Head - Purchase/Procurement - Direct & Indirect Segment

Location: Mumbai

Reporting To: Director / VP Supply Chain / Operations

Role Purpose:

The Head - Purchase will lead and manage end-to-end procurement for Direct and Indirect spend, ensuring uninterrupted supply of raw materials, packaging, services, and capex items while driving cost optimization, supplier development, risk mitigation, and governance in line with organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities:

Direct Procurement:

- Lead procurement of raw materials, pigments, resins, solvents, additives, packaging materials, and traded goods.

- Develop strategic sourcing and category management plans for critical materials.

- Drive cost reduction initiatives, long-term contracts, and price negotiations.

- Manage supplier performance, quality, delivery, and risk mitigation.

- Work closely with R&D, Production, Quality, and Planning teams.

Indirect Procurement:

- Oversee procurement of MRO, utilities, logistics, IT, admin services, capex, and plant services.

- Establish policies, controls, and spend governance for indirect categories.

- Rationalize vendor base and improve compliance.

Leadership & Governance:

- Lead and mentor the procurement & purchase team across locations/plants.

- Establish procurement policies, SOPs, and compliance frameworks.

- Ensure adherence to audit, statutory, and internal control requirements.

- Drive digital procurement initiatives (ERP, e-sourcing, SRM).

Stakeholder & Supplier Management:

- Build long-term strategic relationships with key suppliers.

- Coordinate with Finance for budgeting, working capital optimization, and forecasts.

- Support business expansion, new product launches, and capacity additions.

Key Skills & Competencies:

- Strong expertise in Direct & Indirect Procurement

- Strategic sourcing & category management

- Contract negotiation & commercial acumen

- Supplier relationship & vendor development

- Cost optimization & risk management

- ERP exposure (SAP preferred)

- Strong leadership & stakeholder management skills

Desired Candidate Profile:

- 15-20+ years of experience in procurement/purchase

- Prior experience in Paints / Coatings / Chemicals / Manufacturing

- Experience handling multi-plant procurement

- Proven track record in managing large spend portfolios

- Exposure to both corporate & plant procurement environments

Education:

- BE / BTech (Chemical / Mechanical preferred)

- MBA / PGDM in Supply Chain / Materials Management (preferred)