Manager Purchasing

WE ARE HIRING.........

Manager Purchase

EXPERIENCE LOCATION EMPLOYMENT TYPE

10-15 YEARS RANJANGAON, INDIA FULL TIME

ABOUT SOUTHCO

Southco, Inc. is the leading global designer and manufacturer of engineered access solutions. From quality and performance to aesthetics and ergonomics, we understand that first impressions are lasting impressions in product design.

For over 70 years, Southco has helped the worlds most recognized brands create value for their customers with innovative access solutions designed to enhance the touch points of their products in transportation and industrial applications, medical equipment, data centers and more.

At Southco India, we are strengthening our digital and business capabilities to support global operations and transformation initiatives. We are looking for professionals who are passionate about technology, business process improvement, and solving complex business challenges in a global environment.

POSITION OVERVIEW

The Manager – Purchase establishes a best-practice approach to procurement across Southco's India facility, operating at both strategic and operational levels with a strong continuous-improvement focus. The role leads the India Procurement team and takes direct responsibility for procurement KPIs, major negotiations, RFQs, and the performance of Southco's top vendors.

Working closely with the Supply Chain Manager and regional procurement leadership, the Manager strategically sources, assesses, manages, and develops suppliers against agreed metrics and financial targets. The role leads key projects supporting the India Supply Chain strategy while balancing price, delivery, quality, lead time, inventory, and overall supplier relationships to achieve the lowest total cost.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Develop and implement purchasing strategies and propose improvements to the procurement system that strengthen vendor relationships and lower the cost of doing business.

Manage daily purchasing activities and maintain the supplier database, purchase records, and related documentation.

Provide direction, coaching, and support to the India Procurement team, setting team goals and sharing accountability for performance and delivery.

Model good practice and ensure adherence to Southco's regional and global procurement processes and systems.

Identify, initiate, and execute key supply-chain projects in support of the regional supply-chain strategy.

Drive continuous-improvement opportunities across total cost, quality, and delivery, and support new product design projects and new-supplier qualification.

Develop, track, and deliver the regional savings plan, identifying direct and indirect cost-reduction opportunities aligned with global category strategies.

Lead medium-to-large-scale procurement and contract negotiations and drive supplier rationalization.

Build strong supplier and stakeholder relationships through vendor reviews, site visits, and recognition, and promote the procurement function across the business.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.

10-15 years of experience in a similar procurement or supply-chain role.

Clear, practical understanding of purchasing activities including PR/PO release, GRN, and invoice clearing, with strong commercial knowledge.

Mandatory SAP knowledge, with strong numeracy and computer literacy (particularly MS Excel and PowerPoint).

Internal Auditor certification in IATF.

Extremely well-developed influencing and communication skills, both written and oral, with a track record of securing supplier commitment to demanding requirements.

Excellent analytical skills.

PREFERRED SKILLS

Knowledge of stamping, plastic injection molding, zinc die casting, and stainless-steel investment casting processes.

Experience applying supplier development and quality-assurance tools to reduce price and lead time and improve quality.

Entrepreneurial, hands-on self-starter with strong time-management focus.

Strength in team-based problem solving across Southco and suppliers to resolve issues quickly.

WHY JOIN SOUTHCO?

Opportunity to lead and grow the procurement function for a global manufacturing leader

Ownership of regional cost-savings and supplier development strategy

Exposure to cross-functional and international supply-chain teams

Collaborative and innovation-driven work culture

Opportunity to create meaningful business impact