Assistant Manager Purchase

Role Overview

This position sits within procurement for new product and new SKU packaging material planning. The role focuses on ensuring that all packing material needs for new launches are developed, tracked, sourced, purchased, and delivered on time, while maintaining cost discipline, inventory control, and smooth coordination across functions.

Procurement Planning and New SKU Support

• Arrange and develop all packaging materials required for new products and new SKUs.
• Follow up on packing material availability in line with new SKU demand.
• Raise root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions for stock shortages or delays caused by purchasing issues, and escalate exceptions in supply to the operations team.
• Share requirement forecasts with vendors based on production plans for new SKUs.
• Track the full development cycle for new products, from receipt of artwork and specifications to final packing material delivery.
• Handle procurement support across approximately 5 to 10 plants, covering around 200 to 300 new packing material items each month and an annual purchase value of about Rs. 100 to 120 crores.
• Address issues linked to shade cards, online approvals, and similar procurement dependencies.

Inventory Management

• Ensure inventory is organized and maintained according to new SKU requirements.
• Manage resolution of non-moving and slow-moving packaging materials.

Vendor Development and Sourcing

• Identify, assess, and onboard approved vendors for new SKU development.
• Scout for additional vendors to reduce risk on critical materials and share vendor details with the vendor management team.
• Issue RFQs, evaluate quotations, and perform techno-commercial comparisons.
• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to support dependable supply, quality, and commercial advantage.
• Monitor supplier performance on an ongoing basis.

Purchase Order Management

• Track auto-generated purchase orders created through system-driven requirements for new SKUs.
• Prepare and release purchase orders for manual requisitions in line with internal control requirements.
• Monitor supply progress and ensure materials are delivered on time against issued purchase orders.

Cost Control and Negotiation

• Work with packaging material costing and commercial evaluation.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and delivery schedules to drive savings.
• Carry out comparative cost studies and prepare negotiation summaries.
• Monitor share of business allocations as approved, and work to lower material cost through optimal SOB distribution.
• Support costing managers in productivity and cost-reduction initiatives.

Cross-Functional Coordination and Documentation

• Coordinate with operations, plants, supply chain, marketing, QA-QC, accounts, and suppliers to keep procurement processes running smoothly.
• Confirm that technical specifications and required approvals are in place before purchase activity begins.
• Keep procurement records, agreements, and supporting documents accurate and audit-ready.

Compliance and Continuous Improvement

• Follow company policies, procurement SOPs, and compliance requirements.
• Look for ways to improve process efficiency, reduce cost, and strengthen procurement performance.
• Update procurement-related master data on time.
• Take part in ERP/MIS system enhancements and support digital procurement activities.
• Prepare periodic reports, including exception reporting for supply and inventory issues for new SKUs.
• Complete workflow requirements in the system for specification changes in packing materials.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong understanding of procurement across packaging material categories such as plastics, flexible packaging, duplex boards, labels, corrugated materials, tin containers, MS drums, and aluminium tubes.
• Working knowledge of SAP and MS Office.
• Commercial judgment and functional procurement capability.
• Hands-on, team-oriented mindset with a proactive approach.
• Clear communication, coordination, and problem-solving ability.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and work within tight timelines.

Experience and Education

• Prior purchasing experience in packaging material procurement, preferably 5 years or more.
• Degree or diploma in packaging or supply chain preferred.
• MBA or diploma in supply chain or materials management is an added advantage.

Additional Information

Location: Mumbai, Maharashtra, India. This is a full-time, onsite role. No vacancy count, salary, start date, or application deadline has been specified.