Procurement Manager - India

India is a key market within the APAC region, showing strong growth in both volume and value. Procurement plays a critical role in driving this growth agenda. As the Procurement Manager for India, you will lead the procurement activities for Coatings division, managing a team of Procurement Specialists. You will be responsible for executing local sourcing strategies and serving as the primary interface between local business units, suppliers, and operational sites. This role is pivotal in ensuring that procurement aligns with the organization’s strategic objectives in India.

Act as the organization's primary interface for all direct and indirect goods suppliers.

Lead effective execution of Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) initiatives and supplier collaboration projects.

Serve as the key procurement liaison with the business team and regional stakeholders, and as the first point of escalation for local procurement issues.

Play an active role in the Integrated Business Planning (IBP) process within the region.

Drive local change management and continuous improvement projects to enhance supplier performance in terms of Quality, Delivery, Cost, Innovation, and Sustainability (QDCIS).

Manage local and plant-specific suppliers, ensuring alignment with organizational goals.

Develop strategies and lead negotiations for tail spend materials within the region.

This role is essential in executing local sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring procurement aligns with the company’s growth and operational goals in India.

Responsibilities :

Sourcing Strategy Execution : Responsible for executing sourcing strategies for raw materials (RM) and packaging materials (PM), and managing supply risk to ensure business continuity.

Supply Management : Oversee RM and PM supply management and develop strategies to mitigate supply risks.

Business Team Membership : Serve as a member of the Country / Business Management Team in India, providing procurement insights and contributing to key business decisions.

IBP Contribution : Act as a key contributor and procurement network holder for the country’s Integrated Business Planning (IBP) process.

Savings Delivery : Collaborate with the sourcing team to deliver savings in Procurement Requests (PR) and Non-Product Related (NPR) spending.

Tail Spend Management : Fully manage tail spend for the country, ensuring cost-efficiency and supplier performance.

Operational Management : Oversee service and price entries, master data governance, and procurement process management.

Sourcing Strategy Alignment : Contribute to regional or global sourcing strategies by incorporating local market requirements and insights.

Stakeholder Management : Act as the key interface with local and regional stakeholders, including Supply Chain, Research & Development, Innovation (RD&I), Commercial, and Marketing teams.

Issue Resolution : Serve as the first point of escalation for managing local supplier issues and ensuring timely resolution.

Continuous Improvement & Change Management : Drive local change management initiatives related to Quality, Delivery, Cost, Innovation, and Sustainability (QDCIS), support and lead Value Engineering savings projects, and lead local material cost reduction initiatives.

Supplier Management & Development : Manage country-specific suppliers, focusing on supplier development and performance improvement.

Continuous Improvement Leadership : Lead local continuous improvement projects to optimize procurement processes and enhance overall efficiency

Job Requirements :

Professional Qualifications :

Bachelor’s Degree required (an additional degree in Materials & Purchasing Management or International Trade is preferred).

Proven experience in managing a complex procurement portfolio.

Minimum 5 years of successful experience in Procurement and Supplier Management, with a demonstrated track record of achieving results in cost management and supplier development.

Technical Skills :

Exceptional problem-solving and analytical abilities.

Strong planning and project management skills.

Proficiency in local language and a strong command of English (both written and spoken).

Excellent negotiation skills, with the ability to secure favorable commercial terms and manage supplier relationships effectively.

ERP Experience : Proficient in SAP for procurement and supply chain processes.

Behavioral Competencies :

Strong people's management and leadership skills, with the ability to inspire and lead teams.

Superior communication and interpersonal skills to manage relationships with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and cross-functional teams.

A passion for reducing costs and driving procurement efficiency.

Distinctive leadership ability, with comfort in handling conflict and navigating complex situations.

Comfortable working in a dual reporting matrix structure, managing both regional and local requirements.