Assistant Procurement Manager - Flexible Packaging

Asst Procurement Manager, Flexible Packaging - India

About Unilever:

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Job Title: Asst Procurement Manager, Flexible Packaging - India

Department: Procurement

Profession: Supply Chain

Location: Mumbai,

Main Job Purpose

Flexible packaging is a € 200m spend portfolio and a critical growth and value driver for Unilever, representing almost 50% of packaging spend in India. As Unilever advances its commitments on sustainability, recyclability, and end-to-end value chain resilience, the Flexibles Procurement team plays a pivotal role in delivering competitive costs, reliable supply, innovation readiness, desirability and responsible sourcing.

It is a techno-commercial position requiring strong understanding of packaging materials, supplier capabilities, cost structures, and supply chain dynamics. The role ensures executional excellence across sourcing, contracting, supplier development, and portfolio governance while contributing to the broader flexible’s strategy. This role also helps the overall business with appropriate pricing signals to stay competitive in market.

Key Accountabilities:

Category & Supplier Management

Execute sourcing strategies for flexibles packaging aligned with regional and global procurement frameworks.

Lead day to day supplier management and negotiations including performance reviews, capability assessments, and development plans.

Maintain strong external relationships to ensure consistent service, quality, and innovation support.

Contracting & Pricing

Drive timely contracting cycles and quarterly price rollouts to ensure OTIF ordering for factories.

Build and validate cost models factoring in feedstock trends, inflation drivers, and supplier quotations.

Maintain strong coordination with Finance on price confirmation and GM impacts.

 Cost Efficiency & Value Delivery

Deliver savings through 5S, ZBB initiatives, alternative sourcing, specification harmonization, and NMCI mitigation.

Track, report, and validate value delivery metrics in collaboration with Finance and global reporting teams.

Operations, Forecasting & Reporting

Support forecasting cycles for India and contribute to South Asia-level procurement reporting.

Ensure data accuracy, timely submission, and robust analysis to guide category decisions.

Manage portfolio dashboards, trackers, and performance indicators.

 Innovation

Support innovation projects and new networks by ensuring packaging readiness.

Work closely with R&D, Brand, SUIT, Planning, and Factory teams to enable seamless landing of new innovations.

 Sustainability & Compliance

Support Unilever’s sustainability commitments including recyclability, plastic reduction, and carbon footprint improvement.

Drive supplier adherence to Responsible Sourcing Policies (RSP) and ethical procurement norms.

Professional Skills:

• Technical understanding of flexible packaging formats, materials, and cost drivers.
• Strong commercial acumen with ability to negotiate, analyse cost structures, and assess supplier competitiveness.
• Good understanding of supply chain and manufacturing processes.
• High proficiency with digital tools (SAP, Ariba, MS Office, MS Copilot, Coupa, Power BI; advanced Excel desirable).
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills, especially in cross-functional setups.
• Ability to work with ambiguity, drive clarity, and manage multiple priorities.

Experience Required:

Essential

• University degree; Master’s preferred (Supply Chain, Packaging, Engineering, or Business).
• 4–7 years of Procurement
• Hands-on experience in supplier negotiations, contracting, and cost management.
• Financial acumen for forecasting, cost modelling, and business case development.
• Experience in project management and cross-functional coordination.

Desirable

• Certification in Packaging (e.g., IIP, SIES).
• Exposure to packaging materials procurement
• Experience executing sustainability or efficiency programs.
• Understanding of circular economy, recyclability norms, and feedstock economics.

Travel:

• 10–20% travel within India for supplier visits, audits, capability assessments, and factory interactions.

Internal

Procurement (Local, Regional & Global), R&D, Planning, SUIT, Supply Chain, Factory Teams, Finance, Brand, Strategy & Insights, Sustainability, Data & Analytics Teams.

External

Flexible packaging suppliers & converters, feedstock suppliers, sustainability partners, benchmarking agencies, technology and service providers.

Experience Level

Mid Level