Senior Procurement Operations Lead

Location: Aurangabad, Maharashtra

Employment Type: Full-Time

Industry: Manufacturing

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced Senior Procurement Operations Lead to lead procurement operations for a large-scale manufacturing facility. This strategic leadership role is responsible for managing end-to-end indirect procurement, driving sourcing strategies, optimizing supplier performance, delivering cost savings, and ensuring seamless procurement support for plant operations.

The successful candidate will collaborate closely with Manufacturing, Global Strategic Sourcing, Shared Services, and regional stakeholders to execute procurement strategies that support business objectives, operational excellence, and financial performance.

Key Responsibilities

Procurement Operations

• Lead the plant procurement function and oversee all procurement activities supporting manufacturing operations.
• Manage end-to-end procurement across indirect spend categories, including:
• Energy & Utilities
• MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Operations)
• Engineering Spares
• Operating Supplies
• Manufacturing Services
• Professional Services
• Capital Equipment (CapEx)
• Waste Management
• Ensure uninterrupted availability of materials and services required for plant operations.

Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

• Execute sourcing strategies aligned with global indirect procurement and category management objectives.
• Drive strategic sourcing initiatives across all indirect procurement categories.
• Identify opportunities for supplier consolidation, cost optimization, and process improvements.
• Develop sourcing plans that improve quality, service levels, and procurement efficiency.

Supplier & Contract Management

• Build and maintain strong relationships with local and regional suppliers.
• Lead supplier selection, evaluation, onboarding, and performance management.
• Develop negotiation strategies for high-value and complex procurement requirements.
• Lead commercial negotiations for pricing, contracts, service levels, and long-term agreements.
• Ensure supplier relationships support both local business requirements and global supplier strategies.

Cost Optimization

• Identify and implement procurement cost-saving initiatives across all indirect spend categories.
• Deliver measurable procurement savings through strategic sourcing, negotiations, and supplier development.
• Monitor procurement performance and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.
• Support annual budgeting and cost optimization initiatives.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as the primary procurement business partner for manufacturing leadership.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Finance, Supply Chain, Global Procurement, and Shared Services teams.
• Ensure effective communication and alignment across all stakeholders to support operational objectives.

Procurement Excellence

• Drive procurement process improvements and operational efficiency.
• Support procurement transformation and change management initiatives.
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, governance standards, and internal controls.
• Monitor procurement KPIs and prepare management reports for leadership review.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering (Mandatory).
• Professional certifications in Procurement, Supply Chain, or Project Management will be an added advantage.

Experience

• 14+ years of experience in Procurement within large multinational manufacturing organizations.
• Strong experience managing Indirect Procurement categories including:
• MRO
• Utilities
• Capital Equipment (CapEx)
• Professional & Manufacturing Services
• Minimum 5 years of people management experience.
• Experience working with global procurement organizations and cross-functional teams.
• Exposure to manufacturing or industrial sectors is highly preferred.
• Experience managing imported engineering spares and industrial materials is desirable.

Required Skills

• Indirect Procurement
• Strategic Sourcing
• Category Management
• Procurement Operations
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Vendor Development
• Contract Negotiation
• Commercial Management
• Cost Optimization
• Savings Delivery
• CapEx Procurement
• MRO Procurement
• Utilities Procurement
• Manufacturing Services Procurement
• Procurement Transformation
• Change Management
• Project Management
• Stakeholder Management
• Financial Analysis
• Spend Analysis
• Supplier Performance Management
• Import Procurement
• SAP (SRM)
• Microsoft Excel & MS Office

Key Competencies

• Strategic Thinking
• Leadership & Team Management
• Negotiation & Influencing Skills
• Business Partnering
• Commercial Acumen
• Analytical & Financial Analysis
• Problem Solving
• Decision Making
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Communication & Presentation Skills
• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Ability to perform in a fast-paced, multi-stakeholder environment

Why Join Us?

• Lead procurement operations for a world-class manufacturing facility.
• Drive strategic sourcing and procurement transformation initiatives.
• Collaborate with global procurement, manufacturing, and supply chain teams.
• Opportunity to deliver measurable business impact through cost optimization and supplier excellence.
• Work in a collaborative environment with excellent opportunities for professional growth and leadership development.