We are seeking an accomplished Chief Procurement Officer / Chief Commercial Officer to lead the organization's procurement, sourcing, commercial, and supply chain strategy. The role will be responsible for driving procurement excellence, cost optimization, vendor management, inventory efficiency, and commercial governance while ensuring uninterrupted availability of critical raw materials and services.

The incumbent will play a key leadership role in developing long-term sourcing strategies, strengthening supplier partnerships, improving profitability, managing procurement risks, and supporting business growth through strategic commercial decision-making.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Procurement & Sourcing:

- Develop and execute enterprise-wide procurement and sourcing strategies aligned with business objectives.

- Lead procurement planning for raw materials, consumables, spares, services, CAPEX, and OPEX requirements.

- Establish long-term sourcing strategies to ensure supply continuity, cost competitiveness, and risk mitigation.

- Drive procurement transformation initiatives and best-in-class sourcing practices.

Commercial Leadership & Cost Optimization:

- Lead commercial negotiations with key suppliers, OEMs, and strategic partners.

- Drive cost reduction and value creation initiatives through strategic sourcing, global procurement, reverse auctions, and long-term commercial agreements.

- Identify opportunities for procurement consolidation, supplier rationalization, and contract optimization.

- Develop commercial frameworks that enhance profitability while ensuring supply security.

Supplier & Vendor Management:

- Develop and maintain a diversified and high-performing supplier ecosystem across domestic and international markets.

- Establish supplier evaluation, qualification, performance monitoring, and risk management frameworks.

- Conduct vendor audits and implement supplier development initiatives to improve quality, delivery, and cost performance.

- Build strategic partnerships with critical suppliers and stakeholders.

Inventory, Logistics & Supply Chain Management:

- Optimize inventory levels and working capital through effective procurement planning and supply chain management.

- Ensure uninterrupted material availability to support production and operational requirements.

- Oversee inbound logistics, transportation management, freight optimization, and warehouse coordination.

- Drive improvements in inventory turnover, forecasting accuracy, and supply chain efficiency.

Market Intelligence & Risk Management:

- Monitor commodity markets, pricing trends, freight costs, exchange rates, and supply-demand dynamics.

- Develop procurement risk mitigation strategies for supply disruptions, inflationary pressures, and market volatility.

- Utilize market intelligence to support sourcing decisions and procurement planning.

Leadership & Stakeholder Management:

- Lead and develop high-performing procurement and commercial teams.

- Partner closely with Manufacturing, Operations, Finance, Quality, Engineering, and Supply Chain functions to align procurement objectives with business priorities.

- Present procurement performance, savings initiatives, and strategic recommendations to executive leadership.

- Foster a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and operational excellence.

Governance, Compliance & Controls:

- Ensure compliance with procurement policies, statutory regulations, contractual obligations, and ethical sourcing practices.

- Strengthen procurement governance, controls, audit readiness, and risk management frameworks.

- Drive digitalization and adoption of ERP-based procurement processes.

Required Skills & Experience:

- 20-30 years of progressive experience in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Commercial Management, Supply Chain, or Materials Management.

- Proven leadership experience in large manufacturing, metals, mining, engineering, infrastructure, EPC, power, cement, chemicals, or industrial organizations.

- Strong expertise in procurement of raw materials, CAPEX, OPEX, spares, consumables, and strategic sourcing.

- Demonstrated success in delivering large-scale cost optimization and procurement transformation initiatives.

- Strong experience in supplier negotiations, contract management, and commercial governance.

- Deep understanding of inventory management, logistics, supply chain planning, and working capital optimization.

- Experience with ERP platforms such as SAP MM, SAP S/4HANA, Oracle, or equivalent systems.

- Strong analytical, financial, negotiation, and stakeholder management capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications:

- Engineering degree with MBA or Postgraduate qualification in Supply Chain, Operations, Procurement, or Business Management.

- Experience managing global procurement and international supplier networks.

- Exposure to commodity sourcing, metals, minerals, energy, coal, freight, or industrial raw materials is highly desirable.

- Professional certifications in Procurement or Supply Chain Management will be an advantage.