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
