Manager/Assistant Manager – Cycles & Procurement (Indirect)

About the Company

About Danone Group:

Mission: Bringing Health through Food to as Many people as Possible

Danone is a global leader in food and beverages, focusing on Essential Dairy and Plant-based products, Waters, and Specialized Nutrition. Our mission is to bring health through food to as many people as possible by creating nutritious products, raising awareness about healthy eating and drinking habits, and conducting our business sustainably. Danones dual focus on commercial performance and societal responsibility, combined with an ongoing commitment to innovation and the strengthening of its health-oriented brands, has resulted in strong performance worldwide. With nearly 90,000 employees and products sold in over 120 markets, Danone has generated more than 27 billion in sales annually. More information can be found at www.danone.com.

About Danone India:

India is among the countries in the APAC zone wherein Danone has its presence. Danone operates in India as Nutricia International Pvt. Ltd, focusing on nutrition with a range of products catering to pregnant mothers, infants, young children as well as adults. These products are manufactured in India and sold nationally under recognized brands such as Aptamil, Dexolac, Nusobee, and Protinex. Danone employs over 1,000 individuals across India and generates a turnover exceeding 170 million. The company's head office is in Mumbai, Maharashtra, with a manufacturing facility situated in Lalru, Punjab. Danone India is a Great Place To Work certified organization, which reflects our commitment to creating a workplace where people are empowered to contribute meaningfully, grow professionally, and feel a true sense of belonging.

More information can be found at https://www.danone.in/.

Want to learn more about Careers at Danone India? Visit Danone Careers.

About the Role

We are looking for talent to lead and execute procurement cycles across marketing, media, printing, CSR, and indirect categories, ensuring operational excellence, cost optimization, vendor performance, and compliance with Danone procurement standards.

Responsibilities

• Spearhead sourcing of a portfolio of indirect categories
• Develop category strategies, including market analysis
• Manage the RFQ process (e RFQ and offline)
• Establish and maintain supplier relationships and facilitate periodic business reviews to identify process improvements and cost reduction opportunities
• Establish beneficial working relationships with various internal groups across the organization regional/country offices, legal, finance, and others Business process owners
• Prepare analyses of spend data, category supplier bases, and cost models
• Manage complex projects from conception through implementation

Spend Involved

• INR 350 Crore / 35 M

Indirect Categories

Marketing & Media Procurement: Activities include sourcing, negotiation, retainer discussions, and cost approvals for:

• Marketing services
• Media agencies / retainers
• Web & digital technology vendors

Printing & Creative Production:

• Print jobs
• Artwork development
• Vendor commercial approvals

Events, Meetings & Offsites: Management of spend summaries, vendor coordination, and travel/event logistics for:

• Cycle Meets
• Regional office events
• R&R events

Travel Desk & Mobility Services:

• Travel desk operations
• Supplier classification for travel providers
• SaaS travel booking tools

Office & Facilities Support Services:

• Office location coordination
• Site visits & office options documentation

General Indirect / Administrative Procurement: Proposals, commercial documents, and purchase cycle support across various non-raw material categories

Qualifications

• MBA or PGDM in relevant specialization preferred

Required Skills

• Procurement Operations: Proficient in both direct and indirect procurement, including sourcing, supplier relationship management, and cost reduction strategies
• Vendor Management: Skilled in developing and maintaining relationships with vendors, ensuring quality and timely delivery of materials
• ERP Implementation: Experienced in implementing and managing enterprise resource planning systems, particularly SAP Themis & R3
• Cost & Resource Optimization: Adept at identifying opportunities for cost savings and resource optimization to enhance overall efficiency
• Inventory Management: Competent in managing inventory levels, reducing holding times, and ensuring stock accuracy
• Logistics Coordination: Capable of coordinating logistics for raw materials across multiple sites, ensuring timely availability and minimizing shortages
• Compliance: Knowledgeable in compliance with GST Law, purchasing guidelines, and contract management
• Analytical Skills: Strong analytical abilities to prepare spend data analyses, cost models, and manage complex projects from conception to implementation
• IT Skills: Proficient in MS Office and various enterprise systems
• Cross Functional Stakeholder Management: Coordinate with C&P leadership, Marketing, Finance, Legal & Compliance, Admin, CSR, and regional office teams

Preferred Skills

• Minimum 4-5 years of relevant work experience