General Manager - Sourcing

We are seeking a highly experienced and strategic Head of Sourcing to lead our India-based sourcing organization. This individual will be responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring operational excellence. Leading a team of 20 associates and overseeing a sourcing portfolio supporting $10M in sales, this leader will play a pivotal role in driving cost optimization, supplier reliability, and technical excellence.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Sourcing Vendor Development

• Identify, qualify, and develop high-quality suppliers across India, with a focus on machined and fabricated components, castings, forgings, heat treatment, special finishes (with varied raw material including ferrous, nonferrous, plastic and rubber) , and capital equipment parts.
• Leverage deep industry expertise and a strong vendor network to onboard reliable suppliers quickly and effectively.
• Develop and implement a robust supplier strategy that balances cost efficiency, quality, and delivery reliability.

2. Supplier Management Commercial Negotiation

• Maintain and enhance long-term relationships with existing vendors, ensuring supply chain reliability and performance.
• Lead contract negotiations and agreement structuring to secure the best commercial terms without compromising quality and service levels.
• Conduct regular supplier audits and performance assessments, implementing corrective actions as necessary to uphold stringent standards.

3. Technical Quality Assurance Leadership

• Ensure all vendor-supplied parts and components meet global engineering, quality, and compliance standards required for US and European machinery manufacturers.
• Collaborate closely with the quality assurance and engineering teams to address technical challenges and implement process improvements.
• Drive corrective action plans with vendors to mitigate quality risks and ensure production continuity.

4. Operational Excellence Financial Oversight

• Optimize sourcing operations to reduce lead times, improve cost efficiencies, and enhance overall supply chain performance.
• Manage and oversee a sourcing budget of $10M, ensuring cost-effective procurement strategies.
• Monitor and analyze sourcing expenditures, continuously identifying opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements.

5. Team Leadership Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of 20 sourcing professionals, fostering a culture of accountability, innovation, and high performance. Team members are located in both Chennai and Gandhinagar.
• Provide strategic direction and training to enhance supplier management capabilities within the team.
• Ensure strong cross-functional collaboration with engineering, production, logistics, and finance teams to align sourcing efforts with business goals.
• Grow sourcing organization volume 3x over next 5 years. Do this by building and scaling team in order to meet growth expectations while simultaneously increasing operational efficiency.

Qualifications Experience:

• 20+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or vendor development, with expertise in machined and fabricated components for capital equipment.
• Strong technical understanding of manufacturing processes, material sourcing, and supply chain dynamics.
• Proven ability to develop, negotiate, and manage supplier relationships in India, supporting global supply chains for US and European markets.
• Experience in managing sourcing portfolios of $5M+, driving cost savings while maintaining quality and service levels.
• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and analytical abilities.
• Bachelor s or Master s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite and procurement software.
• Role requires travel up to 50%.