Chief Procurement Strategist

We are seeking a highly experienced and skilled Strategic Procurement Leader to lead the procurement function for our business.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in project procurement, rate contracting, and e-auctions, with experience in leading cross-functional teams and managing diverse procurement categories.

Key Responsibilities:

• Procurement Strategy:
  • Develop and implement procurement strategies aligned with business objectives and project timelines.
  • Drive bulk buying and project-based procurement for long lead items and engineered bought-outs.
  • Establish rate contracts, manage e-auctioning platforms, and oversee price benchmarking for strategic categories.
  • Analyze spend data and identify cost optimization opportunities using Power BI, ERP, and MS Excel.
• Operational Procurement:
  • Oversee day-to-day procurement of project materials including Fabrication & Critical bought-out items.
  • Ensure timely delivery of materials to meet project schedules across multiple sites and units.
  • Manage bank guarantees, letters of credit (LCs), and ensure compliance with financial risk mitigation tools.
• Vendor Management:
  • Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers and key stakeholders (CXO Level).
  • Develop a reliable vendor base; evaluate and onboard new vendors with technical and commercial screening.
  • Negotiate contracts with suppliers and contractors; ensure contract closure, vendor evaluation, and continuous performance monitoring.
  • Resolve vendor claims, legal disputes, and initiate legal actions when necessary in coordination with legal and finance teams.
  • Govern all procurement contracts with adherence to credit/debit policies, procurement policies, and contractual SLAs.
• Systems & Tools:
  • Lead adoption and improvement of procurement processes on ERP, PLM, DPT, and data analytics through Power BI dashboards.
  • Ensure procurement records, approvals, and documentation are accurate and audit-ready.
• Skills & Qualifications:
  • Functional & Technical Skills:
    • Strong knowledge of project procurement, rate contracting, and e-auctions.
    • Familiarity with technical specifications of EPC/APC projects and bought-out items.
    • Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP/Oracle), MS Excel (advanced), Power BI, and PLM platforms.
    • Knowledge of commercial terms, INCO terms, BG/LCs, and import/export documentation.
  • Leadership & Managerial Competencies:
    • Ability to lead a cross-functional team and manage diverse procurement categories.
    • Strong negotiation and persuasion skills for high-value/volume sourcing.
    • Drive team performance management, KPI tracking, and people development through structured training and mentoring.
    • Risk identification, mitigation planning, and strategic decision-making.
  • Risk Management & Compliance:
    • Ensure all procurement activities comply with company policies, ethical standards, and legal requirements.
    • Identify risks in the supply chain and develop mitigation strategies.
    • Manage contracts, licenses, and documentation related to procurement.
  • Behavioral Skills:
    • High integrity, ethical conduct, and accountability.
    • Strong communication and stakeholder management across engineering, project management, finance, and legal functions.
    • Agility, problem-solving mindset, and focus on continuous improvement.
    • Conflict resolution and team collaboration under pressure situations.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs):

• On-time material availability for projects
• Procurement cost savings vs. budget
• Rate contract/E-auctioning coverage
• Vendor performance index (OTIF, quality, responsiveness)
• Contract closure and claim resolution time
• Internal and external audit compliance
• Team engagement and capability development

Requirements:

B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical/Electrical/Production with MBA (preferred). 15–20 years in project procurement with at least 5–7 years in a leadership role, preferably in EPC, environmental solutions, or industrial equipment sector. Exposure to Air Pollution Control, waste heat recovery, or thermal projects is highly desirable.