Category Sourcing Manager, Mechanical industry

A leading global manufacturer is seeking a Category Sourcing Manager to take ownership of the Pipe, Valves and Fittings (PVF) category across the Asia-Pacific region.

This is an exceptional opportunity for you to shape regional sourcing strategies, develop robust supplier partnerships, and play a pivotal role in supporting manufacturing and project activities for commercial buildings and data centres. You will be joining a people-focused organisation that values inclusivity, professional growth, and ethical business practices. With exposure to international supply bases—particularly China—and the chance to collaborate with cross-functional teams, this role offers both challenge and reward. Flexible working arrangements, opportunities for personal development, and a supportive team environment await you as you help drive sustainable transformation in the built environment.

• Shape and execute regional sourcing strategies for a high-impact industrial product category, influencing key decisions across APAC operations.
• Collaborate closely with engineering, quality, production, and procurement teams to ensure technical excellence and supply reliability.
• Enjoy a collaborative culture that values diversity, supports your professional growth, and encourages you to make a meaningful impact on sustainability in construction.

What you'll do:

As Category Sourcing Manager – Pipe, Valves and Fittings you will be at the forefront of developing sourcing strategies that directly impact manufacturing efficiency and project success throughout the Asia-Pacific region. Your day-to-day responsibilities will see you engaging with both internal stakeholders—such as engineering, production, quality assurance—and external partners including manufacturers and logistics providers. You will lead negotiations that set the foundation for reliable supply chains while continuously monitoring market developments to keep costs competitive. By managing supplier performance through audits and capability assessments, you will ensure only the best partners are selected. Your analytical approach will be essential in maintaining accurate data records and reporting tools that underpin effective decision-making. Success in this role means building trusted relationships across functions while delivering tangible improvements in cost management, supply reliability, and process efficiency.

• Develop and implement comprehensive sourcing strategies for the Pipe, Valves and Fittings category across multiple Asia-Pacific supply bases, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, and nurture strategic supplier relationships to secure cost competitiveness, continuity of supply, and risk mitigation across regional and international markets.
• Lead complex commercial negotiations with suppliers, drafting clear contractual agreements including pricing schedules, scope definitions, and technical annexes.
• Establish balanced supplier portfolios by driving rationalisation initiatives and fostering long-term partnerships that support evolving business needs.
• Monitor market trends for stainless steel pipes, valves, fittings, and related materials to inform cost management strategies and identify value-engineering opportunities.
• Conduct detailed supplier price benchmarking and cost analysis to support ongoing cost optimisation efforts in collaboration with engineering and procurement teams.
• Oversee supplier performance management by setting clear metrics for cost, quality, delivery, and conducting regular audits or factory visits as required.
• Work collaboratively with engineering on product design standardisation and sourcing feasibility while supporting procurement in supplier selection processes.
• Coordinate closely with quality assurance teams to ensure suppliers meet all QA requirements and improvement actions are implemented effectively.
• Maintain structured category data including supplier portfolios, contract templates, pricing models, dashboards, and ensure compliance with internal governance standards.

What you bring:

To excel as Category Sourcing Manager – Pipe, Valves and Fittings you will bring a wealth of experience from industrial procurement or category management roles where you have successfully navigated complex international supply chains. Your educational background provides a solid foundation for understanding both technical specifications and commercial imperatives. You are adept at building rapport with diverse stakeholders—from engineers focused on product details to suppliers negotiating contract terms—ensuring everyone works towards shared goals. Your analytical mindset allows you to interpret market signals quickly while your attention to detail ensures nothing slips through the cracks during contract reviews or performance assessments. Above all else your collaborative spirit fosters trust among colleagues; your curiosity drives continuous improvement; your commitment to ethical conduct sets a positive example for others. These qualities together enable you not only to manage but also elevate the PVF category’s contribution within a growing regional business.

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or a related field is required for this position.
• 7–12 years’ proven experience in procurement or category management within industrial or mechanical product categories such as piping systems or mechanical components is essential.
• Demonstrated expertise managing international supplier bases with significant exposure to Asian manufacturing ecosystems—especially China—is highly valued.
• Strong ability to draft, review, structure and negotiate complex supplier contracts including framework agreements and long-term supply arrangements is necessary.
• Deep understanding of cost structures related to raw materials, manufacturing processes, logistics flows for industrial components is expected from candidates.
• Advanced analytical skills with proficiency in Excel; familiarity with ERP systems such as SAP B1 or Navision would be advantageous.
• Excellent interpersonal skills enabling effective collaboration across engineering detail-oriented discussions as well as commercial negotiations are important.
• A collaborative mindset combined with resilience; able to thrive in fast-paced cross-functional environments where teamwork is paramount.
• Curiosity about markets and suppliers coupled with an eagerness to understand underlying cost drivers will help you excel in this role.
• Commitment to upholding ethical standards while contributing positively to an inclusive workplace culture is highly regarded.

What sets this company apart:

This organisation stands out for its unwavering commitment to creating an inclusive environment where every team member can thrive professionally while making a real difference in sustainable construction practices. The company’s focus on custom-manufactured solutions for commercial buildings and data centres means your work directly contributes to improving operational efficiency across some of the most innovative projects in the region. Here you’ll find a practical yet internationally oriented culture that values knowledge sharing across departments—engineering collaborates seamlessly with procurement; quality assurance works hand-in-hand with operations—all underpinned by strong ethics and integrity. Employees benefit from flexible working opportunities tailored around their needs alongside access to training programmes designed for continuous learning. As part of a growing APAC business unit you’ll enjoy exposure to new challenges daily while being supported by leadership committed to your personal development journey. Diversity is celebrated here: applications from under-represented groups are encouraged because varied perspectives drive better outcomes for everyone involved.

What's next:

If you are ready to take on a pivotal role shaping regional sourcing strategy within an inclusive team environment then this could be your next career move—apply now if you want your expertise recognised!

Apply today by clicking on the link provided—your future as Category Sourcing Manager awaits!

Due to the high volume of applications we are experiencing, our team will only be in touch with you if your application is shortlisted.