Category Manager – Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

Experience: 8–10 Years
Band: BPO 4/5
Salary: ₹11–12 LPA
Role: Category Manager
Employment Type: Full-Time

Job Overview

We are looking for an experienced Category Manager to develop and implement category management strategies and strategic sourcing plans. The candidate will be responsible for analyzing market trends, procurement data, material indices, supplier performance, cost structures, and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) to optimize purchasing decisions.

The role involves driving cost savings, managing supplier relationships, conducting negotiations, and improving procurement efficiency through data-driven insights and market intelligence. Knowledge of the Kraljic Matrix and strategic sourcing methodologies is essential.

Key Responsibilities

1. Category Management & Strategic Sourcing

• Develop category management strategies and sourcing plans.

• Analyze market trends, material indices, cost structures, and procurement data.

• Apply the Kraljic Matrix to support strategic procurement decisions.

• Evaluate Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and identify cost optimization opportunities.

• Create sourcing projects within ERP systems.

• Conduct supplier negotiations and bid evaluations.

2. Data Analysis & Reporting

• Analyze procurement and spend data to identify trends and cost-saving opportunities.

• Develop dashboards and reports to monitor procurement KPIs.

• Track supplier performance and procurement effectiveness.

• Prepare savings reports using Power BI.

• Monitor CAPEX and OPEX savings performance.

3. Supplier Evaluation & Management

• Evaluate supplier capabilities, pricing, and contractual compliance.

• Support vendor selection and supplier onboarding.

• Monitor supplier quality and on-time delivery performance.

• Build effective supplier relationships and improve vendor performance.

4. Stakeholder Management & Negotiations

• Coordinate with internal stakeholders to understand procurement requirements.

• Conduct commercial negotiations and contract discussions.

• Manage stakeholder expectations and sourcing project requirements.

• Support procurement planning and decision-making.

5. Process Optimization

• Identify inefficiencies in procurement workflows.

• Recommend improvements to sourcing and purchasing processes.

• Support automation and digitization initiatives.

• Drive continuous improvement in procurement operations.

6. Compliance & Risk Management

• Ensure procurement activities comply with internal policies and regulatory requirements.

• Monitor contract terms and identify potential risks or deviations.

• Conduct procurement risk analysis and support mitigation strategies.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Category Management

• Strategic Sourcing

• Procurement & Supply Chain Management

• Supplier Relationship Management

• Vendor Management

• Spend Analysis

• Market Analysis

• Cost Optimization & Cost Savings

• CAPEX & OPEX Management

• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO)

• Kraljic Matrix

• Contract Management & Negotiation

• Bid Evaluation

• Procurement Data Analysis

• Microsoft Excel

• Power BI & Dashboard Reporting

• ERP Systems – SAP, Ariba, Oracle, Coupa

• Stakeholder Management

• Risk Analysis

• Process Improvement & Automation

Eligibility Criteria

• Minimum 15 years of regular, full-time education (10+2+3).

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Finance, or a related field.

• B.Tech preferred.

• 8–10 years of relevant experience in Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, or Procurement.

• Strong sourcing background with excellent analytical and negotiation skills.

• Experience with procurement analytics and ERP systems.

• Procurement certifications such as CPSM or CIPS will be an added advantage.

Additional Information

• Candidates must be willing to work from the Chennai location.

• Former TCS employees are not eligible to apply.

• PAN and Date of Birth (DOB) are mandatory for candidate profile creation.

Interested candidates with strong experience in Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, Supplier Management, and Procurement Analytics are encouraged to apply.