Assistant Sourcing Manager - Indirect Spend & Strategic Sourcing

Assistant Sourcing Manager

Global Category Expert (Sr Analyst) are expert practitioners in creating competitive environments and have a strong bias for decision-making rooted in data and analytics. They routinely influence Indirect Spend vendor relationships by advising senior leaders on innovative sourcing strategies that create sustainable, long-term partnerships. They are highly effective communicators, able to articulate the value proposition that procurement can bring to their organizations. The role need to have hands on experience in supplier negotiations, auctions/advanced negotiation methods, Supplier relationship management, data analytics, Power BI, Usage of AI/Copilot in Sourcing activities (reporting, MS Tools etc.), creating Power BI , SAP, Category Strategy , Knowledge of Vendor market ,Willing to start from scratch, Knowledge of Indirect & Economic Megatrends etc.

MAJOR JOB DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES (List in order of importance)

Strategic Sourcing

• The role will be responsible as a seasoned category buyer who can handle Supplier negotiations, Contract Management, Supplier mentorships, Supplier relationship management, S2C , Stake Holder Management , Risk Management & Category Management.

• Market research for Indirect commodities, can handle Global subcategories individually.

• Basic understanding of SaaS/on-prem licensing models

• Basic literacy on existing software landscape and trends

• Eagerness to learn more about IT trends in modern corporate environment

• Responsible for market assessments, prequalification, and RFQ processes

• Issue inquiries (RFQ), evaluate received quotation and negotiate commercial terms. Select the most appropriate suppliers, through the definition and analysis of objective criteria, to meet the needs of the business.

• Achieve systematic and sustainable cost reductions through strengthened spend and category management processes.

• Manage and run renegotiations with relevant suppliers for any contract renewals.

• Manage supplier relations, monitor performance, initiate and follow up supplier development activities and improvements.

• Maintain contract archive system.

• Ensure compliance with company guidelines, purchasing policies and procedures.

• In cooperation with the global category manager identify new areas for improvements, identify cost reduction.

• Evaluating supplier core competencies and competitive positioning using industry cost models and bench-marking analysis.

• Managing the fundamentals of sourcing and supplier engagement activities including RFx, spend pattern analysis, contract analysis, bid evaluation, auctions, negotiations, and supplier consolidation.

• Process requests as per requirement – meet and exceed KPIs defined/set parameters.

• Deliver tasks as per Service Level requirements specified by the Business Unit/Center/Stakeholder.

• Upskill process knowledge from time to time.

• Able to work in a team – understand role in team - help accomplish team goals and objectives – meet and exceed stakeholder objectives/goals

• Developing, implementing and managing robust market analyses / bench-marking processes; leveraging key-insights to inform and support the category strategy development process.

Business Partnering

• Partner with leadership teams in exploring & identification of cost saving opportunities.

• Identifying the opportunities of centralized sourcing in place of standalone sourcing and avoiding the maverick spend.

• Establishing strong relationships with internal business stakeholders; building a strong understanding of strategic business direction, requirements and priorities across assigned suppliers and/or spend categories.

• Uphold VWR Culture, Values at all times

• Willingness to work in any shift

• Flexibility for any lateral movement amongst the various Business Functions

• Working with business and finance colleagues to identify and drive savings and controllership improvements, focusing on total cost of ownership.

• Providing guidance to internal stakeholders on procurement strategies; maintaining procurement ethics in accordance with Avantor’s global policies.

• Act as Finance Business Partner for indirect sourcing Operations team, understanding the key priorities of business/function and providing insights with forward-looking analysis on indirect spend. Initiate discussions/reviews with business partners to enable them in taking key business decisions.

• Understanding & Providing In-depth analysis of indirect spend analytics at global level by supplier, region, categories, and by other types using AFO,SAP & QlikView etc. Identifying & proposing productivity opportunities.

• Analyzing trends & providing proactive recommendations to the leadership team by highlighting potential business risks & opportunities.

• Partner with Finance/Operations leadership on ad hoc projects/reporting as per the ongoing business requirements.

• Assessing the existing KPI’s/reports of assigned businesses/functions, identifying the gaps in current process, proposing necessary changes to business partners and playing an active role in implementing the proactive mechanisms in measuring & driving business results.

Driving Key Processes

• Partner with FP&A team & accounting team in avoiding wrong allocation of costs.

• Actively involve in performance review discussions with Finance/Operations leadership teams and providing necessary suggestions to the leadership team on the way forward approach.

• Assisting finance leadership in driving the key business-specific /global initiatives.

• If required able to map the existing processes & implement efficiency improvement measures with new processes.

Operational/Functional Excellence

• Closely Working with leadership teams in adopting the ABS practices for Strategic Sourcing.

• Collaborate with other team members, identify & implement process simplifications/ improvements. Adopt the best/standard practices across teams.

• Prepare necessary process documentation of all the deliverables and periodical review of the existing documentation and make necessary changes to ensure the latest business changes are incorporated.

• Prepare financial analysis for various “what if” scenarios and sensitivity analysis in analyzing the business impact.

Mentoring

• Coach and mentor new team members to make them successful in their respective role by assisting them in new transitions, having knowledge sharing sessions etc.

QUALIFICATIONS (Education/Training, Experience and Certifications)

• Master’s degree in Materials Management or bachelor’s degree in science/commerce/engineering/economics with relevant experience in Indirect Spend Strategic Sourcing.

• Minimum 8-12 years of experience Indirect Spend Strategic Sourcing (S2C), preferably in MNC’s Captive Finance Shared Services Organizations/Global Centers or in Indian reputed manufacturing companies.

• Prior experience in Working with Pharma companies preferred.

• Six Sigma or Lean training preferred, but not mandatory.

• A working knowledge of the wide-ranging aspects of finance such as FP&A, Accounting, Integrated Supply Chain & Costing.

• Experience in leveraging financial and business systems to monitor business activities and aid in decision making.

KNOWLEDGE SKILLS AND ABILITIES (Those necessary to perform the job competently)

• Transformation mindset - Open to accept, adopt, absorb the change in way of working, structure and Content.

• Comfortable working in a matrix environment with multiple stakeholders. Ability to work with executives, managers, and stakeholders from various regions/functions.

• Excellent interpersonal, communication, analytical skills; demonstrated leadership abilities, and the ability to manage multiple priorities of the leadership in a highly dynamic & fast paced environment.

• Ability to explain the business performance with the data.

• Computer Proficiency with strong ERP knowledge preferably SAP, MS Office, Tableau, Alteryx, QlikView & HFM.

• Strong affinity with LEAN processes and tools.

• Strong interpersonal, communication skills.

• Independent, self-starter, highly motivated.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job.

Disclaimer:
The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position. Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.

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Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life-changing science.
 
The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor.
 
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Experience Level

Mid Level