Role Overview:

The Procurement / Category Lead will own the end-to-end sourcing and procurement strategy for EHV Substation and Transmission Line projects, aligning with the companys capital expenditure and project delivery plans. This role requires expertise in EPC/LSTK procurement, strong commercial acumen, technical knowledge of power transmission equipment, and experience managing vendor performance in complex projects.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Category Strategy & Sourcing:

- Develop and implement a long-term procurement strategy for EHV Substation and Transmission Line categories, aligned with project and capital expenditure plans.

- Conduct market intelligence on EPC vendors and key OEMs (GIS/AIS, Transformers, CRP panels, ICTs, Civil works, SCADA, etc.) to maintain a qualified, competitive, and compliant supplier base.

- Lead the entire sourcing lifecycle: Pre-Qualification (PQC), Request for Proposal (RFP) development, technical/commercial bid evaluation, and final contract award for LSTK/EPC contracts.

2. Contractual Risk & Commercial Management:

- Lead high-stakes negotiations for complex EPC contracts, focusing on commercial, legal, and milestone-based payment terms.

- Collaborate with Legal and Project teams to mitigate risks related to land acquisition delays, Right-of-Way (ROW) issues, and regulatory changes.

- Manage post-award commercial aspects including change orders, variation claims, and scope deviations to minimize cost overruns.

3. Technical & Cross-Functional Alignment:

- Maintain technical understanding of EHV equipment (GIS/AIS switchgear, transformers, relay protection schemes) and transmission line construction methods.

- Act as a key interface between Procurement, Engineering, and Project Delivery to ensure technical compliance while optimizing Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

- Ensure procurement aligns with Indian and international standards (IS, IEC, CERC/MERC guidelines).

4. Local Compliance & Vendor Performance:

- Ensure adherence to company ethics, Indian contracting law, and regulations from utilities (e.g., MSETCL, MERC).

- Establish and monitor Vendor Performance Management (VPM) metrics covering safety, quality, schedule, and financial viability.

- Identify and address localized bottlenecks such as logistics and municipal permits to maintain project timelines.