Senior Procurement Specialist (5+)

Priority category exposure: IT, SaaS, telecommunications and professional services

Position purpose

Create measurable procurement value while progressively assuming ownership of assigned categories. The role combines disciplined procurement operations with independent delivery of medium-to-large sourcing projects, strong commercial analysis and effective supplier negotiation.

Based in Bishkek and reporting to the Vietnam Procurement Manager, the Senior Procurement Specialist supports local business needs as part of the Global Procurement Team. The role converts stakeholder requirements into sourcing actions, maintains reliable PR, PO and supplier data, and ensures each recommendation aligns with company policy, business priorities and applicable local requirements.

Key responsibilitiesStrategic sourcing and category management

• Partner with business stakeholders to clarify demand, specifications, budget, timeline, evaluation criteria and commercial priorities before approaching the market.
• Independently plan and deliver medium-to-large sourcing projects from market assessment and supplier identification through RFx, evaluation, negotiation, award recommendation and implementation handover.
• Analyze spend, supply markets, demand patterns, supplier concentration and commercial risks for assigned categories, with priority exposure in IT, SaaS, telecommunications and professional services.
• Build and maintain sourcing pipelines and category plans that identify renewal dates, demand consolidation opportunities, alternative sources and risk mitigation actions.
• Progressively assume end-to-end ownership of assigned categories, including stakeholder plans, supplier strategy, contract coverage, value delivery and performance reporting.
• Frame sourcing decisions using a clear Issue, Analysis and Recommendation approach so stakeholders can act on the evidence presented.

Sourcing events and commercial negotiation

• Design and run RFI, RFP and RFQ events with clear scopes, bidder instructions, timelines, evaluation criteria and governance.
• Execute low-value RFQs and tactical sourcing efficiently while applying the appropriate level of competition, documentation and approval.
• Prepare bid comparisons, total cost of ownership analyses, cost models and commercial scenarios covering price, payment terms, service levels, delivery, implementation, renewals and contractual risk.
• Lead negotiations for assigned projects and support the Procurement Manager in complex or strategically sensitive negotiations with local and international suppliers.
• Produce evidence-based award recommendations and maintain a complete audit trail of bids, evaluations, approvals and supplier communications.

Procurement operations

• Review Purchase Requisitions for complete specifications, budget confirmation, required approvals, supporting quotations and policy compliance.
• Complete approved-vendor purchases and issue accurate Purchase Orders through the applicable procurement or ERP process within agreed service levels.
• Follow orders through acknowledgement, delivery, goods or service receipt, documentation and payment readiness; provide stakeholders with clear status updates and early risk warnings.
• Coordinate with suppliers, requestors, Finance and Accounting to resolve supply, delivery, quality, invoice or documentation issues through closure.
• Support compliant cross-border procurement, including import and export requirements, duties and taxes, Incoterms and logistics optimization where applicable.

Supplier lifecycle and master data

• Identify, screen and qualify local and international suppliers and administer onboarding in line with due diligence and approval requirements.
• Create and maintain accurate supplier master data, supporting records, banking and tax documentation and authorized change evidence.
• Monitor supplier performance across quality, cost, delivery, service and compliance; coordinate reviews and corrective actions where performance falls short.
• Maintain visibility of contracts, renewals and supplier risks and escalate potential business disruption, dependency or compliance concerns early.
• Develop constructive supplier relationships that support service continuity, cost improvement, innovation and resolution of operational issues.

Cross regional coordination

• Execute global procurement strategies and sourcing initiatives locally while reflecting Kyrgyzstan market conditions and business requirements.
• Work with regional and global Procurement colleagues to align processes, supplier decisions, commercial terms and reporting.
• Collaborate with Finance, Accounting, Legal, IT, Information Security, Operations and budget owners to complete due diligence, contracting, approval and implementation activities.
• Support business projects such as office setup, capital expenditure, new product introductions and other operational procurement requirements as assigned.

Reporting compliance and improvement

• Track procurement KPIs, spend trends, sourcing pipeline, savings and cost avoidance, supplier performance, contract status and delivery risks; provide concise management reporting.
• Ensure procurement activity complies with company policies, delegated authority, internal controls, audit requirements and applicable local regulations.
• Maintain complete sourcing, approval, contract, supplier and transactional records with appropriate confidentiality and data protection.
• Identify recurring process or service issues, analyze root causes and recommend practical improvements to templates, workflows, data quality and stakeholder guidance.
• Perform other procurement duties and projects assigned by the Vietnam Procurement Manager within the scope of the role.

Decision authority

• Manage assigned sourcing projects and tactical purchases independently within company policy and delegated authority.
• Recommend supplier selection, negotiation positions, risk mitigations and category actions; final commitments remain subject to the applicable approval matrix and contract authorization.
• Escalate material commercial, legal, compliance, information security, supplier or continuity risks before an award or commitment is made.

Measures of success

Performance will be assessed against agreed targets in the following areas:

Value delivery: Validated savings, cost avoidance and commercial value from sourcing and negotiation initiatives

Sourcing delivery: Projects completed to plan with clear analysis, sound recommendations and timely stakeholder decisions

Operational service: PR and PO turnaround, on-time delivery follow-up and timely resolution of purchasing issues

Compliance and data: Use of approved suppliers, complete sourcing records and accurate supplier master and contract data

Supplier performance: Quality, delivery, service and corrective actions tracked against agreed expectations

Category progress: Assigned category plans, sourcing pipeline, renewal visibility and spend coverage advanced as agreed

Qualifications and experience

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Procurement, Business Administration, Engineering, Finance or a related discipline.
• Five to eight years of relevant experience in procurement, strategic sourcing or category management.
• Demonstrated experience independently delivering medium-to-large sourcing projects and presenting commercial recommendations to stakeholders.
• Strong practical experience with RFP and RFQ processes, commercial analysis, supplier evaluation and negotiation.
• Experience with IT, SaaS, telecommunications or professional services categories is strongly preferred.
• Experience in an international company, indirect procurement or project procurement is preferred.
• Experience with supplier onboarding, contract administration and Source-to-Pay processes is required; exposure to cross-border procurement and import or export coordination is an advantage.

Technical capabilities

• Commercial evaluation, total cost of ownership analysis, cost modeling, negotiation planning and supplier award recommendations.
• Spend, supplier and performance analysis using Excel or equivalent spreadsheet tools; ability to present findings clearly to decision makers.
• Working knowledge of ERP, e-procurement or Source-to-Pay systems and disciplined management of transactional and master data.
• Understanding of contract lifecycles, service levels, renewals, supplier risk, procurement controls and audit-ready documentation.

Professional competencies

• Commercial judgment and the ability to balance cost, quality, service, delivery and risk.
• Structured problem solving that turns operational issues and data into clear recommendations.
• Strong stakeholder management, communication and influencing skills across functions, countries and levels of seniority.
• Ownership and follow-through, with the ability to manage several priorities and maintain momentum in a fast-paced environment.
• Integrity, confidentiality, attention to detail and consistent adherence to procurement governance.
• Confidence working independently while seeking timely guidance on decisions outside delegated authority.

Language requirements

• Vietnamese and English at business proficiency are mandatory for stakeholder communication, supplier negotiation and commercial documentation.

Working relationships

• Internal stakeholders include the Vietnam Procurement Manager, Global and Regional Procurement, Finance, Accounting, Legal, IT, Information Security, Operations, project teams and budget owners.
• External stakeholders include approved suppliers, prospective bidders, service providers, logistics partners and other third parties involved in procurement delivery.