Procurement Director - APAC

About the role

A global automotive and industrial solutions business, which develops, manufactures and supplies lubrication technologies, maintenance products and fluid management solutions, has created a new leadership position for an APAC Procurement Director. The role shapes procurement across APAC, builds regional capability, drives strategic sourcing and leads the transition to a globally integrated procurement function. It is based in Singapore, with office attendance Monday to Thursday and home working on Fridays.

Key responsibilities

• Lead and develop procurement teams across Singapore, China and Australia, with a dotted-line relationship to India.
• Align regional procurement with a global centre-of-excellence model, balancing local business needs with global priorities.
• Assess team capabilities, coach direct reports and address development needs.
• Strengthen governance, audit readiness and procurement processes.
• Adapt global policies to the operational requirements of APAC markets.
• Build relationships with regional and global stakeholders, influence decisions and challenge established approaches.
• Identify cost-optimisation opportunities and agree priorities with the business.

Required profile

• Established procurement leader with strong people-management experience and a track record of developing teams.
• Experience in lubricants, chemicals, manufacturing, FMCG or a similarly complex, process-driven environment.
• Exposure to direct materials, third-party manufacturing, plant operations or semi-commodity categories.
• Experience navigating a matrix organisation and leading change.
• Confidence to balance regional expectations with global direction, and strong executive communication skills across cultures and time zones.
• Collaborative, values-led approach and hands-on mindset; exact product-category experience is not essential.
• Already based in Singapore with existing Singapore work rights or citizenship.

Working arrangements

• Singapore-based, office days Monday to Thursday, home working on Fridays.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%, with regular collaboration with US leadership teams.