Senior Manager – Supply Chain (Commercial Focus)

Function: Supply Chain | Procurement | Commercial
Location: CN Water – HO (with travel to vendor / project sites)
Reporting To: Management Committee

???? Role Purpose

This role is designed to strengthen the commercial backbone of the supply chain function, with a strong focus on cost optimization, vendor negotiation, and procurement governance.

The incumbent will work closely with engineering and project teams to ensure cost-effective sourcing, commercial discipline, and timely material availability, complementing the existing technical strengths within the organization.

???? Key Responsibilities

1. Commercial Procurement & Cost Control

• Drive commercial negotiations with vendors to achieve cost savings and favorable terms
• Lead cost benchmarking, rate analysis, and contract finalization
• Establish rate contracts and commercial frameworks across key categories
• Ensure strong control on budgets, margins, and procurement costs

2. Vendor Management & Commercial Governance

• Build and manage a competitive vendor ecosystem
• Lead commercial evaluations, negotiations, and contract structuring
• Drive vendor performance tracking from a cost and delivery lens
• Develop alternate vendors to reduce dependency and improve pricing power

3. Cross-Functional Alignment

• Act as a bridge between Finance, SCM, and Project teams
• Partner with engineering for value engineering and cost optimization initiatives
• Support project teams in commercial decision-making and procurement planning

4. Planning & Execution Support

• Ensure timely procurement aligned to project schedules
• Monitor material availability vs. project timelines
• Support inventory planning with a focus on working capital optimization

5. Process & Compliance

• Drive procurement governance, SOPs, and approval workflows
• Ensure commercial compliance, documentation, and audit readiness
• Support ERP-driven tracking of procurement, costs, and vendor performance

???? Key Deliverables / KPIs

• Procurement cost savings and margin improvement
• Improved vendor negotiation outcomes
• Reduction in cost overruns and emergency procurement
• Strong commercial discipline across projects
• Timely material availability aligned to project schedules

???? Qualifications & Experience

• Preferred: CA (Chartered Accountant)
• Alternate: MBA Finance / B.Com
• Experience: 10–15 years in procurement / SCM / commercial roles
• Experience in engineering, EPC, water treatment, or industrial projects preferred

???? Key Skills

• Strong commercial acumen & negotiation skills
• Cost analysis, pricing strategy & contract management
• Vendor development & relationship management
• Cross-functional stakeholder management
• ERP and data-driven decision-making

???? Behavioral Attributes

• High ownership and accountability
• Strong commercial mindset with attention to detail
• Structured and process-driven approach
• Ability to influence and drive decisions across teams