Head of Procurement

Key Responsibilities1. Procurement Strategy & LeadershipDevelop and execute the overall procurement strategy aligned with business and growth objectives.Build a robust and scalable procurement organisation, processes and governance framework.Lead procurement planning across business functions and locations.Establish procurement policies, SOPs, approval matrices and compliance mechanisms.Drive centralisation and standardisation of procurement wherever commercially viable.2. Strategic Sourcing & Cost OptimisationLead strategic sourcing initiatives across key categories and spend areas.Identify opportunities for cost savings, value engineering, alternate sourcing and supplier consolidation.Negotiate commercial terms, pricing, payment terms, rebates, contracts and SLAs with suppliers.Develop should-cost/benchmarking mechanisms and ensure competitive sourcing.Drive annualised savings and procurement-led productivity improvements.3. Vendor ManagementDevelop and maintain a strong and competitive supplier ecosystem.Lead vendor identification, evaluation, onboarding, negotiation and performance management.Establish supplier scorecards covering cost, quality, service levels, delivery and compliance.Develop alternate suppliers and contingency plans for critical categories.Manage strategic supplier relationships and resolve major commercial or service escalations.4. Direct & Indirect ProcurementOversee procurement of raw materials, packaging, consumables, merchandise, food ingredients and other business-critical materials, wherever applicable.Manage indirect procurement across categories such as services, logistics-related requirements, office/admin requirements, technology-related procurement and other operating expenses.Partner with business teams to understand demand and ensure timely availability.5. Procurement Planning & Supply ContinuityWork closely with Operations, Supply Chain, Category and Business teams to ensure uninterrupted availability of materials and services.Develop procurement plans based on business forecasts, seasonality and demand trends.Identify supply risks and proactively develop mitigation plans.Improve procurement lead times and supplier fulfilment performance.6. Contracts & Commercial GovernanceLead commercial negotiations and ensure appropriate contractual arrangements with strategic vendors.Ensure adherence to agreed pricing, payment terms, SLAs and contractual obligations.Work closely with Finance and Legal on vendor contracts, commercial terms and risk management.Strengthen controls around purchase orders, vendor onboarding and procurement approvals.7. Data, Analytics & TechnologyEstablish procurement dashboards and MIS covering spend, savings, vendor performance, purchase cycle time and compliance.Develop spend visibility and category-wise procurement analytics.Leverage technology, automation and procurement platforms to improve efficiency and transparency.Identify opportunities for process digitisation and AI-led procurement analytics/automation.8. Cross-Functional CollaborationPartner closely with COO, Finance, Operations, Supply Chain, Category, Technology, Marketing and other business teams.Act as a strategic business partner rather than a transactional procurement function.Ensure procurement decisions balance cost, quality, availability, customer experience and business requirements.Key Performance IndicatorsProcurement savings and cost optimisationSpend under procurement controlSupplier availability and fulfilmentVendor performance and SLA adherenceProcurement cycle timeSupplier consolidation and alternate sourcingContract and process complianceWorking capital/payment-term optimisationProcurement process automation and digitisationReduction in supply disruptions and procurement-related escalationsCandidate Profile12–18 years of relevant experience in procurement/sourcing, with significant experience leading a procurement function.Strong experience in strategic sourcing, category management, negotiations and vendor management.Experience managing both direct and indirect procurement.Proven track record of delivering measurable cost savings and commercial improvements.Strong understanding of procurement processes, contracts, supplier governance and compliance.Experience working in a fast-paced, multi-location and high-volume business environment.Strong analytical, negotiation, stakeholder management and leadership skills.Ability to build and manage a high-performing procurement team.Strong commercial orientation with a data-driven approach to decision-making.Preferred ExperienceCandidates from FMCG, Retail, E-commerce, Food & Beverage, QSR, Hospitality or other consumer-facing, high-volume businesses will be preferred.