Assistant Purchasing Manager, SEA– Indirect Procurement

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES 

Purchasing Responsibility (Southeast Asia, Beauty Division): 

• Support end-to-end ownership for all purchasing activities in assigned categories for the Beauty Division across the Southeast Asia region. 
• Assist in developing, implementing, and managing sourcing strategies aligned with business needs and Maisons dynamics in SEA. 
• Conduct comprehensive analysis for cost-saving opportunities. 

Supplier Relationship & Performance Management: 

• Manage a portfolio of suppliers, building strong, collaborative partnerships. 
• Negotiate favorable terms, pricing, contracts, and service level agreements (SLAs) with suppliers. 
• Monitor and evaluate supplier performance regularly, addressing any issues and driving continuous improvement. 

Operational Purchasing - Assigned Categories: 

• Lead the operational procurement of assigned categories including General Expenses, Events & Seminars, Tech, Human Resources, IS, Transport & Logistics, Marketing & Communication, which may evolve based on business needs, for the Beauty Division in Southeast Asia. 
• Oversee the entire purchasing cycle for these categories, from requisition to order placement, delivery. 
• Ensure adherence to budget for all purchases. 

Stakeholder Management: 

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with critical internal stakeholders, including Marketing, Sales, Brand Management, Finance, and Supply Chain teams within the Beauty Division and across Southeast Asia. 
• Collaborate effectively to understand requirements, manage expectations, and ensure seamless execution of purchasing initiatives. 
• Act as a primary point of contact for purchasing-related queries and escalations from internal departments for assigned categories. 

REPORTING 

Operational: Senior Purchasing Manager SEA  

Qualifications

SPECIFICATIONS 

Key Competencies: 

• Strong Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated emotional intelligence, active listening, and influencing abilities to effectively collaborate with diverse internal stakeholders (e.g., Marketing, Finance, Sales...) and external suppliers. 

• Proactive & Initiative-Driven: Possesses a strong sense of urgency and takes initiative to anticipate needs, identify opportunities, and drive solutions in a fast-paced environment. 

• Business Acumen & Results Orientation: Strong strategic business understanding combined with a focus on quantitative results, KPI measurement, and achieving procurement objectives. 

• Change Management Capability: Ability to effectively implement new processes, champion change initiatives, and guide stakeholders through transitions. 

• Strong Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Proficient in data analysis, market research, and problem-solving to make informed decisions and optimize purchasing strategies. 

Technical Skills: 

• Good Negotiation Skills: Track record of successful negotiation, contract finalization, and value creation with suppliers. 

• Excellent English Proficiency: Fluent in written and spoken English for effective communication within the regional and international business context. 

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced skills in Word, Excel (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUP), and PowerPoint for reporting, analysis, and presentations. 

Would be an Advantage (but not mandatory): 

• Specialized Industry Experience: Prior experience in Indirect Purchasing, and/or within the Perfumes & Cosmetics industry (or a similar relevant field). 

• Sustainable & Ethical Procurement Knowledge: Experience with Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and conducting Supplier Audits (ethical, social, and environmental). 

• Advanced Systems Proficiency: Familiarity or experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Microsoft Dynamics AX, Business Intelligence (BI) tools, and/or Source-to-Pay (S2P) platforms. 

Profile: 

• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, or a closely related field. 

• Purchasing Education: Specialized purchasing certifications or studies would be considered a significant asset, but are not mandatory. 

• Professional Experience: 2 to 5 years of progressive purchasing experience in indirect procurement.