VIE - Buyer Installation Subcontractor

Purpose of the Job

Manage the end-to-end procurement of D&IS subcontracted works and services, from demand clarification and market sourcing through RFQ, negotiation, contract award, execution, claims, and close-out. The role ensures that subcontractors with the right capability, capacity, competitiveness, and local presence are selected and managed to achieve project Quality, Cost, Delivery, Performance, and EHS objectives.

Scope

The role may cover installation, construction, testing support, site services, specialist manpower, local engineering, repair or modification, and other project-specific subcontracted work packages across East Asia. The buyer may support multiple projects, countries, and D&IS technical scopes, with priorities assigned by the Hub Procurement Manager.

Key Responsibilities

Sourcing and Supplier Selection

• Engage early with project stakeholders to understand requirements, budget, schedule, interfaces, and risks.
• Challenge and clarify the Scope of Work, BOQ, Share of Responsibility, specifications, schedule, manpower assumptions, and acceptance criteria before RFQ launch.
• Identify, qualify, and develop competitive local and regional subcontractors.
• Prepare and issue complete RFQ packages.
• Coordinate technical, EHS, quality, commercial, contractual, and financial evaluations.
• Lead commercial analysis, negotiations, supplier selection, and Business Award approval.
• Maintain a transparent and auditable sourcing process.

Commercial and Contract Management

• Negotiate the total commercial package, including price, productivity, payment terms, mobilisation, warranty, bonds, insurance, liability, variation mechanisms, and performance remedies.
• Prepare, negotiate, and finalise contracts, purchase contracts, amendments, and other contractual documents with Legal support.
• Ensure all commitments comply with applicable Delegation of Authority, Power of Attorney, and procurement-system requirements.
• Secure clear contractual protection for scope, quantity, access, schedule, delay, performance, EHS, quality, and change risks.

Contract Execution and Supplier Performance

• Own procurement-side contract execution from award through final close-out.
• Complete a structured handover of contractual obligations, assumptions, risks, and open points to the project team.
• Monitor subcontractor mobilisation, progress, productivity, milestones, payment conditions, EHS, quality, NCRs, and commercial exposure.
• Lead recovery actions for underperforming subcontractors and prepare alternative sourcing or contractual remedies when required.
• Conduct supplier performance reviews based on project criticality, supplier maturity, and risk.
• Escalate issues early with facts, quantified impact, options, and a recommended solution.

Variations, Claims, and Reporting

• Maintain disciplined variation and claims management for assigned packages.
• Challenge unsupported supplier requests and negotiate approved changes.
• Lead procurement-owned supplier claims and support key claims with Project Procurement, Legal, and Contract Management.
• Maintain accurate records of savings, risks, claims, supplier performance, and procurement milestones.
• Contribute to subcontractor commodity strategy, market intelligence, supplier-panel development, and lessons learned.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Procurement, Supply Chain, Commercial Management, Construction Management, Business, or a related discipline.
• Relevant experience in project procurement, subcontracting, construction purchasing, or contract administration.
• Demonstrated capability in RFQ management, commercial evaluation, negotiation, contracting, and supplier performance management.
• Ability to understand and challenge BOQs, scopes, schedules, responsibility matrices, and technical-commercial interfaces.
• Knowledge of Source-to-Contract, Procure-to-Pay, contract variations, claims, and approval governance.
• Proficiency in Excel and procurement or ERP systems. SAP and Ariba experience is preferred.
• Experience in railway, infrastructure, signalling, electrical, telecom, or installation projects is an advantage.
• Professional working proficiency in English. Additional East Asian language capability is an advantage.

Key Competencies

• Strong ownership and accountability
• Commercial and contractual judgement
• Analytical and negotiation capability
• Constructive challenge and problem solving
• Supplier and stakeholder management
• Process discipline and attention to detail
• Ability to manage multiple priorities across countries and projects
• Cross-cultural communication and collaboration
• High ethical standards and commitment to compliance

Key Performance Indicators

• On-time RFQ, Business Award, contract placement, and subcontractor mobilisation
• Savings, cost avoidance, cash improvement, and claim recovery
• Contract value and forecast performance against validated budget
• Supplier delivery, EHS, quality, and corrective-action performance
• Variation and commercial-risk containment
• Procurement-system, approval, and audit compliance
• Development of qualified and competitive subcontractor alternatives