Deputy Manager – Sourcing

KOHLER India; Pune District; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,200,000; Full time

Job summary

Kohler India is seeking a Senior Executive – Sourcing to lead strategic category management, NPD procurement, and supplier development globally. You will optimize costs, negotiate favorable terms, and collaborate with cross-functional teams to drive value across the supply chain.

Join Kohler India's Global Direct Purchasing function to shape sourcing strategy, manage supplier relationships, and deliver steel-on-schedule procurement outcomes in a dynamic market.

Qualifications

• Must have excellent English communication.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams in procurement.
• Proven vendor development and negotiation skills.
• Familiarity with global sourcing and NPD procurement programs.
• Knowledge of cost reduction through value engineering.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute category strategies for global sourcing.
• Negotiate terms, pricing, and SLAs with suppliers.
• Lead NPD procurement programs and vendor onboarding.
• Monitor spend, cost reduction, and supplier performance.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams across geographies.
• Conduct supplier risk assessments and audits.

Skills

English communication

Team leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Vendor development

Negotiation

Zero-based costing

Tools

SAP MM

Job description

At Kohler, our mission is to help people live gracious, healthy, and sustainable lives. We believe that empowering our associates is essential to making this vision a reality. That’s why we invest in personal and professional growth, encourage collaboration across teams and functions, and offer a comprehensive wellness package that supports the well‑being of every team member.

Kohler is an equal opportunity employer. Along with competitive compensation and benefits, we offer something more enduring—a legacy built on bold innovation, creative excellence, and a deep commitment to our people and communities. Learn more about our culture and career opportunities at www.kohler.co.in/careers.

Our approach to hiring reflects our commitment to Global Inclusion. We recruit, hire, and promote qualified individuals in all roles without regard to race, religion, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, or disability. If you are an individual with a disability and require reasonable accommodation during the recruitment process, please let your recruiter know so we can support you appropriately.

Senior Executive – Sourcing

Job Description :

• Category Management, New Product Development (NPD)
• Deliver the global sourcing services in an excellent manner.
• Developing, managing, and executing the category strategy managing policies, agreements, contracts, source catalogs and special NPD procurement programs.
• Drive tail spend management initiatives to optimize procurement processes and reduce costs.
• Recognizing the potential for cost reduction, quality improvements, as well as responsibility for soundness of business proposal and risk assessment.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers, while considering production demand and supplier conditions, fostering collaboration and driving mutual value.
• Negotiate favorable terms, including pricing, payment terms, and service level agreements, to optimize vendor partnerships.
• Conduct regular vendor performance reviews, addressing issues and identifying opportunities for improvement.
• Collaborate with vendors to identify cost‑saving opportunities, streamline processes, and drive innovation.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams to execute category plans and initiatives.
• Monitor and analyze category performance, spend trends, and competitive landscape to make data‑driven decisions.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives to enhance category performance and customer satisfaction.
• Stay abreast of industry developments, market trends, and competitor activities to inform category strategies.
• Work under Global Direct Purchasing function to develop / source - BOM / RM parts, Lead Sourcing, Alternate Sourcing & Vendor Development activities.
• Lead development of New Products and Suppliers for the assigned categories / commodities and own the NPD process right from RFP / RFQ stage to Product Launch / SOP by following each GATE Review of Sourcing & VAVE/APQP/PPAP processes.
• Costing Expertise.
• Preparing and running ZBC, Should Cost model and understand key cost drivers for long-term, sustainable cost reduction.
• Cost Management.
• Costing & Negotiations with the suppliers to finalize techno-commercial terms and conditions.
• Identify cost savings opportunities/projects and implementation of cost reduction ideas.
• Technical Process Expertise/ Process Improvement.
• Develop required tooling capabilities with minimal supply and technical risks.
• Develop and support the sourcing process by pro‑actively identifying and assessing potential / series suppliers (Global / Domestic), participating in an internal and external technical review with suppliers and engineering teams.
• Receiving the techno-commercial offer, preparation & submission of Quote synthesis to the Price Panel / Stakeholders for Vendor Onboarding, Release of LOI / Nomination letter to Suppliers.
• Preparation of Purchase Orders in SAP, PO's amendments for legacy Parts & Tooling cost estimation.
• Sourcing and VD.
• Own Qualification and Verifications testing at the supplier end and ensure part approvals through Quality teams.
• Co‑ordination with Suppliers forPPAPrun planning & submission ofPPAPdocument & availability of Parts as per the build plan.
• Supplier capability & capacity assessment with an ability to select the right supplier at the right cost & quality.
• Off‑loading of machine, Capacity planning and tool duplication.
• Raising of Price revision request as & when required.
• Participate in cross functional Risk Assessment meetings. Coordinate further for aligning on the designs and manufacturing feasibilities.
• Teaming up with Engineering, SQE, Suppliers, and Customers to harmonize discrepancies in product specifications and evaluate cost reduction or quality improvement opportunities.
• Monitor and evaluate the impact of costing and value engineering activities on product profitability and customer satisfaction.
• Understand supplier’s risks (Financial, technical, delivery etc.) and promptly work on mitigation plans to lower/eliminate the risks.
• Conduct various supplier related audits on potential, new and current suppliers to meet company requirements by utilizing Supplier Capability Assessments, Manufacturing Capability Audits, Control Plan Audits, etc., and take necessary actions as required.
• Relationship Management.
• Act as Kohler’s ambassador and ensure bridging the technical gaps between supplier and internal stakeholders.
• Report the results and recommendations to the senior management and stakeholders.
• Ensure On‑time material deliveries by close coordination between Production Control, 3rd party Logistic team & Customer.
• Follow and Enforce company’s Global Procurement Policy and procedures.
• Understand and abide Kohler’s Global Procurement Policy.
• Enforce this across the business and stakeholders for Purchasing or related activities.
• Standard Operating Process (SOP) Setup.
• Constantly search and seek out improvement in Purchasing processes and practices that eliminates non‑value‑added activity and incorporates relevant best practices.
• Work effectively with all the concerned and functions.
• Develop, Maintain, and enhance relations with the stakeholders. Understand all stakeholder/internal customer requirements.
• Forecast growth opportunities, prepare roadmaps, and build capabilities for future readiness.
• Be actively involved in global Purchasing Support enhancement projects.

Skills Sets:

• Very strong in English Communication.
• Team Leader, Team Management, Familiar to Global CFT working culture.
• Solid organizational and project management skills and demonstrated effectiveness to lead and collaborate with cross‑functional/Company teams.
• Strong in presentation skills, MS office and SAP MM Module.

Mandatory Skills :

Direct Purchasing, global Sourcing, Category Management, New product development, Vendor Development, Negotiation, Zero Based Costing, Standardization