stakeholder relationships, develops the procurement team, and collaborates with local, regional, and corporate procurement functions to deliver sustainable value and operational efficiency.
Strategic Sourcing and Category Management
- Develop and implement sourcing and category strategies for indirect goods and services in alignment with local, regional, and corporate procurement objectives.
- Conduct market research, supplier benchmarking, spend analysis, and cost analysis to identify sourcing opportunities, establish improvement benchmarks, and support informed procurement decisions.
- Lead sourcing projects and manage Request for Proposal and Request for Quotation processes.
Supplier and Contract Management
- Build and maintain effective supplier and service-provider relationships.
- Lead commercial negotiations, establish supply contracts and agreements, and monitor supplier performance against agreed service, quality, cost, compliance, and contractual expectations.
- Address performance issues and implement corrective actions when required.
Procurement Governance and Risk Management
- Ensure procurement activities comply with the local Procurement Manual, applicable company policies, approval requirements, budgets, contractual obligations, ethical standards, and legal requirements.
- Identify, assess, and mitigate procurement and supply risks associated with indirect categories.
Cost Optimization and Process Improvement
- Identify and implement sustainable cost-saving and value-creation initiatives.
- Improve procurement processes through standardization, automation, technology adoption, and other practical efficiency measures while maintaining service continuity and business requirements.
Stakeholder and Team Management
- Partner with internal stakeholders to understand business needs, provide procurement guidance, and coordinate timely sourcing support.
- Collaborate with local, regional, and corporate procurement teams on strategic initiatives.
- Lead, coach, and develop the Indirect Procurement Executives.
Your Skills and Experience
Education Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Finance, Engineering, or related discipline.
- An MBA or relevant professional procurement certification is an added advantage.
Experience Requirement
- Minimum 8-10 years of experience in indirect procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, supply chain, or a related procurement function.
- Demonstrated experience leading sourcing projects, supplier negotiations, contract management, cost-optimization initiatives, and supplier performance management across multiple indirect spending categories is required.
- Experience working with cross-functional stakeholders in a local, regional, or multinational environment is preferred.
General Requirement
- Strong commercial, analytical, organizational, and project-management capabilities, with the ability to interpret spend data and make data-driven decisions.
- Proficient in ERP and procurement-related systems; knowledge of Microsoft Dynamics AX, SAP, or equivalent platforms is preferred.
- Strong leadership, communication, negotiation, stakeholder-management, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to work effectively across functions and organizational levels.
- Strategic, organized, self-directed, and able to work independently and collaboratively.
- Demonstrates high integrity and is willing and able to travel when required.
- Proficient in spoken and written English and Bahasa Malaysia. Proficiency in Mandarin is an added advantage.
Why Join Us
We offer competitive salaries, aligned with local market benchmarks and the specific scope and responsibilities of each role. Compensation is determined based skills relevant to the position, education and/or training. We are committed to fair and equitable pay practices in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
About Sika
Sika is a specialty chemicals company with a globally leading position in the development and production of systems and products for bonding, sealing, damping, reinforcing, and protection in the building sector and industry. Sika has subsidiaries in 103 countries around the world, produces in over 400 factories, and develops innovative technologies for customers worldwide. In doing so, it plays a crucial role in enabling the transformation of the construction and transportation industries toward greater environmental compatibility. Approximately 33,000 employees generated CHF 11.20 billion in sales in 2025.
Sika is an independent Swiss group founded in Zurich in 1910. Its shares are listed on the SWX Swiss Exchange since 1968. In May 2017, Sika enters the Swiss Market Index (SMI), the leading index of the Swiss stock exchange, containing the top 20 Blue Chip companies of Switzerland.
Sika’s product range features high-quality concrete admixtures, specialty mortars, sealants and adhesives, damping and reinforcing materials, structural strengthening systems, industrial flooring as well as roofing and waterproofing systems.
Sika Malaysia, established in 1991, is a wholly owned company of Sika AG in Switzerland and a member of the Sika Group of Companies.
Job Requirements
Company Benefits
Global exposure
As an international company, our diverse workforce enables us to listen and effectively respond to employee needs.
Open and inclusive culture
We firmly believe that the diversity experienced by employees contributes to the success of the company!
Career growth
At Sika, we encourage you to take assignments outside your own country. This way we can share knowledge across all our locations worldwide.
Additional Info
Company Activity
Last active - few days ago
Experience Level
0 - 10 Years of Experience
Company Profile
