Head of Procurement (Retail)

OVERVIEW
Our client is a well-established and diversified organization seeking an experienced Head of Procurement to lead its end-to-end procurement function. Reporting to the CFO, this role will be responsible for transforming procurement into a strategic business partner by driving sourcing excellence, category management, supplier strategy, commercial negotiations, and procurement capability development. The successful candidate will play a pivotal role in delivering value creation, strengthening supplier ecosystems, supporting business growth initiatives, and building a high-performing procurement team.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Procurement Leadership & Transformation: Lead the overall procurement function, define strategic priorities, and elevate procurement from a transactional purchasing role into a value-creating, commercially focused business partner.
• Strategic Sourcing & Category Management: Develop and execute sourcing strategies across key spend categories, leveraging market intelligence, demand aggregation, supplier rationalization, and total cost of ownership principles.
• Commercial Negotiation & Value Delivery: Lead critical supplier negotiations and deliver measurable value through cost optimization, commercial enhancements, working capital improvements, and risk mitigation initiatives.
• Supplier Strategy & Performance Management: Establish supplier strategies, strengthen supplier relationships, monitor performance, and develop a resilient and competitive supplier ecosystem aligned with business needs.
• Tendering, Contracting & Governance: Oversee major sourcing events, tenders, and contracts while ensuring strong governance, commercial rigor, policy compliance, and effective risk management.
• Business Partnering & Stakeholder Engagement: Collaborate closely with business leaders to understand operational requirements, influence sourcing decisions, and provide commercially sound recommendations that support strategic objectives.
• Procurement Operations & Continuous Improvement: Enhance procurement processes, reporting, KPIs, systems, and governance frameworks to improve efficiency, visibility, decision-making, and overall procurement effectiveness.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

• Extensive Procurement Leadership Experience: Minimum 15 years of procurement experience, including leadership of procurement teams and ownership of broad procurement portfolios in complex business environments.
• Strategic Sourcing & Category Management Expertise: Proven track record in developing sourcing strategies, driving category management initiatives, delivering savings, and enhancing procurement value.
• Strong Commercial & Negotiation Skills: Demonstrated ability to lead high-value negotiations, structure commercial agreements, and achieve favorable business outcomes while managing procurement risks.
• Technical & Stakeholder Management Capability: Experience managing indirect, project-based, recurring, and technically complex procurement, coupled with the ability to influence senior stakeholders and cross-functional teams.
• Relevant Academic Background: Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Procurement, Finance, Engineering, Quantity Surveying, or a related discipline. Professional procurement qualifications will be an added advantage.

WHY JOIN THIS ORGANIZATION
This is a unique opportunity to shape and lead the procurement transformation agenda of a growing organization. The role offers significant visibility with senior leadership, the ability to influence strategic business decisions, and the chance to build a best-in-class procurement function that drives commercial value, operational excellence, and long-term business growth.

*Only open for Malaysian candidates or those with valid work authorization.