Indirect Purchase Leader

• Lead indirect procurement / purchase for an automobile manufacturing plant.
• Own procurement of plant-related indirect materials and services such as MRO, tooling, consumables, facility services, maintenance, logistics support, utilities-related services, and other non-production requirements.
• Develop and execute category-wise sourcing strategies to achieve cost savings, quality, delivery, and supplier-performance targets.
• Manage strategic suppliers, negotiations, contracts, commercial terms, and vendor development.
• Work closely with manufacturing, engineering, maintenance, quality, finance, supply chain, and plant leadership.
• Drive cost reduction, localization, alternate sourcing, supplier consolidation, and process improvement.
• Establish procurement controls, approval processes, compliance, and spend visibility.
• Lead and develop the indirect procurement team.
• Support new plant/project setup, capacity expansion, and localization activities, where applicable.
• Since the position is at a manufacturing plant in Tuticorin, willingness to relocate and hands-on plant exposure would be important.
• Shorter notice availability would be a significant advantage for an immediate/near-term requirement.

Key Skills Required

Procurement & Commercial

• Strong experience in Indirect Purchase / Indirect Procurement
• Strategic sourcing and category management
• RFQ/RFP management and competitive bidding
• Vendor identification, evaluation and development
• Strong negotiation and commercial skills
• Contract management and supplier relationship management
• Cost analysis, should-cost analysis and cost reduction
• Spend analysis and procurement budgeting

Automotive / Manufacturing

• Experience with an Automobile OEM or automotive manufacturing environment
• Understanding of manufacturing-plant procurement
• Knowledge of MRO, tooling, maintenance, consumables, CAPEX/services and facility procurement
• Exposure to new plant/project procurement would be valuable
• Understanding of automotive manufacturing processes and plant operations

Leadership

• Ability to lead an indirect procurement team
• Strong stakeholder management across plant functions
• Ability to work with senior management and suppliers
• Data-driven decision making and problem solving
• Strong communication and presentation skills