Indirect Procurement Manager

Function of the Job:

The Procurement Manager leads the Ipoh procurement function to ensure continuity of supply, effective supplier management, competitive total cost, and compliance with global and site procurement strategies. The role manages the purchasing team, translates business requirements into sourcing and procurement plans, and works closely with Material Planning, Engineering, Quality, Finance, Operations, Human Resources, Facilities, Shipping & Logistics, and suppliers to secure critical materials and services. The Procurement Manager also drives supplier performance, supply-risk mitigation, process improvement, team development, audit readiness, and adherence to company policies and applicable regulatory requirements.

Authorities:

• Approve purchase orders and sourcing recommendations within the assigned delegation of authority and in accordance with company policies.

• Lead supplier negotiations and recommend supplier selection, allocation, development, escalation, or phase-out actions.

• Assign purchasing activities and priorities across the team and escalate material, supplier, compliance, or commercial risks to the Senior Procurement Manager.

• Represent the procurement function in cross-functional reviews, supplier meetings, audits, and site-level initiatives.

Organizational Relationships:

• Reports to: Senior Procurement Manager

• Direct Reports: Buyers/ Senior Buyers

• Indirect Reports (through Direct Reports): None

• Dotted Line (Matrix) Reports: None

• Primary Location: Ipoh, Malaysia

Job Requirements:

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or an equivalent discipline

• Experience: Minimum 6 to 8 years of experience in procurement, purchasing, sourcing, or supply chain management within a manufacturing or semiconductor environment, including experience leading a medium-sized buyer team.

• Systems and Tools: Proficiency in Agile, Oracle, and Microsoft Office applications.

• Languages: Good written and verbal English communication skills. Mandarin proficiency is an advantage where required for supplier or stakeholders' engagement.

• Other Skills: Strong analytical, reporting, presentation, negotiation, stakeholder-management, and problem-solving capabilities.

Job Competencies:

• Procurement leadership, team supervision, coaching, and performance management

• Strategic sourcing, supplier relationship management, negotiation, and supplier development

• Total cost analysis, cost optimization, and commercial decision support

• Supply-risk management, escalation handling, and issue resolution

• Supplier performance management and continuous improvement

• KPI management, data analysis, reporting, and executive communication

• Procurement systems, process governance, compliance, and audit readiness

• Cross-functional collaboration and support for site and corporate initiatives

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management

   • Identify, assess, and recommend qualified suppliers for materials, components, and services based on quality, cost, delivery, capability, compliance, and risk.

   • Develop sourcing strategies aligned with site requirements and corporate category strategies, including dual or multi-sourcing and localization where appropriate.

   • Build productive supplier relationships and lead regular business reviews, improvement plans, and supplier development activities.

   • Monitor supplier capacity, lead times, and other external factors that may affect supply continuity or commercial outcomes.

2. Cost Control & Value Optimization

   • Collaborate with Category Managers and cross-functional teams to deliver cost savings, cost avoidance, and total-cost-of-ownership improvements.

   • Evaluate quotations, commercial terms, and cost breakdowns to support fact-based sourcing and award recommendations.

   • Lead or support supplier negotiations covering pricing, payment terms, lead times, capacity, service levels, and contractual obligations.

   • Maintain clear documentation and validation of procurement benefits in accordance with reporting requirements.

3. Purchasing Operations and Team Leadership

   • Lead the Ipoh purchasing team in executing daily procurement activities and meeting production and customer requirements.

   • Allocate workload, set priorities, provide backup coverage, and monitor team performance and service levels.

   • Review and approve purchase orders within delegated authority, confirming alignment with approved pricing, terms, lead times, sourcing decisions, and contracts.

   • Resolve complex delivery, quality, receiving, invoice, allocation, and supplier-related escalations in collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

   • Provide procurement leadership for supplier transitions, product or project launches, localization, contract renewals, and other critical initiatives.

4. Supplier Performance and Supply-Risk Management

   • Monitor supplier performance using agreed measures such as on-time delivery, quality, responsiveness, service, and corrective-action closure.

   • Identify supply, capacity, quality, financial, geopolitical, and single-source risks; develop and track mitigation or contingency plans.

