Manager - Direct Sourcing

KOHLER India; Maharashtra; On-site; INR 6,000,000 - 9,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Kohler India Technical Center is seeking a seasoned Indirect Sourcing Manager to lead global procurement initiatives across corporate categories. You will drive end‑to‑end sourcing for NPD, build a high‑performing team, and shape sourcing contracts to enable speed-to-market and risk mitigation.

Strong leadership, deep direct procurement expertise, and experience with GCC/GIC/Central Procurement hubs are essential for this role based in Maharashtra, India.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related field with relevant supply chain exposure.
• Post‑graduate qualification in Supply Chain / Operations / Business is preferred.
• 12+ years direct sourcing experience in global environments, including NPDs and GCC/GIC/Central Procurement hubs.

Responsibilities

• Lead and develop a high‑performing global sourcing team with capability building and career development.
• Provide strategic directions on sourcing processes, contracts, governance, and operational excellence.
• Lead end‑to‑end sourcing for NPD across multiple categories and geographies; drive design‑to‑cost and supply continuity.
• Define and execute NPD‑focused contracting strategies including tooling contracts and SLAs.
• Deliver cost and value targets through early sourcing interventions and value creation initiatives.
• Engage stakeholders across Global Sourcing, Project Management and Engineering; present milestones and insights to leadership.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Contracting

Supplier governance

Analytics

eSourcing tools

SAP

JAGGAER

Ariba

Data-driven procurement

Communication

Multicultural team management

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Engineering preferred)

Post‑graduate qualification in Supply Chain / Operations / Business (preferred)

Tools

SAP

JAGGAER

Ariba

Job description

About the Position

At Kohler India Technical Center, we are a dedicated global capability center providing comprehensive technical and non-technical services for all Kohler Co. businesses and product lines worldwide.

We are seeking a dynamic, seasoned Indirect Sourcing Manager to lead global procurement initiatives across corporate categories. The ideal candidate will bring strong people leadership experience, deep domain expertise in direct procurement, categories / commodities and a proven track record of managing centralized or global sourcing operations (GCC/GIC/Capability Centers).

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & People Management

• Lead and develop a high‑performing sourcing team; ensure capability building, career development, and succession planning.
• Provide strategic directions on sourcing processes, contracts, governance, and operational excellence.
• Build a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the team.

Strategic Sourcing & New Product Development

• Lead end‑to‑end sourcing activities for New Product Development (NPD) across multiple categories and commodities, from concept to launch.
• Drive early sourcing engagement to support design‑to‑cost, supplier selection, and supply continuity for NPD programs across identified geographies.
• Develop and execute NPD‑aligned category strategies to enable innovation, cost competitiveness, risk mitigation, and scalability aligned with global business objectives

Contracting & Supplier Management

• Define and execute NPD‑focused contracting strategies, including design and development agreements, tooling contracts, and SLAs supporting new product launches.
• Ensure contracts enable speed‑to‑market, IP protection, commercial flexibility, and compliance with procurement and engineering governance.
• Build and nurture strategic supplier partnerships to support innovation, technical capability development, and long‑term NPD roadmap.

Savings & Value Creation Projects

• Deliver cost and value targets for NPD programs through design‑to‑cost, should‑costing, and early sourcing interventions.
• Identify and execute value creation initiatives such as supplier co‑development, global sourcing leverage, localization, and platform strategies.
• Utilize competitive bidding, RFQs, and eSourcing events to optimize cost, lead time, and supplier capability during NPD phases, Gate Exits.

Stakeholder Management & Communication

• Engage Global Sourcing, Project Management and Engineering leadership and stakeholders to enable aligned decision‑making.
• Present sourcing strategies, milestones status, gate exit updates and analytical insights to the executive leadership, whenever required.
• Develop, maintain, and enhance relations with the stakeholders.
• Understand business requirements, ensure alignment with category strategy and exhibit superior customer service skills.
• Forecast growth opportunities, prepare roadmaps, and build capabilities for future readiness

Capability Building & Continuous Improvement

• Develop and enhance sourcing capabilities for the global teams.
• Leverage analytics and automation to improve sourcing efficiency.

Required Qualifications & Skills

Education

• Bachelor’s degree (Engineering preferred).
• Post‑graduate qualification in Supply Chain / Operations / Business (preferred).

Experience

• 6+ years of People Management experience.
• Strong experience of 12+ years in Direct Sourcing (preferably NPDs) in global environments.
• Experience managing sourcing for GCC/GIC or Central Procurement Hubs.

Technical & Functional Competencies

• Expertise in strategic sourcing, contracting, and supplier governance.
• Knowledge of analytics, eSourcing tools, SAP/JAGGAER/Ariba.
• Ability to create data‑driven procurement strategies.

Behavioral & Leadership Competencies

• Excellent communication & presentation skills.
• Strong business acumen and problem‑solving mindset.
• Ability to manage multicultural teams globally.