Head - Strategic Sourcing

Purpose of the job

The Head of Strategic Sourcing - India will be responsible for the development and implementation of strategies and policies for sourcing, partnership programs and strict processes through the operational activities of the India business. The individual will be expected to engage with various internal and external stakeholders across the organization to understand the products that are being sourced while analysing and identifying pain points and deficiencies and improvement opportunities.

This position will focus on analysis, development, and deployment of sourcing strategies and associated systems to support a variety of functions of the operational teams. You will be expected to engage with various teams across the organization to understand the products that are being sourced and map their current supply chains.

Key Responsibilities

You will work across internal and external client base to set the sourcing strategies on supply chain continuity, lead time reduction and minimization of commercial risk. Responsibilities will include the complete management of:

Responsible for developing supplier strategies, long range plans and supplier relationships from introduction to engagement.

Implement and maintain regional Sourcing and Procurement, Inventory and Logistics policies, procedures and control systems and ensure the policies are fully enforced and adopted internally and externally.

Preparing process workflows and associated documentation.

Responsible for setting and achieving performance goals/metrics to monitor and improve cost, quality and service.

Training participating teams on new processes and enforcing existing process. Lead cross functional RFP's that cut cost and result in superior supplier service and drives innovation

Identify and drive purchase volume to benefit the business, and clients business

Responsible for implementing initiatives, process, quality and cost improvements

Initiate Supplier Performance Reviews to measure and document performance levels, identify development areas, perform root cause analysis and establish corrective action plans for improved performance.

Coordinate and leverage, as necessary, with other offices to obtain the best value for the Company.

Responsible for the establishment of supplier competitive analysis, sourcing strategies and negotiation plans which fully support the region and drives process optimization.

Conduct Supplier conferences, events or forums as needed.

Responsible for all vendor negotiations and vendor relationships.

Implement preferred vendor database, Vendor relationship management, materials management, cost control and logistics management systems.

Knowledge, Skills + Experience

Excellent interpersonal skills, able to develop positive relationships at all levels, with all types of people up to Board level

Excellent communication skills – verbal, written, presentation – with clarity of expression

Demonstrable people management skills

Passion for quality

Able to present account planning and strategy for retention, growth and added value

Demonstrable track record of successful client and contract management

Can anticipate internal and/or external business issues and develop risk mitigation strategies

Experience of managing department financials

Extensive client service management experience, ideally with time spent working on the client site or sites

Extensive people management experience including performance management and team leadership

Experienced in taking responsibility for managing client service plans, KPI’s, budgeting, forecasting and leadership

Significant experience in developing and maintaining client relationships

Have in‐depth knowledge of Performance Improvement philosophy and implementation

Significant experience of managing work in a fast paced retail environment

Previous experience of presenting to Senior Management/Board level

Strong experience of dealing with large P&L budgets

Proven track record of operational management for client services departments