   • Escalate material supplier risks and recurring performance issues, ensuring ownership, corrective action, and timely closure.

   • Support supplier audits, business continuity reviews, and cross-functional risk assessments.

5. Process Improvement, Systems, and Compliance

   • Identify gaps and inefficiencies in procurement workflows and implement improvements that enhance speed, accuracy, control, and user experience.

   • Ensure compliance with corporate procurement policies, internal procedures, ISO standards, RBA requirements, EHS expectations, and applicable local regulations.

   • Maintain procurement procedures and master data within assigned systems, including administration of indirect procurement processes and procedures in Agile.

   • Support internal and external audits by maintaining complete, accurate, and retrievable procurement records and evidence.

6. Training and Team Development

   • Coach and develop buyers in sourcing, negotiation, supplier management, risk assessment, commercial analysis, systems, and compliance.

   • Conduct refresher training for new and existing team members.

   • Maintain current work instructions and promote knowledge sharing, cross-training, and adoption of procurement best practices.

7. Reporting & KPI Monitoring

   • Maintain accurate and timely procurement reporting covering cost savings and avoidance, supplier performance, on-time delivery, aging purchase orders, sourcing progress, risks, and audit actions.

   • Analyze trends and recurring issues, recommend corrective or preventive actions, and communicate material variances to the Senior Procurement Manager.

   • Ensure data integrity and consistent use of procurement systems, reports, and performance trackers.

8. Stakeholder and Cross-Functional Coordination

   • Partner with Material Planning, Engineering, Quality, Finance, Warehouse, Shipping, Operations, and other stakeholders to align demand, priorities, sourcing decisions, and supply plans.

   • Maintain clear communication with internal requestors and the purchasing team regarding order status, lead times, constraints, risks, and urgent requirements.

   • Facilitate timely resolution of cross-functional matters affecting procurement efficiency, supplier performance, production continuity, or customer commitments.

   • Represent the Senior Procurement Manager in designated meetings, audits, EHS walkthroughs, and reporting reviews when required.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• Validated procurement cost savings and cost avoidance.

• Supplier Performance, including on-time delivery, quality, responsiveness, and corrective-action closure.

• Purchase-order cycle time, accuracy, aging, and exception rate.

• Supply-risk mitigation and timely resolution of critical shortages or escalations.

• Sourcing strategy execution, including dual sourcing, localization, supplier transitions, and contract renewals.

• Team productivity, capability development, workload coverage, and escalation management.

• Compliance with procurement policies, ISO standards, RBA requirements, and audit-readiness expectations.

• Reporting accuracy, timeliness, system utilization, and procurement data integrity.

Working Conditions:

This role is hybrid (3 days onsite, 2 days work from home).

Culture Commitment

Ensure adherence to company's values (ICARE) in all aspects of your position at Coherent Corp.:

• Integrity – Create an Environment of Trust

• Collaboration – Innovate Through the Sharing of Ideas

• Accountability – Own the Process and the Outcome

• Respect – Recognize the Value in Everyone

• Enthusiasm – Find a Sense of Purpose in Work

Coherent Corp. is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religion, national origin, disability, protected Veteran status, age, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Coherent Malaysia (formerly known as II-VI Incorporated) began operations in 2001 through the incorporation of Finisar Malaysia with 300 headcounts, now employs over 3000 employees. Ipoh's assembly and test site for optical components, transceivers, and wavelength management equipment, remains committed to the expansion of Coherent Corporation, accelerated by the growth of next generation products to meet the increasing demands for network bandwidth and data storage.

Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Coherent is a global leader in lasers, engineered materials and networking components. We are a vertically integrated manufacturing company that develops innovative products for diversified applications in the industrial, optical communications, military, life sciences, semiconductor equipment, and consumer markets. Coherent provides a comprehensive career development platform within an environment that challenges employees to perform at their best, while rewarding excellence and hard-work through a competitive compensation program. It's an exciting opportunity to work for a company that offers stability, longevity and growth. Come Join Us!

Note to recruiters and employment agencies: We will not pay for unsolicited resumes from recruiters and employment agencies unless we have a signed agreement and have required assistance, in writing, for a specific opening.