Assistant Manager

Job Purpose

Responsible for managing end-to-end plant-level procurement activities specifically for ceramic raw materials (Frits, Grits, Compounds, and minerals). This role ensures 100% material availability for production at the Kheda plant, implements stringent inventory controls, monitors material consumption, and drives aggressive cost-saving initiatives through localization, negotiation, and value engineering.

Key Responsibilities & KRAs

1. Cost Optimization & Strategic Sourcing

• Cost Reduction Initiatives: Identify and execute opportunities for cost reduction across the procurement lifecycle to lower the total Bill of Materials (BOM) cost.
• Localization & Indigenization: Develop alternative local sources for imported raw materials and minerals to reduce lead times, currency risks, and landed costs.
• Value Engineering: Conduct material planning study analyses for existing and new jobs to identify opportunities for value engineering and process-driven savings.
• Negotiation Strategy: Negotiate and finalize competitive rates, payment terms, and delivery schedules with vendors to ensure maximum value for the company.
• Vendor Base Localization: Carry out vendor base indigenization for materials to reduce logistics costs and support the plant's operational efficiency.

2. Material Consumption & Inventory Reconciliation

• Input vs. Output Reconciliation: Prepare and analyze detailed reconciliation reports for all materials (Raw Materials, Chemicals, and Additives) against the finished production output to ensure physical and system stocks align.
• Consumption Monitoring: Monitor daily and weekly consumption patterns of all plant materials to identify variances, wastage, or unauthorized usage.
• Yield & Process Loss Analysis: Track process losses and furnace yields in coordination with the production team; identify if variances are due to procurement quality, handling, or process inefficiencies.
• Material Shortage Management: Proactively follow up with the store team for daily stock and shortage reports to align procurement schedules with the production plan.

3. Raw Material Planning & Inventory Control

• BOM Management: Lead the planning and ordering for Raw Materials (RM), Packing Materials (PM), and critical furnace maintenance items.
• Advanced Inventory Control: Apply ABC, XYZ, and VED analysis specifically for varying lead-time minerals and JIT concepts for high-turnover additives.
• Avoidance of Financial Loss: Implement systems to avoid over-stocking (working capital blockage) or out-of-stock situations (production losses).
• Budgeting: Manage the annual and monthly procurement budgets for consumables, maintenance items, and miscellaneous plant requirements.

4. Operational Execution & Import Logistics

• Purchase Management: Evaluate price comparisons and execute Purchase Orders (POs) aligned with production schedules and date-wise requirements.
• Stock Monitoring: Daily coordination with the stores team to manage stock levels and address shortages immediately.
• Import Operations: Manage logistics for imported chemicals or equipment; maintain tracking reports and coordinate with CHAs for smooth custom clearance at ports.
• Quality & Rejections: Ensure timely return of rejected materials to suppliers as per company norms with proper documentation to avoid financial leakage.

5. Commercial Compliance & Reporting

• Strategic Reporting: Provide regular updates to the Country Procurement Manager on price trends of key commodities and cost-saving achievements.
• Contract Management: Oversee and sign off on plant-level Service Level Agreements (SLAs), AMCs, and Non-Disclosure Agreements (NDAs) as per company policy.
• Finance Liaison: Coordinate with the finance department for timely vendor payments and reconciliation of accounts.

Preferred candidate profile - Immediate Joiner.