Head of Procurement - Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Development (Asia) - Chemicals

About the role

An international specialty chemicals and advanced materials manufacturer is building a new manufacturing hub in Singapore as the anchor of its Asia-Pacific growth, serving fast-growing sectors such as e-mobility, energy storage and electronics. It is recruiting a Head of Procurement for strategic sourcing and supplier development (Asia) in Singapore, a hands-on, pioneer role where the candidate sets up procurement from day one and builds the Asian supplier base from the ground up, with China as the key sourcing market.

Key responsibilities

• Build the procurement function from scratch, including processes, policies, supplier base and systems
• Identify, evaluate and develop new suppliers across Asia for raw materials, packaging, consumables and plant requirements, with a strong focus on China
• Lead supplier qualification, audits and capability building
• Negotiate price, terms, lead times and supply agreements, balancing cost, quality and supply security
• Run day-to-day procurement during plant establishment and ramp-up, including requisitions, purchase orders, expediting and delivery tracking
• Map the supply market, build alternative sources and put mitigation plans in place
• Work with Production, Supply Chain, Quality, Technical and Finance teams and with global procurement leadership
• Shape the regional procurement strategy and build the team as the business expands across Asia-Pacific

Required profile

• Degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business, Engineering, Chemistry, Chemical Engineering or a related discipline
• A professional procurement qualification (e.g. CIPS, SIPMM) is advantageous
• Senior-level experience in procurement, strategic sourcing or supplier development, with a track record of building suppliers
• Direct, hands-on supplier engagement in China is strongly preferred
• Ideal background in specialty chemicals, advanced materials, adhesives, coatings or polymers; related process or industrial manufacturing experience is also considered
• Self-starter with an entrepreneurial mindset, comfortable with ambiguity and able to run independently