Category Procurement Buyer (Factory Level)

Role Summary

The Category Procurement Buyer at factory level is responsible for executing category strategies locally, managing the supplier panel for assigned commodities, and ensuring cost, quality, and supply performance for the plant.

Key Responsibilities

1. Category Strategy Execution

• Execute commodity and category strategies at site level in coordination with the Category Manager.
• Deploy supplier panel decisions, Long-Term Agreements (LTAs), and sourcing rules.
• Ensure alignment between plant requirements and the overall category roadmap.

2. Cost & Productivity Management

• Deliver category cost reduction targets through productivity initiatives, Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE), and resourcing activities.
• Support should-cost analysis, indexing, and cost breakdown exercises.
• Identify and implement additional cost optimization levers, including:
  • Dual sourcing
  • Best Cost Country (BCC) sourcing
  • Demand consolidation

3. Supplier Panel Management

• Manage the assigned supplier portfolio within the category.
• Monitor and improve supplier performance across Quality, Cost, and Delivery (QCD) metrics.
• Implement supplier development and continuous improvement plans.

4. Sourcing & Negotiation

• Lead or support RFQs, supplier evaluations, and sourcing decisions.
• Conduct price negotiations and manage contractual terms and conditions with assigned suppliers.
• Ensure supplier competitiveness against market benchmarks and business targets.

5. Risk Management & Supply Resilience

• Identify and mitigate supplier-related risks, including:
  • Capacity constraints
  • Single-source dependency
  • Financial exposure
• Drive dual-sourcing strategies and supplier diversification.
• Support business continuity plans for critical components and materials.

6. Plant Operations Support

• Partner with the Site Supply Chain Procurement Specialist to resolve supply-related issues.
• Support escalation management and critical supplier situations.
• Ensure supplier commitments are aligned with plant production requirements and schedules.

7. Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with:

• Engineering / R&D

  • Product specifications
  • VA/VE initiatives
  • New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Quality / SQ&D

  • Supplier audits
  • Claims management
  • Supplier development activities

• Supply Chain / Planning

  • Capacity planning
  • Lead-time management

Ensure sourcing decisions meet both technical and operational requirements.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• Material productivity and cost savings.
• Supplier On-Time Delivery (OTD) performance.
• Supplier Quality Performance (PPM).
• Dual sourcing implementation and risk exposure reduction.
• Contract coverage and compliance.
• Lead-time and payment-term improvements.

Required Skills

• Strong negotiation and strategic sourcing capabilities.
• Solid understanding of category markets, suppliers, cost drivers, and industry trends.
• Strong analytical skills, including cost breakdown analysis and benchmarking.
• Ability to influence and align cross-functional stakeholders.
• Balanced strategic and operational mindset.

Qualifications & Experience

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related field.

Professional Experience

• Typically 5–8 years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or category management.
• Experience within manufacturing or industrial environments.

Technical Knowledge

• Category sourcing and procurement processes.
• RFQ management and supplier selection methodologies.
• Contract negotiation and management.
• Supplier performance and relationship management.