Global Commodity Manager

A leading global manufacturing and production organisation is seeking a Global Commodity Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of its regional and international supplier ecosystem. Based in Batu Kawan, Penang with a flexible hybrid working model, this position offers you the opportunity to drive strategic sourcing initiatives, lead supplier development programmes, and influence supply chain transformation across multiple regions

This position offers you the opportunity to drive strategic sourcing initiatives, expand machining hubs, and enhance supply chain capabilities across Asia, with a particular focus on China. You will be empowered to collaborate with cross-functional teams, influence business growth, and contribute to long-term manufacturing competitiveness. The organisation values flexibility, offering up to 40% work-from-home as part of its hybrid model, and supports your professional development through comprehensive training programmes. If you are passionate about building resilient supply networks and thrive in multicultural environments, this is your chance to make a lasting impact.

• Enjoy flexible working opportunities with up to 40% remote work, allowing you to balance professional responsibilities with personal commitments while contributing to global supply chain transformation.
• Be at the forefront of regional supplier development and machining hub expansion, collaborating closely with cross-functional teams to deliver operational scalability and supply resilience.
• Benefit from ongoing training opportunities and career development support within an inclusive environment that recognises and rewards your contributions through equal pay and advancement pathways.

What you'll do:

As a Global Commodity Manager based in Batu Kawan, you will be entrusted with driving the development of regional supplier ecosystems while expanding machining hubs to meet ambitious manufacturing goals. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve executing strategic sourcing projects across Asia—especially China—ensuring suppliers are qualified, capable, and ready for rapid industrialisation. You will collaborate extensively with category management teams, supply chain professionals, product engineers, quality specialists, and business units to optimise value chains. By fostering strong partnerships with suppliers and internal stakeholders alike, you will enable scalable growth across the network. Success in this role hinges on your ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives that improve operational efficiency, mitigate risks, enhance supply resilience, and deliver measurable improvements in quality, delivery performance, cost control, capacity planning, and responsiveness.

• Lead strategic sourcing, qualification, and development of regional machining hubs including treatment capabilities to support external manufacturing capacity growth plans.
• Develop and execute regional supplier development strategies aligned with business expansion, operational scalability, and supply chain resilience objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard high-performing machining suppliers with strong technical capability, operational maturity, and growth potential.
• Drive machining ecosystem expansion and supplier readiness programmes to support future demand ramp and operational continuity.
• Partner with suppliers on capability enhancement, technology adoption, process improvement, and operational scalability initiatives.
• Support and execute regional sourcing and supplier localisation strategies aligned with China and Asia supply chain objectives.
• Strengthen regional supply base competitiveness through strategic supplier footprint development, localisation programmes, and Best Cost Country sourcing initiatives.
• Monitor regional market trends, industry developments, supply risks, and investment opportunities to inform long-term sourcing strategy.
• Lead supplier qualification and industrialisation activities for both machining and selected non-machining sub-tier suppliers.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure successful supplier onboarding and timely execution of qualification milestones.

What you bring:

Your extensive background in category management equips you to excel as a Global Commodity Manager. With over fifteen years’ experience in supplier development or strategic sourcing within multinational settings, particularly those involving machining, you bring deep insight into manufacturing operations. Your academic credentials underpin your practical expertise: whether mechanical engineering or supply chain disciplines. You have successfully led large-scale qualification projects for new suppliers while navigating complex stakeholder landscapes. Your interpersonal skills foster collaborative relationships across diverse teams; your analytical approach ensures robust risk mitigation; your organisational agility enables you to adapt quickly amid shifting priorities. Fluency in English allows you to communicate effectively across borders; additional language skills further enhance your ability to operate within multicultural environments. Experience gained from semiconductor or advanced manufacturing sectors strengthens your understanding of precision requirements. Familiarity with inventory optimisation techniques complements your commitment to continuous improvement.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Industrial Engineering or Business is required for consideration.
• Minimum 15 years’ experience in category management, supplier development or strategic sourcing within a global organisation is essential for success in this role.
• Proven expertise in machining supplier development as well as manufacturing sourcing and regional supply chain management is highly valued.
• Strong understanding of machining processes including supplier industrialisation practices as well as manufacturing operations is necessary.
• Demonstrated experience managing aggressive supplier qualification projects including new site onboarding and strategic sourcing initiatives is expected.
• Exceptional project management skills combined with effective communication abilities are crucial for leading complex cross-functional initiatives.
• Advanced analytical thinking capabilities paired with organisational agility are needed to manage multiple priorities within dynamic environments.
• Fluency in English (written and spoken) is mandatory; additional proficiency in Chinese or German is considered advantageous.
• Experience in semiconductor or high precision machining industries as well as advanced manufacturing sectors is preferred but not required.
• Familiarity with inventory optimisation strategies such as stocking strategy or VMI/VCS models plus knowledge of Lean Manufacturing methodologies is beneficial.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out for its unwavering commitment to employee diversity and equal opportunity. It actively fosters an inclusive workplace where every team member’s contribution is recognised through fair compensation practices, demonstrated by its receipt of the Fair-ON-Pay+ certificate for equal pay between men and women. Employees benefit from generous training programmes designed for both career progression and personal growth. The company’s hybrid working model offers flexibility that supports work-life balance while enabling you to participate fully in global projects. As a responsible employer focused on innovation and customer orientation, it provides an environment where your ideas can flourish alongside those of colleagues from varied backgrounds. The culture emphasises collaboration across functions, ensuring that everyone shares in mutual success—and encourages continuous learning so you can develop new skills throughout your tenure. By joining this team you become part of a forward-thinking network dedicated not only to business excellence but also individual fulfilment.

What's next:

If you are ready to shape the future of global supply chains while enjoying flexible working arrangements within an inclusive environment, apply now!

Apply today by sending your CV to desmond.khoo@robertwalters.com.

Do note that we will only be in touch if your application is shortlisted.

Agensi Pekerjaan Robert Walters Sdn Bhd
Business Registration Number : 729828-T
Licence Number : JTKSM 423C