Assistant General Manager - Procurement (Square Billets)

Company Overview

Karamtara Engineering Ltd. is a leading integrated manufacturer specializing in renewable energy and transmission line products. Established in 1996, the company is recognized as the largest Indian manufacturer by installed capacity for solar mounting structures and tracker components as of fiscal 2024 and mid-2025. With a diverse product lineup including solar structures, lattice towers, fasteners, and OHTL hardware fittings, Karamtara also plans to expand into wind energy manufacturing. Operating multiple production sites across India and Italy, and exporting to over 50 countries worldwide, the company serves a broad client base and aims to enhance global sales through expanded capacity and new facilities.

Role Summary

The Assistant General Manager (AGM) for Procurement specializing in Square Billets will oversee strategic sourcing, procurement planning, and assuring supply continuity of carbon steel square billets both domestically and internationally. The role involves vendor development, commercial negotiations, managing imports, mitigating supply risks, and closely coordinating with production to ensure cost efficiency, compliance, and uninterrupted supply.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end procurement operations to fulfill rolling mill and manufacturing requirements for square billets.
• Formulate and implement sourcing strategies considering cost, availability, quality, and logistics for domestic and imported billets.
• Collaborate with production, sales, and planning teams to forecast and monitor billet demand.
• Identify, onboard, and maintain strong relationships with domestic billet suppliers including integrated steel plants.
• Negotiate pricing, contracts, delivery timelines, and credit terms with suppliers.
• Ensure billet quality meets chemical composition, dimensional, and internal standards.
• Manage international procurement including import contracts, shipping terms (CFR/CIF), letters of credit, and shipment arrangements.
• Coordinate with Customs House Agents, shipping lines, banks, inspectors, and insurance providers to ensure smooth import operations.
• Ensure adherence to customs regulations, DGFT guidelines, BIS standards, and trade compliance.
• Monitor market trends and analyze prices for billets, scrap, iron ore, freight, and currency fluctuations.
• Develop risk mitigation strategies such as timing purchases and hedging to optimize costs.
• Maintain market intelligence through industry contacts and supplier networks.
• Oversee quality assurance processes, including third-party inspections, certifications (MTCs), and addressing any quality issues or supplier corrective actions.
• Drive cost optimization by balancing supplier mix, negotiating vigorously, and managing import versus domestic sourcing.
• Establish contingency plans to manage supply disruptions and maintain buffer inventory.
• Build and sustain long-term partnerships with vendors ensuring performance evaluation on cost, quality, reliability, and delivery.
• Lead supplier audits, contract renewals, and regular performance reviews.
• Mentor and supervise procurement and logistics teams, ensuring compliance with corporate policies and ethical standards.
• Prepare procurement reports, budgets, forecasts, and present comprehensive MIS to senior management.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Metallurgy, Mechanical, or Production Engineering (BE/B.Tech).
• Advanced degree like MBA or PGDM specializing in Materials Management, Supply Chain, or Operations is preferred.
• 15 to 20 years of extensive experience in steel raw material procurement, including at least 5 to 7 years in a senior procurement or leadership role.
• Demonstrated expertise in sourcing square billets both from domestic and international markets.

Skills and Competencies

• Comprehensive knowledge of square billets, steel manufacturing processes, and rolling requirements.
• Proficiency in international trade procedures, including imports, Incoterms, and letter of credit management.
• Strong negotiation and contract management abilities.
• Ability to analyze market trends and perform risk assessments.
• Leadership skills with capability to manage teams and stakeholders effectively.
• Excellent communication skills and ability to coordinate with global suppliers and internal departments.

Preferred Industrial Experience

• Experience with integrated steel plants, rolling mills, rerollers, or EPC/infrastructure steel sectors.
• Background working with large trading firms or commodity procurement entities.

Additional Information

Location for this position is Worli, Mumbai. Candidates with relevant experience in procurement of billets are encouraged to apply. The role demands comprehensive knowledge and hands-on experience in both domestic and international procurement markets to ensure consistent supply and cost efficiency.