Category Lead/ Senior Category Lead

Job Purpose

You will be responsible for driving procurement processes and initiatives for SMRT. In this role, you will ensure the efficient and value-driven acquisition of critical hardware, spares and services that are critical to our infrastructure and operational continuity. Through strategic and operational sourcing, as well as category management, you will deliver impactful procurement outcomes that contribute to the organisation’s long-term goals. 

Responsibilities

•    Manage end-to-end procurement of spares and services.
•    Partner with business units to understand requirements, influence sourcing decisions, and drive alignment in tenders and contracts.
•    Oversee vendor relationships and contract lifecycle, ensuring compliance, performance, and strategic improvements.
•    Monitor procurement outcomes and drive continuous improvement and risk mitigation.
•    Formulate sourcing strategies and category plans for transport systems, including market analysis and supplier segmentation to optimize value and reduce risk.
•    Stay updated on industry trends and innovations to identify opportunities for cost savings and process enhancements.
•    Any other tasks as assigned by the Supervisor.

Qualifications & Work Experience

•    Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration or a closely-related technical field.
•    Fresh graduates are welcome to apply, as training and development opportunities will be provided. 
•    Relevant experience in a procurement/sourcing role would be an advantage.

Skills

Technical skills include:
•    Familiarity with Enterprise Resource Platforms (ERP) such as Ariba and SAP is an advantage.
•    Experience in developing, interpreting, and negotiating complex deals with a strong grasp of total cost of ownership (TCO) and value-based procurement would be an advantage.

Generic skills include:
•    Familiarity with contract law, international trade law, financial regulations, and outsourcing/vendor risk management is a plus.
•    Strong analytical skills with a track record of driving quality improvements and strategic decisions.
•    Effective in building strategic relationships with vendors, partners, and regulators; able to influence and collaborate across functions.
•    Able to learn and adapt to evolving technical and operational challenges, particularly in automotive spares procurement and contract management, with guidance and supervision. Exposure to or interest in the public transport industry would be an advantage.