Assistant Sourcing Manager-Indirect Spend

Avantor; Maharashtra; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor is seeking a Global Category Expert (Sr Analyst) to lead strategic sourcing for indirect spend with a data-driven approach. The role emphasizes supplier negotiations, RFx processes, contract management, and stakeholder collaboration across global teams.

Ideal candidates bring 8–12 years in S2C, strong ERP and BI tool experience, and the ability to translate analytics into cost-saving category strategies while mentoring suppliers and teams.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree or relevant undergrad with indirect spend experience.
• 8–12 years in indirect spend strategic sourcing (S2C).
• Six Sigma or Lean training preferred but not mandatory.
• Finance literacy: FP&A, accounting, and costing.
• Experience using financial and business systems for decision making.

Responsibilities

• Strategic sourcing across indirect spend; manage supplier negotiations and risk.
• Lead RFx, supplier evaluation, benchmarking and contract analysis.
• Develop category strategies and mentor suppliers.
• Partner with FP&A and finance to drive savings and controllership.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to meet KPIs and optimize processes.
• Maintain contract archives and ensure policy compliance.

Skills

Data analytics

Communication skills

Leadership

LEAN mindset

ERP knowledge

Education

Master’s degree in Materials Management

Bachelor’s degree in science/commerce/engineering/economics

Tools

SAP

MS Office

Tableau

Alteryx

QlikView

HFM

Job description

Global Category Expert (Sr Analyst) are expert practitioners in creating competitive environments and have a strong bias for decision‑making rooted in data and analytics. They routinely influence indirect spend vendor relationships by advising senior leaders on innovative sourcing strategies that create sustainable, long‑term partnerships. They are highly effective communicators, able to articulate the value proposition that procurement can bring to their organizations. The role requires hands‑on experience in supplier negotiations, auctions/advanced negotiation methods, supplier relationship management, data analytics, Power BI, usage of AI/Copilot in sourcing activities (reporting, MS tools, etc.), creating Power BI reports, SAP, category strategy, knowledge of vendor market, willingness to start from scratch, knowledge of indirect and economic megatrends, etc.

Major Job Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing

• The role will be responsible as a seasoned category buyer who can handle supplier negotiations, contract management, supplier mentorships, supplier relationship management, S2C, stakeholder management, risk management & category management.
• Market research for indirect commodities, able to handle global sub‑categories individually.
• Basic understanding of SaaS/on‑prem licensing models.
• Basic literacy on existing software landscape and trends.
• Eagerness to learn more about IT trends in modern corporate environment.
• Responsible for market assessments, pre‑qualification, and RFQ processes.
• Issue inquiries (RFQ), evaluate received quotations and negotiate commercial terms. Select the most appropriate suppliers through objective criteria to meet business needs.
• Achieve systematic and sustainable cost reductions through strengthened spend and category management processes.
• Manage and run renegotiations with relevant suppliers for contract renewals.
• Manage supplier relations, monitor performance, initiate and follow up on supplier development activities and improvements.
• Maintain contract archive system.
• Ensure compliance with company guidelines, purchasing policies and procedures.
• In cooperation with the global category manager identify new areas for improvement, identify cost reductions.
• Evaluate supplier core competencies and competitive positioning using industry cost models and benchmarking analysis.
• Manage fundamentals of sourcing and supplier engagement activities including RFx, spend pattern analysis, contract analysis, bid evaluation, auctions, negotiations, and supplier consolidation.
• Process requests as required – meet and exceed KPIs defined and set parameters.
• Deliver tasks as per service‑level requirements specified by the business unit/center/stakeholder.
• Upskill process knowledge from time to time.
• Able to work in a team – understand role in team, help accomplish team goals and objectives, meet and exceed stakeholder objectives/goals.
• Develop, implement and manage robust market analyses and benchmarking processes; leverage key insights to inform and support the category strategy development process.

Business Partnering

• Partner with leadership teams in exploring & identifying cost‑saving opportunities.
• Identify opportunities for centralized sourcing in place of standalone sourcing and avoid maverick spend.
• Establish strong relationships with internal business stakeholders; build a strong understanding of strategic business direction, requirements and priorities across assigned suppliers and/or spend categories.
• Uphold VWR culture, values at all times.
• Willingness to work in any shift.
• Flexibility for any lateral movement amongst the various business functions.
• Work with business and finance colleagues to identify and drive savings and controllership improvements, focusing on total cost of ownership.
• Provide guidance to internal stakeholders on procurement strategies; maintain procurement ethics in accordance with Avantor’s global policies.
• Act as finance business partner for indirect sourcing operations team, understanding key priorities of business/function and providing insights with forward‑looking analysis on indirect spend. Initiate discussions/reviews with business partners to enable them in taking key business decisions.
• Understand & provide in‑depth analysis of indirect spend analytics at global level by supplier, region, categories, and other types using AFO, SAP & QlikView, etc. Identify & propose productivity opportunities.
• Analyze trends & provide proactive recommendations to leadership team by highlighting potential business risks & opportunities.
• Partner with finance/operations leadership on ad‑hoc projects/reporting as per ongoing business requirements.
• Assess existing KPIs/reports of assigned businesses/functions, identify gaps in current process, propose necessary changes to business partners and play an active role in implementing proactive mechanisms in measuring & driving business results.

Driving Key Processes

• Partner with FP&A team & accounting team in avoiding wrong allocation of costs.
• Actively involve in performance review discussions with finance/operations leadership teams and provide necessary suggestions to the leadership team on ways forward.
• Assist finance leadership in driving key business‑specific /global initiatives.
• If required, map existing processes & implement efficiency improvement measures with new processes.

Operational/Functional Excellence

• Closely work with leadership teams in adopting ABS practices for strategic sourcing.
• Collaborate with other team members, identify & implement process simplifications/improvements. Adopt best/standard practices across teams.
• Prepare necessary process documentation of all deliverables and periodical review of existing documentation and make necessary changes to ensure latest business changes are incorporated.
• Prepare financial analysis for various "what‑if" scenarios and sensitivity analysis in analyzing business impact.

Mentoring

• Coach and mentor new team members to make them successful in their respective roles by assisting them in new transitions, sharing knowledge, etc.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Materials Management or bachelor’s degree in science/commerce/engineering/economics with relevant experience in indirect spend strategic sourcing.
• Minimum 8–12 years of experience in indirect spend strategic sourcing (S2C), preferably in MNCs Captive Finance Shared Services Organizations/Global Centers or in Indian reputed manufacturing companies.
• Prior experience working with pharma companies preferred.
• Six Sigma or Lean training preferred, but not mandatory.
• Working knowledge of finance aspects such as FP&A, accounting, integrated supply chain & costing.
• Experience leveraging financial and business systems to monitor business activities and aid in decision making.

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

• Transformation mindset – open to accept, adopt, absorb change in way of working, structure and content.
• Comfortable working in a matrix environment with multiple stakeholders. Ability to work with executives, managers and stakeholders from various regions/functions.
• Excellent interpersonal, communication, analytical skills; demonstrated leadership abilities and the ability to manage multiple priorities of leadership in a highly dynamic & fast‑paced environment.
• Ability to explain business performance with data.
• Computer proficiency with strong ERP knowledge preferably SAP, MS Office, Tableau, Alteryx, QlikView & HFM.
• Strong affinity with LEAN processes and tools.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Independent, self‑starter, highly motivated.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by people assigned to this job. They are not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills, efforts or working conditions associated with a job.

EEO Statement

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, province or local law.