Procurement Manager

Kelkar Auto Parts; Maharashtra; On-site; INR 1,800,000 - 3,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Kelkar Auto Parts in Maharashtra seeks an experienced Purchasing Lead to manage procurement of hardware, steel sheets, tubes, fasteners, powders/coatings, and raw materials. You will develop suppliers, share forecasts, and release POs to support active programs.

You will negotiate terms, monitor price movements, coordinate with Finance for timely payments, and drive cost reductions while maintaining optimal inventory. A small team will be led and expanded as the company grows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Production/Industrial preferred).
• 10+ years of purchasing experience in engineering or automotive manufacturing.
• Strong knowledge of steel sheets/tubes, fasteners, and surface treatment (powder coating/painting).
• Hands-on experience with ERP/MRP systems; training on in-house customised ERP will be provided.
• Strong negotiation, vendor management and analytical skills.
• GST knowledge and purchasing documentation; import purchasing experience a plus.

Responsibilities

• Manage purchasing for hardware, acoustic foams, powder coat and paint, and raw materials.
• Develop current suppliers and onboard new ones to support growth.
• Share demand forecasts with suppliers and release POs on time.
• Coordinate with Finance for timely supplier payments and terms.
• Negotiate prices, terms and annual contracts; track price movements and cost changes.
• Drive cost reduction through negotiation, alternative sourcing, localisation and value engineering.
• Work with Quality on supplier quality issues and audits.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels across plants.
• Maintain purchasing data in the ERP system and report KPIs.
• Lead and grow a purchasing team of 2.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Production/Industrial preferred)

Tools

ERP/MRP systems

Job description

Role & responsibilities

• Manage purchasing for all bought-out items, including hardware (nuts, bolts, washers, hinges, latches, bosses), acoustic foams, powder coat and paint, and raw materials such as steel sheets and tubes.
• Manage and develop current suppliers, and identify, evaluate and onboard new suppliers to support growth and new customer programs.
• Share demand forecasts with suppliers regularly so they can plan capacity and material in advance.
• Release purchase orders on time based on production requirements, and follow up to ensure on-time, in-full (OTIF) delivery.
• Coordinate with Finance so suppliers are paid on time as per agreed terms.
• Negotiate prices, payment terms and annual contracts. Track steel and commodity price movements and manage price revisions.
• Drive cost reduction through negotiation, alternate sourcing, localisation and value engineering.
• Work with Quality on supplier quality issues, incoming inspection failures, corrective actions and supplier audits.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels across plants, avoiding both shortages and excess stock.
• Maintain all purchasing data (POs, supplier master, pricing, delivery schedules) accurately in the company's customised ERP system.
• Track and report purchasing KPIs, such as supplier OTIF, supplier quality (PPM), cost savings and inventory days.
• Lead, guide and develop a purchasing team of 2, and help grow the team as the company scales.

Preferred candidate profile

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Mechanical/Production/Industrial preferred).
• 10+ years of purchasing experience in engineering or automotive manufacturing, preferably in sheet metal fabrication or a related industry.
• Strong knowledge of steel sheets/tubes, fasteners, and surface treatment (powder coating/painting).
• Hands-on experience with ERP/MRP systems. Training on our in-house customised ERP will be provided.
• Strong negotiation, vendor management and analytical skills.
• Experience with an established supplier base in the Pune/Maharashtra region is a strong plus.
• Knowledge of GST and purchasing documentation. Import purchasing experience is a plus.