General Manager – Equipment

Job Summary and Purpose The Head – Equipment & Bulk Material Procurement is responsible for developing and leading the strategic procurement function for equipment, machinery, steel and bulk materials required for shipbuilding, ship repair, offshore fabrication and heavy engineering operations. The position is accountable for ensuring timely availability of critical equipment, machinery, steel plates, pipes, profiles, structural materials and other project-related bulk materials while optimising procurement costs, maintaining quality standards and mitigating supply chain risks. The role involves strategic sourcing, international procurement, supplier development, commercial negotiations, contract management, import coordination, inventory optimisation and procurement team leadership. The incumbent will work closely with Engineering, Project Management, Production, Finance, Quality and Inbound Logistics teams to ensure procurement activities are aligned with project schedules, technical specifications and organisational objectives. The position will play a critical role in developing a robust supplier ecosystem, establishing strategic sourcing partnerships, managing long-lead procurement requirements and ensuring uninterrupted material availability for shipyard operations. About Swan Group Swan Group is a 115+ year-old engineering and project-oriented conglomerate with businesses across textiles, real estate, oil & gas, petroleum products, shipbuilding and heavy engineering. Pipavav Shipyard is a cornerstone of India's marine infrastructure, strategically located to access global trade routes and the industrial ecosystem. The organisation has a vision of redeveloping the asset into a "National Champion Shipyard." 3. Key Accountabilities A. Strategic Procurement & Supply Chain Management
• Develop and implement comprehensive procurement strategies for equipment, machinery and bulk materials aligned with shipbuilding, ship repair and offshore fabrication requirements.
• Establish long-term procurement roadmaps aligned with project execution plans, production schedules and business growth objectives.
• Identify strategic sourcing opportunities, develop supplier networks and establish alternate sourcing channels for critical materials and equipment.
• Develop procurement strategies for domestic and international sourcing to ensure competitive pricing, quality and timely delivery.
• Establish procurement policies, procedures, sourcing frameworks and performance standards.
• Lead strategic procurement initiatives to improve supply chain efficiency and reduce procurement risks. B. Equipment & Machinery Procurement
• Lead procurement of specialised equipment, machinery, mechanical systems, electrical equipment, marine systems and project-specific machinery required for shipbuilding and heavy engineering operations.
• Manage sourcing of critical and long-lead equipment, including cranes, pumps, motors, generators, propulsion systems, marine equipment, DPVs, ROVs and other specialised shipyard equipment, as applicable.
• Ensure equipment procurement is aligned with approved technical specifications, engineering requirements, project schedules and contractual obligations.
• Coordinate with Engineering and Technical teams for technical evaluations, vendor approvals and specification finalisation.
• Identify and develop qualified domestic and international suppliers for specialised equipment.
• Ensure compliance with applicable marine classification and certification standards, including ABS, DNV and other relevant industry standards. C. Bulk Material & Steel Procurement
• Lead procurement of bulk materials, including steel plates, sheets, pipes, profiles, structural steel, sections and other shipbuilding consumables.
• Develop sourcing strategies based on material grades, specifications, certifications, project requirements and consumption forecasts.
• Establish long-term arrangements and rate contracts with steel manufacturers, authorised distributors and strategic suppliers.
• Monitor steel commodity prices, market trends and availability to ensure competitive procurement decisions.
• Ensure procurement quantities are aligned with project BOMs, engineering requirements and production schedules.
• Coordinate with Stores and Production teams to maintain optimal inventory levels and avoid material shortages or excess stock.
• Ensure availability of Mill Test Certificates (MTC), inspection reports and other mandatory quality documentation. D. Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Development
• Identify, evaluate and onboard reliable domestic and international suppliers for equipment and bulk materials.
• Develop and maintain a strong supplier base to ensure continuity of supply and competitive commercial terms.
• Conduct supplier capability assessments, commercial evaluations and performance reviews.
• Establish alternate suppliers for critical equipment and materials to reduce dependency on single-source vendors.
• Build long-term strategic partnerships with key manufacturers, OEMs, distributors and international suppliers.
• Monitor supplier performance against quality, cost, delivery and service parameters. E. International Procurement, Imports & Commercial Management
• Lead international sourcing and procurement activities for equipment, machinery and bulk materials.
• Manage commercial negotiations covering pricing, payment terms, delivery schedules, warranties, penalties and contractual obligations.
• Ensure effective management of Letters of Credit (LC), advance payments, bank guarantees and other international payment arrangements in coordination with Finance.
