Procurement Manager

Key Responsibilities A. Strategic Procurement • Identify opportunities for cost reduction, alternate sourcing and process improvement. • Develop long-term procurement plans for major raw materials and chemicals. • Analyse market trends, price movements, availability and supply risks. • Develop alternate sources for critical and imported materials to reduce dependency on single vendors. • Negotiate annual rate contracts, bulk purchase agreements and long-term supply arrangements. B. Raw Material & Chemical Procurement • Procure chemicals, minerals, additives, solvents, process chemicals and other raw materials as per approved specifications. • Ensure procurement is carried out strictly as per approved quality specifications and technical requirements. • Evaluate imported as well as domestic sourcing opportunities. C. Vendor Management • Identify, evaluate and develop new suppliers. • Conduct vendor assessment based on quality, price, capacity, financial strength, delivery performance and statutory compliance. • Negotiate credit periods, payment terms, freight, insurance, taxes and other commercial conditions. • Take corrective action against vendors with poor quality or delivery performance. D. Cost Control & Negotiation • Obtain and analyse competitive quotations from multiple vendors. • Negotiate pricing, payment terms, freight, credit period, MOQ and other commercial terms. • Prepare comparative statements and commercial evaluations. E. Purchase Planning & Inventory Management • Coordinate with Production, Stores, Planning and Finance for procurement requirements. • Ensure timely availability of materials to avoid production stoppages. • Monitor stock levels, reorder levels, lead times and consumption patterns. • Monitor slow-moving and non-moving inventory and coordinate corrective action. F. Purchase Order & Commercial Management • Prepare purchase orders with correct specifications, quantities, rates, taxes, delivery terms and payment terms. • Track pending deliveries and coordinate with vendors for timely dispatch. G. Quality & Technical Coordination • Work closely with QC/QA and R&D for approval of new vendors and materials. • Ensure samples are obtained and tested before regular procurement wherever required. • Coordinate with suppliers regarding technical specifications, COA, MSDS/SDS and other quality documentation. • Ensure rejected materials are returned/replaced promptly. • Develop supplier quality improvement programmed for critical materials. 4. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) The Procurement Manager will be evaluated on: • Purchase cost savings / cost reduction • Purchase price variance • Chemicals timely availability • Vendor delivery performance • Vendor quality/rejection percentage • Inventory turnover • Development of alternate vendors • Credit period improvement • Procurement cycle time • Contract compliance • Reduction in obsolete/slow-moving inventory • Overall procurement budget adherence 5. Required Skills & Competencies • Strong negotiation and commercial skills. • Excellent knowledge of chemical/raw material markets. • Good understanding of manufacturing processes and material specifications. • Strong vendor development and relationship management skills. • Knowledge of ERP systems, preferably SAP/Oracle/Tally or similar ERP. • Advanced knowledge of MS Excel and procurement MIS. • Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills. • Ability to work under pressure and manage urgent production requirements.

Educational Qualification Essential: • Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Chemistry, Commerce, Supply Chain Management, or related field. Preferred: • MBA/PGDM in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Operations or Finance. • Certification in Supply Chain/Procurement Management is an added advantage.

Experience Profile: Preferably 4 - 5 years of procurement experience, with substantial exposure to: Specialty chemicals, Minerals/mineral processing, Industrial chemicals, Packaging materials, Imports Experience in a plant-based manufacturing environment will be preferred.