Procurement Specialist - FMCG

About the Role: - Manage end-to-end procurement of fruit pulp, dairy, dry fruits, and other agri-based raw materials along with packaging and indirect materials that go into Paper Boat's ethnic beverage and foods portfolio. - Build and manage a resilient, quality-first vendor base across domestic and international sourcing geographies (e.g. mango, jamun, and kokum from Indian growing regions; select fruit and seed sourcing from international markets) and Fairtrade-aligned sourcing programs (e.g. groundnut sourcing for chikki). - Partner with Manufacturing (Manesar & Mysuru plants), Quality, R&D, and Finance to align procurement plans with production schedules, seasonality of fruit harvests, and festival/seasonal-edition launches. Key Responsibilities: - Manage the full procurement lifecycle PR/RFQ/PO creation, vendor negotiation, contracting, and PO-to-GRN closure for fruit pulp/concentrate, dairy inputs, dry fruits, spices, and packaging materials. - Develop and execute category sourcing strategies for seasonal and agri-linked raw materials, planning ahead for harvest windows and building buffer stock strategies to de-risk seasonality. - Conduct vendor identification, qualification, and onboarding including farmer collectives / Fairtrade-certified suppliers through structured audits, sample evaluation, and commercial negotiation. - Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and rate contracts; track global commodity and agri-input price movements to inform sourcing decisions. - Track supplier OTIF and quality performance, lead structured vendor review meetings, and drive corrective actions for underperforming vendors. - Collaborate with Manufacturing and Demand Planning to align raw material procurement with production schedules, minimizing stockouts ahead of peak summer season and festival launches (e.g. Thandai, Panakam, Sherbet-e-Khas). - Identify and execute cost-saving initiatives through specification rationalization, vendor consolidation, and alternate/local sourcing development. - Maintain accurate procurement records, vendor contracts (including Fairtrade/ethical sourcing documentation), and MIS reports for management review. Desired Skills: - Strong negotiation and vendor management skills, ideally with exposure to agri-commodity or perishable raw material sourcing. - Solid understanding of procurement processes, contract management, and supplier performance frameworks in a food/beverage manufacturing setup. - Working knowledge of ERP systems (SAP MM, Oracle) for procurement transactions. - Advanced Excel skills for spend analysis and reporting; exposure to Power BI is an advantage. - Ability to manage multiple categories and stakeholders including seasonal/harvest-linked sourcing in a fast-paced FMCG environment. - High attention to detail with strong analytical and problem-solving ability; comfort working with both domestic and international suppliers. Education & Experience: - Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Food Technology, or Business; MBA preferred. - 5-7 years of procurement experience, preferably in FMCG, food & beverage, or agri-commodity sourcing. Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): - Cost savings achieved against category budgets. - Supplier OTIF and quality compliance, including for seasonal raw materials. - Procurement cycle time (PR to PO). - Vendor base diversification, ethical sourcing compliance, and risk mitigation.