• Coordinate with Inbound Logistics teams for shipment planning, freight optimisation, import documentation and customs clearance.
• Ensure appropriate INCOTERMS are incorporated into purchase contracts to manage commercial and logistics risks.
• Evaluate foreign exchange exposure, international market conditions, import duties and total landed costs.
• Ensure compliance with applicable EXIM policies, customs regulations and import requirements. F. Cost Optimisation & Financial Management
• Drive procurement cost optimisation through strategic negotiations, competitive bidding, value engineering and alternative sourcing.
• Develop procurement budgets and monitor expenditure against approved project and departmental budgets.
• Monitor commodity price fluctuations and market trends to identify opportunities for cost-effective sourcing.
• Analyse Last Purchase Prices (LPP), total cost of ownership and landed costs for procurement decision-making.
• Negotiate favourable commercial terms without compromising quality, technical specifications or delivery commitments.
• Identify opportunities for savings through rate contracts, bulk purchasing, vendor consolidation and long-term agreements.
• Monitor procurement savings, cost variances and budget utilisation through periodic MIS reporting. G. Project Planning & Cross-Functional Coordination
• Work closely with Project Management, Engineering, Production and Planning teams to understand project requirements and procurement priorities.
• Ensure procurement plans are aligned with approved Bills of Materials (BOM), technical specifications and project execution schedules.
• Identify long-lead items and initiate procurement well in advance to avoid project delays.
• Coordinate with Stores and Inventory teams to ensure material availability and efficient stock management.
• Provide procurement inputs during project bidding and estimation activities, including equipment pricing, bulk material rates and LPP references.
• Resolve material availability issues, supplier delays and procurement-related escalations affecting project execution. H. Quality Assurance, Compliance & Risk Management
• Ensure procured equipment and materials comply with approved technical specifications, quality standards and project requirements.
• Coordinate with Quality Assurance, Engineering and Inspection teams for vendor inspections, testing and material acceptance.
• Ensure adherence to applicable classification society requirements, including ABS and DNV, along with relevant ISO standards.
• Maintain procurement documentation, supplier approvals, purchase orders, inspection records and audit trails.
• Identify and mitigate procurement risks relating to supplier dependency, commodity price fluctuations, geopolitical developments, foreign exchange and supply disruptions.
• Develop contingency plans and alternate sourcing strategies for critical materials and equipment.
• Ensure compliance with organisational procurement policies, delegated financial authority (DOA) and applicable statutory requirements. I. Inventory & Supply Chain Optimisation
• Coordinate with Stores and Materials Management teams to establish optimal inventory levels for steel, bulk materials and critical equipment.
• Develop procurement planning mechanisms based on consumption forecasts, project schedules and material availability.
• Monitor stock levels, slow-moving inventory, excess stock and material shortages.
• Drive improvements in material planning, replenishment cycles and procurement lead times.
• Ensure effective coordination between procurement, logistics and warehouse operations. J. Leadership, Team Management & Performance Monitoring
• Lead and develop the Equipment and Bulk Material Procurement teams.
• Define departmental objectives, individual KRAs and measurable KPIs.
• Establish clear accountability for procurement delivery, cost savings, supplier performance and quality compliance.
• Mentor team members and build technical and commercial procurement capabilities.
• Monitor individual and departmental performance and initiate corrective actions wherever required.
• Promote cross-functional collaboration, process discipline and continuous improvement. K. Systems, MIS & Process Improvement
• Ensure effective utilisation of ERP and procurement systems for purchase requisitions, purchase orders, vendor records and procurement tracking.
• Develop procurement dashboards and MIS covering purchase order status, procurement spend, savings, supplier performance and material availability.
• Monitor procurement KPIs and provide periodic performance updates to SCM leadership.
• Standardise procurement processes and documentation to improve transparency and operational efficiency.
• Drive digitalisation, automation and process improvement initiatives across procurement operations. 4. Interactions and Working Relationships Internal Stakeholders
• Head – Supply Chain Management & Procurement: Provide regular updates on procurement strategies, sourcing progress, supplier performance, cost savings and budget adherence.
• Equipment and Bulk Material Procurement Teams: Define procurement priorities, sourcing strategies, operational targets and critical milestones.
• Project Management, Engineering & Production Teams: Coordinate technical requirements, material specifications, procurement schedules and project delivery priorities.
• Inbound Logistics Team: Coordinate international shipments, import operations, freight planning and timely delivery of equipment and bulk materials.
