PURPOSE OF THE JOB

The Purchasing Assistant Manager for the Beauty Division in Southeast Asia will support the Senior Purchasing Manager in managing indirect procurement activities across the region. This role involves executing procurement strategies aligned with the Beauty Division's purchasing roadmap and overall Southeast Asia strategic objectives, adhering to LVMH group standards. The Purchaser will be responsible for operational purchasing for specific categories and will collaborate with key stakeholders to ensure efficient, cost-effective, and high-quality procurement practices.

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES

Purchasing Responsibility (Southeast Asia, Beauty Division):

• Support end-to-end ownership for all purchasing activities in assigned categories for the Beauty Division across the Southeast Asia region.
• Assist in developing, implementing, and managing sourcing strategies aligned with business needs and Maisons dynamics in SEA.
• Conduct comprehensive analysis for cost-saving opportunities.

Supplier Relationship & Performance Management:

• Manage a portfolio of suppliers, building strong, collaborative partnerships.
• Negotiate favorable terms, pricing, contracts, and service level agreements (SLAs) with suppliers.
• Monitor and evaluate supplier performance regularly, addressing any issues and driving continuous improvement.

Operational Purchasing - Assigned Categories:

• Lead the operational procurement of assigned categories including General Expenses, Events & Seminars, Tech, Human Resources, IS, Transport & Logistics, Marketing & Communication, which may evolve based on business needs, for the Beauty Division in Southeast Asia.
• Oversee the entire purchasing cycle for these categories, from requisition to order placement, delivery.
• Ensure adherence to budget for all purchases.

Stakeholder Management:

• Cultivate and maintain strong relationships with critical internal stakeholders, including Marketing, Sales, Brand Management, Finance, and Supply Chain teams within the Beauty Division and across Southeast Asia.
• Collaborate effectively to understand requirements, manage expectations, and ensure seamless execution of purchasing initiatives.
• Act as a primary point of contact for purchasing-related queries and escalations from internal departments for assigned categories.

REPORTING

Operational: Senior Purchasing Manager SEA

SPECIFICATIONS

Key Competencies:

• Strong Communication & Interpersonal Skills: Demonstrated emotional intelligence, active listening, and influencing abilities to effectively collaborate with diverse internal stakeholders (e.g., Marketing, Finance, Sales...) and external suppliers.

• Proactive & Initiative-Driven: Possesses a strong sense of urgency and takes initiative to anticipate needs, identify opportunities, and drive solutions in a fast-paced environment.

• Business Acumen & Results Orientation: Strong strategic business understanding combined with a focus on quantitative results, KPI measurement, and achieving procurement objectives.

• Change Management Capability: Ability to effectively implement new processes, champion change initiatives, and guide stakeholders through transitions.

• Strong Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills: Proficient in data analysis, market research, and problem-solving to make informed decisions and optimize purchasing strategies.

Technical Skills:

• Good Negotiation Skills: Track record of successful negotiation, contract finalization, and value creation with suppliers.

• Excellent English Proficiency: Fluent in written and spoken English for effective communication within the regional and international business context.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite: Advanced skills in Word, Excel (e.g., pivot tables, VLOOKUP), and PowerPoint for reporting, analysis, and presentations.

Would be an Advantage (but not mandatory):

• Specialized Industry Experience: Prior experience in Indirect Purchasing, and/or within the Perfumes & Cosmetics industry (or a similar relevant field).

• Sustainable & Ethical Procurement Knowledge: Experience with Sustainability, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives, and conducting Supplier Audits (ethical, social, and environmental).

• Advanced Systems Proficiency: Familiarity or experience with ERP systems such as SAP, Microsoft Dynamics AX, Business Intelligence (BI) tools, and/or Source-to-Pay (S2P) platforms.

Profile:

• Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, or a closely related field.

• Purchasing Education: Specialized purchasing certifications or studies would be considered a significant asset, but are not mandatory.

• Professional Experience: 2 to 5 years of progressive purchasing experience in indirect procurement.