Associate Director

# Associate Director ## Job Summary The **Associate Director** will lead sourcing and procurement activities across multiple categories, including agri products, dairy/perishables, packaging, raw materials, services, and CAPEX. The role aims to build a robust vendor base, drive cost efficiencies, ensure supply continuity, and collaborate closely with various internal teams such as supply chain, quality, and NPD to support organizational growth and operational excellence. ## Responsibilities - Develop and execute sourcing strategies for raw materials, agri/dairy products, packaging, services, and CAPEX to meet organizational needs. - Identify, evaluate, and develop vendors, negotiate commercial terms, and establish long-term contracts to optimize costs and supply reliability. - Drive cost savings initiatives through effective negotiations, commodity tracking, and sourcing programs. - Collaborate with the Supply Chain team on demand planning, inventory management, and Sales & Operations Planning (S&OP) to ensure uninterrupted supply. - Monitor vendor performance across quality, cost, and delivery metrics; implement corrective actions as needed. - Establish strategic outsourcing and supply partnerships for manufacturing, warehousing, and other supply chain requirements. - Work with the NPD team on sourcing for new product launches and support the smooth scale-up of new products. - Ensure compliance with food safety, quality standards, and regulatory requirements. - Lead, mentor, and develop the procurement team, fostering collaboration with cross-functional stakeholders. ## Qualifications - **8–12+ years** of experience in sourcing/procurement, preferably within **F&B, dairy, agriculture, or perishable products**. - Strong hands-on experience in **dairy, perishables, and grains**. - Exposure to **packaging, IT, and CAPEX procurement**. - Proven experience managing sourcing across **multiple locations and geographies in India**. - Excellent vendor development, negotiation, and cost optimization skills. - Good understanding of **demand planning and S&OP processes**. - Experience managing a team of **4–5+ members**. - Knowledge of outsourcing and strategic partnerships is advantageous. - Understanding of **food safety, quality, and regulatory standards**. - Educational qualifications: **MBA from a Tier 1/Tier 2 institute** preferred; strong graduation background also considered. ## Preferred Skills - Strong leadership and team management capabilities. - Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills. - Analytical mindset with proficiency in sourcing and procurement tools. - Ability to work in a fast-paced, dynamic environment. - Strategic thinking and problem-solving skills. --- *Note: The start date is within 90 days from the date of offer.*