Job Description

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Category Manager - Surfactants & Specialty RM
Godrej Industries Limited (Chemicals)
Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Job Title: Category Manager - Surfactants & Specialty RM
Job Type: Permanent, Full-time
Function: Sourcing and Logistics
Business: Godrej Industries Limited (Chemicals)
Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
About Godrej Industries Group (GIG)
At the Godrej Industries Group, we are privileged to serve over 1.1 billion consumers globally through our businesses with market leadership positions in the consumer products, real estate, agriculture, financial services and chemicals industries.
About Godrej Industries Limited (Chemicals)
Godrej Industries Limited (Chemicals Division) is one of the oldest businesses of the Godrej Group with a rich legacy and a pioneering presence in the Chemicals Industry. We proactively collaborate with our partners to create sustainable solutions in the Oleochemicals, Surfactants, Speciality Chemicals and Biotech business segments.
About the role
The incumbent will be responsible for carrying out activities for Procurement / commodity buyer at Godrej Industries Ltd - Chemicals business for BU surfactants. We seek a strategic Sourcing Manager to lead the procurement of Oleo Chemical specialty raw materials, Surfactants. This role demands a deep understanding of industry dynamics, supplier relationships, and supply chain optimization to drive cost efficiency, risk mitigation, and innovation.
Key Responsibilities

• Ensure compliance with all company policies and procedures related to sourcing and procurement
• Analyze sourcing data and generate reports to identify cost savings initiatives, procurement optimization and consolidation opportunities.
• Develop and execute a comprehensive sourcing strategy aligned with the company's business objectives for AO/LA/LAB/LA ethoxylates and speciality RMs.
• Periodic monitoring of benchmark price and crude prices. Tracking price trends of Ethylene, Ethylene oxide, CPKO, Fatty alcohols, LAB & some other commodities.
• Conduct in-depth market analysis to identify emerging trends, supply-demand dynamics, potential disruptions and define risk mitigation strategies.
• Achieve cost reduction targets of minimum 3-5% EBITDA savings through strategic sourcing, bulk buying, hedging, and optimizing working capital. Manage a spend of INR 500-600 crores
• Apply Porter's Five Forces model to assess the competitive landscape of the Oleo Chemical raw materials industry.
• Utilize supplier relationship quadrants to categorize suppliers based on profit impact and supply risk.
• Develop tailored strategies for each supplier segment along with respective Product Managers/BUs
• Conduct in-depth TCO analysis to identify cost-saving opportunities across the supply chain.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to conduct value engineering studies and implement cost-reduction initiatives.
• Collaborate with manufacturing teams to optimize inventory levels and manage lead times to optimize supply chain efficiency

Vendor development

• Identify, qualify, and onboard new/alternate suppliers to ensure a global, diversified and reliable supply base.
• Diversify sourcing regions for de-risking supply chain.
• Build strong partnerships with strategic suppliers to create joint value and mitigate supply chain risks.
• Negotiate contracts with suppliers to secure the most competitive prices, extended Payment and Inco terms.
• Implement and oversee vendor development initiatives to improve supplier performance with respect to cost optimization, lead time reductions, quality enhancements, and overall improved service levels.
• Drive sustainable procurement initiatives and system improvement projects.
• Handle ISO/TS Audits and customer audits/ audit suppliers.

Preferred / Good to have.

• Experience with vendor development and governance processes
• Experience with strategic sourcing tools and techniques (e.g., RFx, e-auctions, spend analysis, Strategic Sourcing Methodology)
• Demonstrated ability to apply strategic frameworks (e.g., Porter's Five Forces, Supplier Relationship Quadrants) to drive sourcing decisions.
• Proven experience in conducting TCO analysis, supply chain maturity assessments, and spend analysis.
• Strong analytical skills and ability to leverage data to drive decision-making.
• Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Supplier performance metrics

Industry-Specific Focus

• The successful candidate will possess a deep understanding of the Oleo Chemical industry, including its challenges and opportunities. They will be adept at managing fluctuations in raw material prices, ensuring compliance with stringent quality and regulatory standards, and balancing sustainability with cost-effectiveness. Additionally, the candidate will identify and capitalize on emerging market trends, develop strong supplier partnerships, and leverage advanced technologies to enhance supply chain performance.

Soft Skills and Interpersonal Abilities

• The ideal candidate will possess strong interpersonal and communication skills to build and maintain effective relationships with internal and external stakeholders. They will be adept at negotiation, influencing, and collaboration. Additionally, the candidate will demonstrate strong problem-solving, decision-making, and time management skills.

Ethical Conduct

• As a key member of the organization, the Sourcing Manager is expected to adhere to the highest ethical standards. This includes maintaining integrity in supplier relationships, complying with company policies and industry regulations, and promoting fair and transparent business practices.

Who are we looking for?
Education:

• B. Tech /BE in Chemical Engineering,
• MBA in Supply Chain Management, or a related field (preferred).
• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and SAP systems

Experience:

• RM buyer for a mid-size/large chemical/commodity business
• Proven track record of successfully negotiating contracts and securing cost savings.
• Min 10-12 Years exp in purchase

Skills:

• Strategic agility; understanding market logistics trends
• Product knowledge
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills
• Ability to influence without authority
• Data documentation and interpretation
• Innovative thinking
• Proactive approach
• Business acumen and financial understanding
• Executive presence to build top-top customer relationships

Whats in it for you?
Be an equal parent
Maternity support, including paid leave ahead of statutory guidelines, and flexible work options on return
Paternity support, including paid leave
New mothers can bring a caregiver and children under a year old, on work travel
Adoption support; gender neutral and based on the primary caregiver, with paid leave options
No place for discrimination at Godrej
Gender-neutral anti-harassment policy
Same sex partner benefits at par with married spouses
Gender transition support
We are selfish about your wellness
Comprehensive health insurance plans, as well as accident coverage for you and your family, with top-up options
Uncapped sick leave
Mental wellness and self-care programmes, resources and counselling
Celebrating wins, the Godrej Way
Structured recognition platforms for individual, team and business-level achievements
Performance-based earning opportunities
An inclusive Godrej
Before you go, there is something important we want to highlight. There is no place for discrimination at Godrej. Diversity is the philosophy of who we are as a company. And has been for over a century. Its not just in our DNA and nice to do. Being more diverse - especially having our team members reflect the diversity of our businesses and communities - helps us innovate better and grow faster. We hope this resonates with you.
We take pride in being an equal opportunities employer. We recognise merit and encourage diversity. We do not tolerate any form of discrimination on the basis of nationality, race, colour, religion, caste, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, or marital status and ensure equal opportunities for all our team members.
If this sounds like a role for you, apply now!
We look forward to meeting you.