Purchasing Manager – Indirect Category

Feste Anstellung, unbefristet

Line Manager: Senior Director Purchasing Asia

Functional Manager: Senior Department Manager Purchasing NPM & PUR Excellence of HQ

About AIXTRON

AIXTRON is a technology and innovation-driven market leader in deposition equipment (MOCVD) for third-generation semiconductor materials such as GaN, SiC and GaAs—critical enablers for energy efficiency, data communications and AI infrastructure. Headquartered in Herzogenrath, Germany, we hold the #1 market position in each of the markets we serve and build some of the industry’s most sophisticated high-tech systems. What sets us apart is how we combine deep technology focus, customer orientation and speed of innovation with strong team spirit, agility and a collaborative company culture. Learn more at www.aixtron.com.

AIXTRON’s new manufacturing & engineering hub in Malaysia

We are building a new greenfield manufacturing and engineering hub in Batu Kawan, Penang. The site will provide a state-of-the-art cleanroom environment for assembly & test of our high-end systems and will contribute to engineering the next generation of products. Operations are planned to start in 2027 with rapid ramp-up. Beyond technology, the new location is designed as a modern workplace with state-of-the art office and amenities  — built to foster collaboration and a strong focus on people’s wellbeing.

Who we are looking for

We are looking for purpose-driven builders: hands-on professionals with entrepreneurial spirit who enjoy setting up structures, improving processes and taking ownership in a fast-moving environment. As pioneers of our Malaysia site, you will help to shape not only your function, but also how we work together locally — while being connected to a global team of around 1,000 employees from ~60 nationalities across Asia, Europe and the US. We offer competitive benefits, outstanding technical expertise, development opportunities and training.

Responsibilities

Greenfield Setup

• Collaborate with Facility, Operations, Engineering, IT, Administration, Finance for large-scale sourcing and procurement of building infrastructure and service.
• Identify supply bottlenecks impacting project timeline and monitor contractor performance against milestones.
• Support Capex budgeting and tracking, ensure transparency of project spend.
• Establish long-term contracts for MRO, facility services, indirect consumables and utilities.

Category Strategy & Planning

• Define, develop and implement all non-production and service procurement category strategies for AIXTRON Malaysia in alignment with Global Indirect Procurement to support ramping up planning and maintain sustained operations.
• Collaborate with Global Indirect Purchasing on global initiatives for non-production and service procurement
• Conduct market and supplier analysis with respect to cost drivers, risks, innovations, capacity.
• Identify savings opportunities and value improvement initiatives

Strategic Sourcing

• Lead supplier selection processes from RFQs/RFPs and contract award.
• Conduct commercial and contractual negotiations
• Manage framework agreements with regional/international suppliers
• Continuously drive total cost of ownership (TCO) optimization

Supplier Management

• Establish and maintain strategic supplier network and relationships
• Monitor supplier performance with respect to cost, quality, delivery, service.
• Lead business reviews to identify improvement potential and to conduct Continuous Improvement Projects (CIP).

Team and Performance Management

• Directly lead, train and supervise the daily operation of the indirect purchasing team.
• Allocate responsibilities and ensure workload balance
• Coach and mentor team members to strengthen negotiation, analytical, and strategic skills

Risk & Compliance Management

• Identify and mitigate supply risks and bottlenecks.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, governance standards and sourcing procedures
• Monitor contractual obligations, supplier compliance, team integrity.
• Ensure accurate and complete documentation for audit readiness.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Manage budget owner’s demands and guide requirements to achieve best supply solution.
• Align sourcing decisions with relevant stakeholders.

Qualifications and Skills Required 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Mechanical, Electrical, Supply Chain, or related disciplines.
• 10-12 years of procurement or strategic sourcing experience, with at least 5 years in a leadership role in small to mid-sized teams in international manufacturing companies.
• Strong negotiation and contract management skills
• Analytical mindset with strong data interpretation capabilities

• Good interpersonal communication with influencing skills; ability to quickly learn diverse fields and work with various internal groups.
• Proficiency in SAP and Coupa is preferred.
• Fluent in English; Bahasa Malaysia and Mandarin proficiency is a plus.

Working Conditions & Environment

·       Role based at AIXTRON Malaysia Sdn. Bhd.

·       Majority of the work is at Batu Kawan site.

• Visits to supplier locations will be requested as needed.

·       Occasional travel, to Headquarters in Germany or other regional sites.