Head - Strategic Sourcing

Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands Limited; Karnataka; On-site; INR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Job summary

Aditya Birla Lifestyle Brands Limited is seeking a fabrics sourcing leader to oversee procurement, leading RFQ/RFP/e-bidding, and drive cost-effective, high-quality fabric and trims sourcing across seasonal needs.

The role focuses on strategy, supplier relationship management, global sourcing opportunities, and development of team capabilities to sustain OTIF delivery and mutual growth.

Responsibilities

• KRA1 Price Discovery thru RFQ / RFP / E bidding (Prepare category profile, source with mills, final price agreements, ensure POs match final rates)
• KRA2 Sampling Expenses (Estimate season's sampling spend, ensure approvals)
• KRA3 Sourcing Strategy (Define season's sourcing considering raw materials, vendor mix, risk, cost advantages, new products)
• KRA4 International Sourcing (Identify global opportunities, induct new suppliers, educate on quality standards, final price agreements)
• KRA5 Vendor Relationship Management (Maintain supplier relationships, monitor discrepancies, resolve payments and educate on quality)
• KRA6 Partner Innovation Summits (Conduct twice yearly, invite suppliers, coordinate with stakeholders)
• KRA7 People Development & Leadership (Provide direction, align with sourcing strategy, engage with cross-functional teams)

Job description

Job Purpose

• To oversee the procurement process that continuously improves and re-evaluates the purchasing activities of the company by leading the sourcing operations of raw materials - fabric and trims, in line with the business requirement ensuring high quality and OTIF.
• Assess the company's current spend, develop new sourcing strategy, identify right supply mix, coordinate and monitor the purchasing activities right from raw material sourcing to delivery.
• Price Discovery Process thru RFQ / RFP/ E bidding & one to one price Negotiation. Ensure that costs are in accordance with the Price Agreements closed by Strategic sourcing.

Job Context & Major Challenges

MFL operates through various channels (Wholesale, Retail, Depletion and Exports). This position has to lead, manage and drive the Fabrics Sourcing Operations effectively and efficiently in line with business requirements (Seasonal / Annual) with Sourcing strategy and ensuring Quality & Cost Effective procurement in line with product and category requirements.

Key Challenges

• To ensure right vendor mix is recommended for higher OTIF, right costs and right quality.
• Seasonal Sourcing Strategy in line with business requirements.
• Budgeting, Monitoring & Control of Sourcing to ensure right Product Costs & resultant GP
• Market intelligence on raw material price movements / competition prices etc.
• New Vendor identification, evaluation, induction and development.
• Continuous Vendor Base Consolidation & Expansion Optimization
• Seasonal directions on sourcing with appropriate region mix to get cost advatange in light of ever rising RM costs.
• Risk Mitigation.
• Continuous Improvement in sourcing and adopting industry best practices.
• Establish Strong Relationships with Supplier partners for mutual growth.
• People Development & High Performance Management in fabric sourcing

Key Result Areas

KRA (Accountabilities) (Max 1325 Characters)

Supporting Actions (Max 1325 Characters)

KRA1 Price Discovery thru RFQ / RFP / E bidding

1. Prepare the category profile for the current spend across brands and categories for anlaysis.

• Align with Brands new requirements and create the sourcing strategy for the season.
• Conduct RFQ / RFP process with all the key mills for season.
• Arrive at Final price agreements for the season and communicate to all stake holders.
• Validate that the POs are raised as per final code level rates, in accordance with the finalized contracts.

KRA2 Sampling Expenses

1. Arrive at the estimated overall season's sampling expenses based on the brands inputs

• Ensure that Sample spend is approved and in line with the approved value.

KRA3 Sourcing Strategy

1. Define the Seasons Sourcing strategy considering:

• Current raw material prices - cotton, yarn, polyester etc.,
• Right Vendor Mix management
• Risk mitigation
• Avenues of Cost advantages.
• New Product innovations
• New vendor inductions

KRA4 International Sourcing

1. Identify new opportunities for global sourcing (eg. Vietnam / combodia / Turkey)

• Induction of new suppliers after evaluation
• Finalisze products to be sourced.
• Educate the vendors wrt MFL quality standards
• New Price Agreements.

KRA5 Vendor Relationship Management

1. Maintain an effective business relationship with suppliers to ensure that business objectives are met

• Monitor and ensure outstanding discrepancies and overview resolving the vendor payments on a routine basis.
• Communicate Mission Happiness scores and VPQI to ensure that the suppliers are educated to deliver the quality products.

KRA6 Partner Innovation Summits

1. Conduct PIS twice in a year.

• Invite Supplier partners in India and across globe for PIS and esnure that right atmosphere is provided for their Product presentation.
• Communicate to all the stake holders - brand, design, product, sourcing etc and ensure for active participation.

KRA7 People Development & Leadership

1. Ensure planned direction to team members provided to ensure strategy is implemented with continuous monitoring.

• Engage with Brand, Design, Product teams to align with the sourcing strategy and international sourcing recommendations.
• Engage with other functions - factory stores, finance /commercials, vendors, sourcing teams etc in controlling GRIR and vendor reconciliations.
• Provide feedback and train people on their functional competencies