Category Manager - Regional Category Development

Location:

Batu Kawan, MY

Employment Type: Permanent

BE GREAT TOGETHER WITH US.

Innovation, Efficiency and Ambition: this is what VAT has stood for over 50 years.

With this passion, VAT has grown to become the leading international developer, manufacturer and supplier of high-performance high-end vacuum valves and vacuum sealing technology, employing over 2000 people worldwide. The headquarters are located in Haag (Switzerland), the production centers in Switzerland, Malaysia, Romania and Taiwan.

The Regional Category Development Manager is a strategic leadership role responsible for driving regional supplier ecosystem development, machining hub expansion, and supply chain capability growth to support the company's long-term manufacturing and business objectives.

This role will lead strategic sourcing and supplier development initiatives across machining and selected non-machining categories, with strong focus on China supply chain strategy, regional capacity readiness, supplier qualification, and value chain optimization.

The incumbent will work cross-functionally with Global & Regional Category Management, Supply Chain, Product Engineering, Supplier Quality, and Business Units to strengthen supplier competitiveness, accelerate industrialization readiness, improve supply resilience, and enable scalable growth across the regional supply network.

Your Responsibilities Will Include, But Not Limited To

Regional Supplier & Machining Hub Development

• Lead strategic sourcing, qualification, and development of regional machining hubs, including treatment capabilities, to support long-term external manufacturing capacity growth plans.
• Develop and execute regional supplier development strategies aligned with business expansion, operational scalability, and supply chain resilience objectives.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard high-performing machining suppliers with strong technical capability, operational maturity, and growth potential.
• Drive machining ecosystem expansion and supplier readiness programs to support future demand ramp and operational continuity.
• Partner with suppliers on capability enhancement, technology adoption, process improvement, and operational scalability initiatives.
  
  

China Supply Chain Strategy & Localization

• Support and execute regional sourcing and supplier localization strategies aligned with the company's China and Asia supply chain objectives.
• Strengthen regional supply base competitiveness through strategic supplier footprint development, localization programs, and Best Cost Country sourcing initiatives.
• Collaborate with Global and Regional Category Managers to optimize sourcing allocation, supply flexibility, and geopolitical risk mitigation.
• Monitor regional market trends, industry developments, supply risks, and investment opportunities to support long-term sourcing strategy.
  
  

Supplier Qualification & Industrialization

• Lead supplier qualification and industrialization activities for both machining and selected non-machining sub-tier suppliers.
• Drive new supplier site qualification programs including capability assessment, process validation, quality readiness, operational compliance, and production ramp readiness.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure successful supplier onboarding and timely execution of qualification milestones.
• Support Make–Buy transfer, dual sourcing, and supply continuity programs where required.
  
  

Value Chain Process Improvement & Supply Chain Optimization

• Lead special projects focused on value chain enhancement, operational efficiency, and supply chain optimization.
• Drive implementation of strategic initiatives such as stocking strategy, inventory optimization, supplier collaboration models, lead-time reduction, and supply flexibility improvements.
• Identify opportunities to improve end-to-end supply chain responsiveness, working capital efficiency, and operational resilience.
• Support development of scalable supplier governance and performance management frameworks.
  
  

Cross-Functional Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Act as a strategic business partner to Supply Chain, Product Engineering, Supplier Quality, and Business Units.
• Lead and coordinate cross-functional supplier development initiatives and regional strategic projects.
• Provide executive-level visibility on supplier readiness, qualification progress, regional capacity outlook, and risk mitigation plans.
• Foster strong supplier partnerships and collaborative engagement models to support long-term mutual growth.
  
  

Supplier Performance & Continuous Improvement

• Drive supplier performance improvements in Quality, Delivery, Cost, Capacity, and Responsiveness.
• Promote continuous improvement culture across supplier ecosystem through operational excellence initiatives and structured development programs.
• Ensure suppliers comply with company standards, regulatory requirements, RBA-ESG expectations, and quality management systems.
• Support sustainable and competitive supply base development aligned with company growth strategy.
  
  

Strategic Contribution

• Contribute actively to the global and regional Category Management strategy and supply chain transformation initiatives.
• Provide forward-looking insights on supply market trends, supplier capabilities, emerging technologies, and business risks.
• Support long-term manufacturing competitiveness through proactive supplier ecosystem development and strategic capacity planning.
  
  

Minimum Qualification

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, Procurement, Industrial Engineering, Business, or related discipline.
• Minimum 15 years of experience in category management, supplier development, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management within a global organization.
• Proven experience in machining supplier development, manufacturing sourcing, and regional supply chain management.
• Strong understanding of machining processes, supplier industrialization, manufacturing operations, and supply chain optimization.
• Demonstrated experience managing aggressive supplier qualification, new site onboarding, and strategic sourcing projects.
• Strong project management, communication, and stakeholder management skills with ability to lead complex cross-functional initiatives.
• Strong analytical and strategic thinking capabilities with ability to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment.
• Fluent in English, both written and spoken.
  
  

Preferred Qualification

• Experience in semiconductor, high precision machining, or advanced manufacturing industries.
• Strong exposure to China, Vietnam, Thailand and Asia supply chain ecosystem and localization strategies.
• Experience managing machining hub development and supplier ecosystem expansion programs.
• Familiarity with inventory optimization, stocking strategy, VMI/VCS, or supply chain collaboration models.
• Experience in supplier transfer, Make–Buy projects, and dual sourcing implementation.
• Knowledge of Lean Manufacturing, Operational Excellence, and Continuous Improvement methodologies.
• Experience working within matrix global organizations and multicultural environments.
• Additional language proficiency in Chinese or German is an added advantage.
  
  

VAT is an equal opportunity employer. We see ourselves as a responsible and far-sighted employer that offers not only jobs, but also career and personal development opportunities through various training programs. We recognize the value of employee diversity and provide equal employment opportunity for all qualified application that contributes to innovation, improves customer orientation and employee satisfaction. One-step in this direction is to ensure that people are recognized and fairly compensated for their contributions to the company. In 2021, VAT received the Fair-ON-Pay+ certificate as an acknowledgement for our commitment in ensuring equal pay for equal work between men and women.