DEPUTY PURCHASING MANAGER (Direct Materials)

JOB PURPOSE

• Responsible for managing daily purchasing operations to ensure uninterrupted production, through hands-on control of procurement activities and timely handling of urgent issues, while gradually developing purchasing systems, supplier strategies, and processes to minimize recurring emergencies and improve procurement efficiency, stability, and proactiveness.

JOB DESCRIPTION

1. Purchasing Operation Management (Core Function)

• Manage and control daily purchasing activities, focus mainly on direct materials, and also support indirect materials (MRO), including technical items such as molds, jigs, fixtures, spare parts, machinery, and quality inspection equipment, services, and CAPEX as assigned.
• Handle urgent purchasing issues related to material shortages, delivery delays, quality problems, price fluctuations, and production plan changes.
• Ensure continuous supply for production, minimizing risks of line stoppage caused by purchasing issues.
• Work closely with Engineering, Maintenance, Quality, and Production teams to clarify technical specifications, drawings, material requirements, and acceptance criteria for technical purchasing items.
• Lead supplier negotiations and issue resolution for critical or escalated cases.

2. Team Management & Daily Control

• Manage, assign, and supervise the purchasing team’s daily activities.
• Review PR/PO execution, delivery status, price deviations, and supplier commitments.
• Act as the decision point for purchasing issues beyond buyer/supervisor authority.
• Coach and guide team members in handling operational and urgent purchasing situations

3. System & Process Improvement

• Review and analyze root causes of recurring purchasing issues such as frequent urgent orders, supply instability, or long lead times.
• Develop, update, and improve purchasing procedures, SOPs, and workflows (PR-PO, supplier selection, approval matrix).
• Improve coordination between purchasing and other departments to increase planning accuracy and purchasing proactiveness.
• Gradually reduce dependency on urgent purchasing through system and process improvements.

4. Supplier Management & Practical Sourcing Strategy

• Select, evaluate, and manage suppliers based on quality, delivery, cost, and capacity.
• Develop backup suppliers and alternative materials for critical items to reduce supply risk.
• Monitor supplier performance and work with suppliers to improve delivery reliability and cost effectiveness.
• Maintain long-term and stable supplier relationships to support production continuity.

5. Cost Control & Risk Management

• Control purchasing costs and monitor price movements and market trends affecting materials and services.
• Lead or participate in cost saving and cost avoidance initiatives.
• Identify supply chain risks related to supplier capacity, lead time, logistics, and market volatility.
• Propose and implement actions to mitigate purchasing and supply risks.

6. Compliance & Purchasing Governance

• Ensure purchasing activities comply with internal procedures, company policies, and relevant legal requirements.
• Ensure proper documentation, approvals, and records for purchasing transactions.
• Support internal and external audits related to purchasing activities when required.
• Maintain transparency, accuracy, and integrity in purchasing operations.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or related fields.
• Minimum 7-10 years of experience in purchasing/procurement within a manufacturing environment (local & overseas).
• Solid hands-on experience in operational purchasing, including handling urgent supply issues.
• Experience in managing purchasing teams and cross-functional coordination.
• [MUST] Solid hands-on experience in purchasing direct materials (main materials) for manufacturing plants.
• Experience with ERP systems (SAP) and purchasing processes is required.

Skills and Competencies

• Ability to understand technical specifications, drawings, and material requirements for molds, jigs, fixtures, machinery, and spare parts.
• Experience working with Engineering and Maintenance teams in technical sourcing and supplier evaluation.
• Strong operation mindset with the ability to work under pressure.
• Practical problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Good negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Strong coordination and communication skills with cross-functional teams.
• Ability to balance daily operational control and continuous improvement.
• Proficiency in MS Office and ERP systems (SAP).
• High sense of responsibility, integrity, and ownership.

* WHAT WE OFFER:

• Health care insurance + for family (after probation)
• Long year services award
• Public holidays and company day bonus
• Annual performance bonus
• Year end bonus
• Team dinner
• Provided with on-the-job training, technical skills development, and company-specific industry courses.

* OTHER INFORMATION:

• Off all Saturdays, leave office at 4 pm on Friday.
• Free Shuttle bus from Ho Chi Minh / Bien Hoa / Ba Ria.