Assistant Manager - Indirect Procurement

Overview

This role involves handling strategic sourcing, onboarding suppliers, managing vendor performance, coordinating contracts, optimizing costs, and reporting procurement activities across indirect spend categories. The incumbent is expected to independently manage routine procurement requirements while assisting on larger cross-department projects under managerial guidance.

Core Responsibilities

• Oversee procurement processes for indirect categories including HR services, recruitment, training, IT hardware/software, facilities, office management, professional services, travel, and marketing.
• Collaborate with internal teams to understand their requirements and devise sourcing strategies that align with company goals.
• Identify and assess suppliers through structured evaluations, facilitating their onboarding.
• Conduct RFQs, RFPs, and reverse auctions to secure cost-effective procurement outcomes.
• Ensure timely acquisition of goods and services maintaining quality, compliance, and service standards.
• Develop and preserve a robust supplier network to ensure business continuity.
• Evaluate supplier performance regularly and initiate continuous improvement plans.
• Handle supplier relations, manage disputes, and verify contract and SLA compliance.
• Assess supplier risks and implement mitigation strategies as necessary.
• Lead commercial negotiations to achieve favorable pricing, payment terms, and contracts.
• Initiate cost reduction and value enhancement projects within indirect spend areas.
• Analyze spending patterns, market developments, and supplier data to find savings and efficiency opportunities.
• Document procurement savings and value creation activities.
• Assist in contract preparation, review, execution, and renewal jointly with legal and other stakeholders.
• Ensure all procurement operations adhere to internal policies, regulatory standards, and ethical sourcing principles.
• Maintain precise and audit-ready procurement records.
• Foster strong collaboration with HR, IT, Admin, Facilities, Finance, and other teams to provide effective procurement solutions.
• Provide market insights and sourcing advice as a trusted partner.
• Enhance stakeholder satisfaction through consistent communication and excellent service.
• Generate procurement reports, track spending, evaluate supplier performance, and maintain savings dashboards.
• Monitor category spending and suggest improvements for procurement processes.
• Leverage procurement systems and tools to boost efficiency and transparency.

Performance Metrics

• Annual cost savings and avoidance in procurement.
• Supplier performance and SLA adherence.
• Efficiency in procurement lead times and sourcing processes.
• Contract compliance and the proportion of spend under management.
• Stakeholder satisfaction levels.
• Effectiveness in supplier risk and performance oversight.

Required Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Business Administration, Engineering, or related discipline.
• 5 to 10 years of experience in indirect procurement, strategic sourcing, or purchasing roles.
• Familiarity with procurement across categories such as HR services, IT, Administration, Facilities, Professional, and Corporate Services.
• Strong expertise in procurement processes, contract negotiation, and supplier management.

Key Competencies

• Effective sourcing strategies.
• Supplier relationship development and management.
• Strong negotiation and influencing capabilities.
• Cost control and optimization.
• Contract administration.
• Data-driven spend analysis and procurement analytics.
• Stakeholder engagement and management.
• Problem solving and informed decision making.
• Business and commercial understanding.
• Excellent communication and teamwork skills.