Category Manager – Sourcing & Procurement

Location: Chennai
Experience: 8–15 Years
Skill: Sourcing & Procurement

Education

• Minimum 15 years of regular, full-time education (10+2+3); B.Tech preferred.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, or a related field.

• Procurement certifications such as CPSM or CIPS will be an added advantage.

Job Summary

We are looking for an experienced Category Manager – Sourcing & Procurement to develop and execute category management strategies and sourcing plans. The role requires strong domain expertise in procurement, market intelligence, spend analysis, supplier management, negotiations, and cost optimization.

The candidate will analyze market trends, material indices, cost structures, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), procurement data, and supplier performance to drive strategic sourcing initiatives and improve supply chain efficiency. Strong understanding of the Kraljic Matrix and its application in category strategy is essential.

Key Skills

• Strong sourcing and procurement expertise with analytical skills.

• Proficiency in MS Excel, Power BI, or similar analytics tools.

• Experience with ERP/procurement platforms such as SAP, Ariba, Oracle, or Coupa.

• Strong negotiation and contract management skills.

• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills.

• Knowledge of procurement regulations, compliance, and risk management.

• Strong understanding of Kraljic Matrix, TCO, spend analysis, and market analysis.

Key Responsibilities

Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze procurement data to identify trends, cost-saving opportunities, and process improvements.

• Develop dashboards and reports to track procurement KPIs and supplier performance.

• Prepare and maintain savings reports using Power BI.

Supplier Evaluation & Management

• Evaluate supplier capabilities, pricing, quality, delivery performance, and compliance.

• Support supplier selection, onboarding, and performance management.

• Drive supplier performance on timely delivery and quality requirements.

Strategic Sourcing & Category Management

• Develop category strategies and sourcing plans based on market intelligence and business requirements.

• Create and manage sourcing projects within ERP/procurement platforms.

• Conduct negotiations with suppliers to achieve optimal commercial outcomes.

• Perform spend analysis, market analysis, risk analysis, and bid evaluation.

• Apply the Kraljic Matrix to develop appropriate sourcing strategies.

• Drive CAPEX and OPEX savings, which will be a key performance indicator.

Stakeholder & Contract Management

• Partner with internal stakeholders to understand requirements and develop sourcing strategies.

• Lead supplier negotiations and contract discussions.

• Monitor contract terms and identify potential risks or deviations.

Process Optimization

• Identify inefficiencies in procurement processes and recommend improvements.

• Support automation and digitization initiatives within procurement operations.

• Drive continuous improvement across sourcing and procurement processes.

Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure procurement activities comply with internal policies and applicable regulations.

• Identify and mitigate supplier, commercial, and contractual risks.

• Monitor supplier compliance and contractual obligations.

Key Performance Indicators

• CAPEX and OPEX savings.

• Supplier performance and on-time delivery.

• Procurement cost optimization.

• Sourcing project effectiveness.

• Contract compliance.

• Procurement process improvement.

• Stakeholder satisfaction.

Important Note

• Ex-TCS employees are not eligible to apply.
• PAN and DOB are required for profile creation.