Head of Procurement

Happy to present a leadership role with a leading speciality chemical manufacturing company in Mumbai

Head – Sourcing & Procurement (Chemical Manufacturing Industry)

Location: Mumbai (HO)

Experience: 10 - 15 Years

Industry: Fragrances /Food Ingredients / Specialty Ingredients / Flavors

Working days: Monday - Friday

Reporting to: MD & CEO/ COO

About the Role:

The Head – Sourcing & Procurement will lead the end-to-end procurement, sourcing, and supplier management processes to ensure cost-effective, timely, and compliant availability of all raw materials, packaging, consumables, and administration goods & services.

This role is pivotal in balancing cost, quality, risk, and agility , while leveraging sourcing models such as Re-Order Point (ROP), Make-to-Order (MTO), Make to stock (MTS) and Strategic Sourcing (Timing, Stock Piles) to meet the organization’s production and business requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Procurement & Sourcing

• Develop a global sourcing strategy for raw materials, specialty chemicals, solvents, catalysts, and packaging materials.
• Intelligent implement procurement models:
• ROP (Re-order Point): Follow and Implement ROP levels for fast-moving and critical raw materials based on consumption patterns, lead times, and safety stock.
• Make-to-Order (MTO): Implement sourcing triggers aligned with production planning for customized products, ensuring JIT (Just-in-Time) deliveries.
• Spot Buying: For short-term, price-sensitive or urgent requirements without long-term contracts.
• Stock Piles
• Integrate procurement strategy with production planning, R&D, supply chain, and finance to align business needs with supplier capabilities.
• Develop multi-sourcing strategies to reduce dependency on single vendors and mitigate geopolitical/market risks.
• Monitor chemical prices and Vendor Negotiation

2. Supplier Management & Development

• Identify, qualify, and onboard suppliers through rigorous due diligence including audits for quality, EHS, sustainability, and compliance.
• Negotiate supply contracts, framework agreements, and long-term pricing mechanisms (hedging)
• Develop supplier performance scorecards (on quality, delivery, cost, compliance, innovation).
• Establish Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) programs for continuous improvement and innovation.
• Encourage localization and backward integration opportunities to secure supply chain resilience.

3. Inventory & Demand Planning

• Implement scientific inventory planning tools integrating ROP, EOQ (Economic Order Quantity), dynamic demand forecasting.
• Collaborate with production, SCM, and sales to align procurement with Make-to-Stock (MTS) and Make-to-Order (MTO) production models.
• Balance inventory carrying cost vs. stockout risk through optimized procurement cycles.
• Monitor digital dashboards & ERP-driven alerts for ROP breach, minimum stock levels, and replenishment triggers.
• Explore consignment stock models for critical raw materials.

4. Compliance, Quality & Risk Management

• Domestic & international regulatory frameworks (DGFT, REACH, RoHS, Responsible Care).
• EHS standards in chemical procurement, storage, and transportation.
• ESG and sustainable procurement policies.
• Develop risk management frameworks :
• Commodity price fluctuation hedging.
• Alternate sourcing plans for critical and hazardous raw materials.
• Business continuity plans for geopolitical disruptions, logistics bottlenecks, and natural calamities.
• Ensure material traceability and documentation for audits, ISO standards, and regulatory inspections.

5. Technology & Process Excellence

• Drive digital procurement transformation with ERP for automation of purchase requisitions, approvals, and vendor payments.
• Standardize procurement policies and SOPs across categories (Capex, Opex, Direct, Indirect).

Qualifications & Experience:

Education:

• Bachelor’s in Chemical / Mechanical / Industrial Engineering (mandatory).

• Master’s (MBA/PGDM in Supply Chain, Operations, or Materials Management) preferred.

Experience:

• 10–15 years in procurement & sourcing, with minimum 5 years in leadership roles in chemical/manufacturing industries.

• Proven track record in global sourcing, commodity markets, and long-term contract negotiations.

• Hands-on experience with ERP procurement modules, and supply chain digital tools.

Key Skills and Competencies:

• Drive cross-functional collaboration with Production, R&D, SCM, Quality, and Finance. Strong commercial acumen, negotiation, and vendor management skills.

• Knowledge of chemical raw material markets and logistics challenges (hazardous, bulk shipments, international trade).
• Familiarity with ESG, sustainable procurement, and digital transformation.