• Finance & Accounts: Coordinate on procurement budgets, payment terms, Letters of Credit, vendor payments and financial controls.
• Quality Assurance & Inspection Teams: Ensure compliance with technical specifications, quality standards, inspections and certification requirements.
• Stores & Materials Management: Coordinate inventory planning, stock availability, material receipt and consumption requirements.
• Commercial & Business Development Teams: Provide equipment and bulk material pricing, LPP references and procurement inputs for project bids and cost estimation. External Stakeholders
• OEMs, Manufacturers & Suppliers: Develop strategic relationships, negotiate commercial terms and ensure quality and timely delivery.
• International Vendors & Trading Partners: Manage overseas sourcing, commercial negotiations, import requirements and contractual arrangements.
• Logistics & Freight Forwarding Partners: Coordinate shipment planning, freight management and delivery schedules.
• Banks & Financial Institutions: Coordinate LC arrangements, bank guarantees and international payment requirements through Finance.
• Classification Societies & Inspection Agencies: Coordinate applicable certification, inspection and technical compliance requirements.
• Industry Networks & Market Intelligence Sources: Monitor commodity prices, supplier developments, market trends and procurement opportunities. 5. Financial Authorities
• Financial authority and approval limits shall be exercised as per the organisation's Delegation of Authority (DOA) policy.
• Responsible for procurement budget monitoring, commercial negotiations and cost optimisation within approved organisational guidelines. 6. Qualifications, Experience & Skills A. Preferred Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration or a related discipline is mandatory.
• MBA in Procurement, Operations or Supply Chain Management will be an added advantage.
• Professional certifications in Strategic Procurement, Supply Chain Management, International Trade or Contract Management will be preferred. B. Preferred Experience 20 years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing or supply chain management, preferably within shipbuilding, ship repair, marine, offshore, heavy engineering, EPC or large industrial project environments.
• Strong experience in equipment procurement, machinery sourcing and bulk material procurement, particularly steel plates, pipes, profiles and structural materials.
• Proven experience in domestic and international procurement, import operations, supplier negotiations, contract management and commercial transactions.
• Experience in managing Letters of Credit (LC), international payment terms, INCOTERMS and import-related commercial requirements.
• Demonstrated experience in vendor development, strategic sourcing, cost optimisation and supplier performance management.
• Experience in leading procurement teams and managing large-value, project-based procurement operations. C. Key Functional & Behavioural Competencies
• Strategic Procurement & Sourcing: Strong understanding of strategic sourcing, procurement planning, vendor development and supplier relationship management.
• Equipment & Bulk Material Procurement: Technical and commercial knowledge of specialised equipment, machinery, steel and other industrial materials.
• Commercial & Contract Management: Expertise in commercial negotiations, contract finalisation, purchase terms, LC arrangements and supplier agreements.
• Financial Acumen & Cost Optimisation: Strong understanding of procurement budgets, cost analysis, commodity pricing, LPP and total landed cost.
• International Procurement & EXIM: Knowledge of international sourcing, import procedures, customs requirements, INCOTERMS and trade compliance.
• Technical & Quality Compliance: Understanding of engineering specifications, quality assurance, inspection requirements and marine classification standards.
• Supply Chain & Inventory Management: Expertise in material planning, inventory optimisation, procurement lead times and supply chain risk management.
• Leadership & Team Management: Proven ability to lead, mentor and develop procurement teams while driving accountability and performance.
• Analytical & Decision-Making

Skills:
Ability to analyse procurement data, evaluate supplier performance, assess risks and make commercially sound decisions.
• ERP & Digital Proficiency: Proficiency in SAP, Oracle or other ERP procurement systems, MS Excel, PowerPoint and procurement reporting tools.
• Stakeholder Management: Strong communication, negotiation and relationship management skills across internal and external stakeholders.
• Problem-Solving & Execution: Ability to manage complex procurement challenges, resolve escalations and ensure uninterrupted material availability. 7. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) The incumbent's performance will be assessed against the following parameters:
• Procurement plan achievement and timely material availability.
• Equipment and bulk material procurement within approved project timelines.
• Procurement cost savings and budget adherence.
• Supplier performance against quality, cost and delivery commitments.
• Reduction in procurement lead times.
• Vendor development and alternate sourcing initiatives.
• Inventory optimisation and reduction in excess/slow-moving stock.
• Import and international procurement compliance.
• Purchase order processing and documentation accuracy.
• Procurement team productivity and performance.
• Reduction in material shortages and procurement-related project delays.
• ERP data accuracy and timely MIS reporting.