Global Category Manager

A leading global manufacturing and production organnisation is seeking a Global Category Manager to play a pivotal role in shaping the future of their strategic sourcing and supply chain operations. This position will be based in Batu Kawan, Penang.

This position offers you the opportunity to drive external machining capacity expansion, develop high-performing suppliers, and ensure long-term supply ecosystem readiness to support ambitious growth plans. You will be at the forefront of supplier qualification, industrialisation, and ramp-up activities, collaborating with cross-functional teams across the globe. With a hybrid working model that allows up to 40% work from home and approximately 20% international and domestic travel, this role provides flexibility while offering exposure to large-scale projects and influential stakeholders. If you are passionate about building resilient supply chains, optimising supplier landscapes, and contributing to business continuity on a global scale, this is your chance to make a significant impact.

• • Shape the future of machining capacity by leading end-to-end supplier development programmes and driving strategic investment initiatives across multiple regions.
• • Enjoy flexible working arrangements with up to 40% remote work and opportunities for international travel, supporting both professional growth and work-life balance.
• • Collaborate with knowledgeable teams in a supportive environment that values diversity, continuous learning, and career advancement through structured training programmes.

What you'll do:

As a Global Category Manager, you will be entrusted with steering the company’s external machining capacity expansion efforts. Your day-to-day responsibilities will involve developing strategic relationships with new suppliers while ensuring their technical readiness aligns with future business needs. You will coordinate complex investment programmes designed to scale CNC machining capabilities across an extensive supply ecosystem. By leveraging your expertise in supplier qualification and industrialisation processes, you will help secure over 150 CNC machines and more than 900,000 machining hours within two years. Your role will also encompass proactive risk management—identifying potential bottlenecks before they impact operations—and driving continuous improvement initiatives that enhance quality, delivery performance, cost efficiency, and responsiveness throughout the supply chain. Success in this position requires exceptional stakeholder engagement skills as you facilitate cross-functional discussions on supplier readiness while providing executive-level visibility into project progress. Ultimately, your contributions will underpin operational continuity during periods of rapid growth while positioning the organisation for sustained competitive advantage.

• Lead the sourcing, qualification, and development of at least four new machining suppliers to support long-term business growth and capacity expansion objectives.
• Identify, assess, and nurture high-performing machining suppliers with robust technical capabilities, scalability potential, operational maturity, and financial sustainability.
• Drive supplier industrialisation activities including process readiness assessments, manufacturing capability evaluations, equipment investment alignment, and operational ramp-up planning.
• Develop and execute comprehensive machining capacity growth strategies tailored to aggressive business ramp requirements and future demand projections.
• Coordinate supplier investment plans, machine loading strategies, and ramp execution processes to guarantee seamless business continuity and supply assurance.
• Monitor capacity risks proactively by identifying bottlenecks early and implementing recovery plans to maintain uninterrupted operations.
• Optimise the machining supplier base through consolidation initiatives, dual sourcing strategies, localisation efforts, and best cost country sourcing programmes.
• Partner with global and regional category managers to rationalise suppliers while balancing risk diversification, cost competitiveness, and operational flexibility.
• Lead benchmarking exercises and market intelligence activities to stay ahead of industry trends, emerging technologies, and competitive sourcing opportunities.
• Facilitate cross-functional collaboration by coordinating with Operations, Product Engineering, Supplier Quality, Industrial Engineering, and Business Units for aligned sourcing strategies.

What you bring:

To excel as a Global Category Manager, you will bring substantial experience from strategic sourcing roles within complex global organisations. Your background should include hands-on involvement in developing new suppliers for CNC machining operations as well as orchestrating large-scale capacity expansions under demanding timelines. You possess deep knowledge of manufacturing processes coupled with an ability to analyse data critically when making decisions that affect both short-term performance metrics and long-term strategic goals. Your interpersonal skills allow you to foster collaborative relationships across diverse teams while your negotiation acumen ensures mutually beneficial outcomes during supplier engagements. Fluency in English is essential given the international scope of this position; additional language proficiency such as Chinese or German would be considered an asset. Experience working within matrixed organisations or multicultural settings will serve you well as you navigate complex stakeholder landscapes. Above all else your commitment to continuous improvement—combined with organisational agility—will empower you to deliver results that drive operational excellence throughout the supply chain.

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Procurement or Industrial Engineering (or related discipline) is required for consideration.
• At least 15 years’ experience in strategic sourcing, supplier development or category management within a global manufacturing environment is essential for success in this role.
• Demonstrated expertise in managing machining suppliers—including CNC manufacturing processes—capacity planning initiatives and supplier industrialisation projects is highly valued.
• Comprehensive understanding of machining operations as well as broader supply chain ecosystem management is necessary for effective decision-making.
• Proven track record in overseeing supplier ramp-up activities, investment coordination programmes and large-scale manufacturing capacity expansions is expected.
• Exceptional project management abilities combined with strong stakeholder engagement skills are crucial for aligning cross-functional teams towards shared objectives.
• Advanced analytical thinking capabilities paired with negotiation prowess enable you to influence outcomes positively while maintaining commercial awareness.
• Excellent communication skills—both written and spoken English—are mandatory for clear reporting across multicultural environments.
• Experience in high-precision machining or semiconductor manufacturing supply chains would be advantageous but not required.
• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles or continuous improvement methodologies further strengthens your candidacy.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out as an employer committed to fostering equal opportunities for all employees while championing diversity at every level. Recognised for its dedication to fair compensation practices—as evidenced by receiving the Fair-ON-Pay+ certificate—the company prioritises employee satisfaction alongside innovation-driven business outcomes. You can expect access to comprehensive training programmes designed to support both career progression and personal development within a nurturing environment that values each individual’s unique contributions. The leadership team actively encourages open communication channels so that everyone feels heard regardless of their background or tenure. Flexible working arrangements—including hybrid models—demonstrate a genuine commitment to work-life balance without compromising on professional growth opportunities. By joining this forward-thinking organisation you become part of a community where collaboration thrives alongside accountability agility and continuous improvement—all underpinned by a culture that recognises achievement fairly rewards effort equitably and supports ambition responsibly.

What's next:

If you are ready to shape the future of global machining capacity development while advancing your career within an inclusive world-class organisation 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