At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead strategic sourcing and supplier development for industrial filtration materials across APAC.
- Company: Join Alkegen, a leader in specialty materials focused on sustainability and innovation.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, diverse culture, and opportunities for professional growth.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in a global company dedicated to greener living and innovative solutions.
- Qualifications: Bachelor's degree and 5-7 years in procurement or category management required.
- Other info: Dynamic work environment with a commitment to diversity and inclusion.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
Alkegen brings together two of the world's leading specialty materials companies to create one new, innovation-driven leader focused on battery technologies, filtration media, and specialty insulation and sealing materials. Through global reach and breakthrough inventions, we're delivering products that enable the world to breathe easier, live greener, and go further than ever before. With over 60 manufacturing facilities and a global workforce of over 9,000 of the industry's most experienced talent, including insulation and filtration experts, Alkegen is uniquely positioned to help customers impact the environment in meaningful ways.
Alkegen offers a range of dynamic career opportunities with globe-spanning reach. From production operators to engineers, technicians to specialists, sales to leadership, we're always looking for top talent ready to bring their best. Come grow with us!
About the Role
The Procurement Category Manager – APAC (Industrial Filtration) plays a key strategic role in developing and executing sourcing strategies for raw materials and commodities across the region. This position supports Alkegen's Industrial Filtration business globally by identifying, developing, and managing supplier relationships that deliver competitive cost, quality, and supply reliability.
The role requires strong commercial acumen, technical understanding of non-woven and filtration materials such as polypropylene, polyester fibres, melt blown media, additives, binders, and scrims, and the ability to work cross-functionally with Production, R&D, Quality, and Commercial teams to drive total cost of ownership improvements and supplier performance excellence.
Key Responsibilities
- Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Development
- Act as the subject matter expert for assigned material categories within the Industrial Filtration business.
- Develop and execute multi-year category strategies to achieve cost, quality, and risk reduction targets.
- Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers across China and APAC to strengthen Alkegen's supply base.
- Leverage Alkegen's global footprint to negotiate favourable terms and optimize total cost of ownership.
- Conduct market analysis and benchmarking to stay informed of trends, pricing, and competitive activity.
- Perform on-site supplier assessments and lead corrective action plans for quality or delivery issues.
- Operational Procurement & Market Intelligence
- Support site Purchasing Managers with purchase order placement, order confirmations, and delivery tracking.
- Coordinate monthly calls with regional Purchasing Managers to update commodity pricing and market trends.
- Monitor key raw material prices (fibres, chemicals, scrims) and provide regular pricing updates to global teams.
- Assist with supplier quotations and cost breakdowns for new business bids and tenders.
- Consolidate global raw material SKUs where feasible to drive efficiency and cost reduction.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Partner with Production, Application Engineering, and Commercial teams to identify alternate raw materials and technical solutions.
- Support the Global Quality and Operations teams in resolving vendor quality issues.
- Lead or participate in supplier selection, RFQ issuance, and contract negotiation processes.
- Coordinate raw material sampling and testing with global manufacturing sites.
- Ensure adherence to Alkegen's New Supplier Approval process and procurement governance standards.
- Category Excellence & Process Improvement
- Develop and maintain detailed category plans, including milestones, savings targets, and implementation roadmaps.
- Monitor supplier performance and compliance with contracts and procurement policies.
- Drive continuous improvement and promote best practices in sourcing and supplier management.
- Participate in trade shows and industry forums to identify innovation opportunities and emerging suppliers.
Qualifications and Experience
- Bachelor's degree or above in Materials Science, Chemistry, Engineering, or Textiles (or related field).
- 5–7 years' experience in procurement, sourcing, or category management, ideally within industrial materials, filtration, or textiles.
- Experience managing suppliers across China/APAC in a global manufacturing environment.
- Strong negotiation, analytical, and project management skills.
- Proven ability to manage complex supplier relationships and deliver measurable cost savings.
- Familiarity with procurement systems and tools (e.g., ERP, Tableau, Excel).
- Fluent in Mandarin and English (written and verbal).
- Excellent interpersonal, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
If you are interested in being part of a world-class organization here at Alkegen then we would love to hear from you.
At Alkegen, we strive every day to help people – ALL PEOPLE – breathe easier, live greener and go further than ever before. We believe that diversity and inclusion is central to this mission and to our impact. Our diverse and inclusive culture drives our growth & innovation and we nurture it by actively embracing our differences and using our varied perspectives to solve the complex challenges facing our changing and diverse world.
Employment selection and related decisions are made without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, nation of origin, religion, color, gender identity and expression, age, disability, education, opinions, culture, languages spoken, veteran's status, or any other protected class.
Alkegen is a specialty materials leader serving mission-critical systems that the world is focused on for the future, including: battery technologies, electric vehicles, filtration media, and specialty insulation materials that enable customers to reduce fossil fuel consumption, save energy, and live greener.
We help people breathe easier, live greener, and go further than ever before. Our experience speaks for itself. We are a vertically integrated manufacturer with the global reach and talent to solve your most demanding applications. With 60 manufacturing facilities and 9,000+ highly skilled employees located around the world, we can solve any challenge. Dedicated to sustainability and human health, we are uniquely positioned to help customers impact the environment in meaningful ways.
IF - Procurement Manager in Macclesfield employer: Alkegen company
Contact Detail:
Alkegen company Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land IF - Procurement Manager in Macclesfield
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to people in your industry, especially those who work at Alkegen or similar companies. A friendly chat can open doors and give you insider info that could help you stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the company and its products. Understand their mission and values, and think about how your skills in procurement can contribute to their goals. Show them you’re not just another candidate!
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your negotiation skills! As a Procurement Manager, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to negotiate effectively. Role-play with a friend or use online resources to sharpen those skills before the big day.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets noticed. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in joining Alkegen and being part of their mission.
We think you need these skills to ace IF - Procurement Manager in Macclesfield
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Procurement Manager role. Highlight relevant experience in procurement, sourcing, and supplier management, especially within industrial materials or filtration. We want to see how your skills align with our needs!
Craft a Compelling Cover Letter: Your cover letter is your chance to shine! Use it to explain why you're passionate about this role and how your background makes you a perfect fit for Alkegen. Don’t forget to mention your experience with cross-functional collaboration and negotiation skills.
Showcase Your Achievements: When detailing your experience, focus on specific achievements that demonstrate your ability to deliver cost savings and improve supplier performance. Numbers speak volumes, so include metrics where possible to back up your claims!
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply directly through our website for the best chance of being noticed. It’s super easy, and you’ll be able to keep track of your application status. Plus, we love seeing candidates who take the initiative!
How to prepare for a job interview at Alkegen company
✨Know Your Materials
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of non-woven and filtration materials like polypropylene and polyester fibres. Being able to discuss these in detail will show that you understand the technical aspects of the role and can speak the same language as the team.
✨Showcase Your Supplier Management Skills
Prepare examples of how you've successfully managed supplier relationships in the past. Highlight any cost savings or improvements you've achieved, as this will demonstrate your ability to deliver results in a procurement role.
✨Be Ready for Cross-Functional Collaboration
Think about times when you've worked with different teams, such as Production or R&D. Be ready to discuss how you can bridge gaps between departments and drive total cost of ownership improvements, as this is key for the Procurement Manager position.
✨Stay Informed on Market Trends
Research current trends in the industrial filtration market and be prepared to discuss them. Showing that you're proactive about market intelligence will impress interviewers and prove that you're serious about contributing to Alkegen's success.