Procurement Manager

Purpose of the Job

As the Category Sourcing Manager for India for the Resin category along with procurement manager for Coatings BU for India the role encompasses the following responsibilities:

• Leadership & Strategic Direction: Provide strategic direction and leadership to category sourcing in India.
• Strategy Deployment: Define and deploy strategy for managing spend of the category, driving year-on-year value and benefits.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: Work with key internal stakeholders including cross-business units, R&D, and other category leads
• Supplier Management: Own and drive strategic supplier management with all the regional and global vendors
• Alignment with Corporate Goals: Steer category strategy and execution aligned with AkzoNobels corporate goals on sustainability.

Key Responsibilities

• Ensures the purchase of raw and packing materials are from approved suppliers for the site
• Acts as the first escalation interface for Coatings business (end to end)
• Updates Purchasing databases in the SAP system and Purchasing Info sheets as required
• Develop and deploy Country sourcing strategy for the category and the coatings BU.
• Represent procurement in coating business as - Procurement lead for Coatings Bus IBP
• Lead and manage strategic supplier management.
• Influence internal stakeholders and business teams strategically on a global and regional scale.
• Exhibit leadership behaviors to both the category team and suppliers.
• Implement strategic cost management through e-tenders, negotiation, and contract management.
• Ensure year-on-year value creation is in line with company and functional goals.
• Collaborate with the Category Technical Lead to develop a technical roadmap, including critical projects and initiatives.
• Build and sustain a vendor base encompassing current and prospective vendors.
• Contribute proactively to AkzoNobels Science-Based Target initiative (SBTi).
• Develop alternate raw materials with the Business Unit Technical Lead, mitigating single/sole source material at elevated risk.
• Drive end-to-end simplification of product portfolio and supplier reduction.
• Demonstrate important levels of collaboration and cooperation

Qualifications/ Education:

• Graduate in Science/Business/Economics/commerce/engineering.
• Master's degree in business administration or supply chain or cost management preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years experience in a strategic sourcing role with similar complexity, spend size, and geography. Total Direct procurement experience of min 12 years.
• Excellent communication skills in English.
• Proven experience in global or regional sourcing roles, change management, and leading strategic projects.
• Superior influencing skills.

General skills:

• Effective communication, presentation, and interpersonal skills.
• Proficient in problem solving, project management, and team working/building.
• Ability to work under minimal supervision in a broad direction.
• Continuous Improvement of leadership ability.
• Ability to establish common ground within the organization.

Functional Skills

• Strategic sourcing, category management, advanced negotiation skills, contract management.
• Proficiency in multiple data platforms such as SAP and BI.
• Strong analytical skills: highly numerate, structured, and accurate.
• Capable of performing, understanding, and presenting detailed information analysis and evaluation.
• Flexible, agile, and stress resistant.
• Fluent in English.
• Hands-on experience with international business culture.