Senior Procurement Manager

Krea University; Chennai District; On-site; INR 3,500,000 - 5,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Krea University invites applications for a Senior Manager - Procurement to lead end-to-end procurement for the university, spanning IT assets, office supplies, lab equipment, furniture and academic needs. You will source, negotiate, process POs, and ensure timely delivery of quality products at competitive prices.

You will build vendor relationships, conduct market research, manage quotations, ensure GST and TDS compliance, coordinate with Finance, and drive digitization of procurement processes

Qualifications

• Master's degree in a relevant field; procurement/SCM qualification preferred.
• 8+ years in procurement, sourcing and vendor management.
• Experience handling multiple procurement categories in large organizations.

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end procurement lifecycle from requirement identification to PO, delivery and closure.
• Procure IT assets, software, lab equipment, office supplies, furniture and other academic/operational needs.
• Identify, evaluate and onboard new vendors via market research and quality/cost assessment.
• Evaluate quotations, negotiate terms and ensure cost-effective procurement solutions.
• Develop vendor relationships for competitive pricing, quality and timely delivery.
• Coordinate with internal departments to meet procurement requirements.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with policies, approvals and audits.
• Coordinate with Finance for invoice verification, GST, TDS, and other documentation.
• Maintain procurement records: vendors, quotations, POs, contracts, invoices.
• Monitor vendor performance and resolve quality, delivery or pricing issues.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements and cost savings.
• Lead digitization of procurement workflows using ERP/automation tools.

Skills

Vendor management

Negotiation

Procurement

Sourcing

ERP systems

Education

Master's degree in a relevant discipline

Procurement/Supply Chain Management qualification preferred

Tools

ERP systems

Job description

Reporting To:

Chief of People and Operations

Job Description:

The Senior Manager - Procurement will be responsible for managing end-to-end procurement activities for the university. The role will involve sourcing, vendor identification, negotiation, purchase management, and ensuring timely procurement of quality products and services at competitive prices. The candidate will handle procurement requirements across various categories including IT assets, office supplies, infrastructure, academic requirements, and other operational needs of the university.

Responsibilities and Duties:

• Manage the complete procurement lifecycle from requirement identification to purchase order processing, delivery, and closure.
• Manage procurement of IT assets, software, lab equipment, office supplies, furniture, stationery, and other academic and operational requirements of the university.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new vendors by conducting market research and assessing quality, cost, reliability, and service capabilities.
• Evaluate quotations from multiple vendors, conduct comparative analysis, negotiate commercial terms, and ensure cost-effective procurement solutions.
• Develop and maintain strong vendor relationships to ensure competitive pricing, quality standards, timely delivery, and effective service support.
• Coordinate with internal departments to understand procurement requirements and ensure timely fulfilment.
• Ensure procurement activities comply with university policies, approval processes, and audit requirements.
• Coordinate with Finance and Accounts teams for invoice verification, vendor payments, GST compliance, TDS deductions, and other procurement-related financial documentation.
• Maintain procurement records including vendor database, quotations, purchase orders, contracts, invoices, and related documentation.
• Monitor vendor performance and resolve issues related to quality, delivery, pricing, and service.
• Identify opportunities for process improvements, standardization, and cost savings within the procurement function.
• Standardize and streamline procurement processes by implementing digital procurement solutions, automation tools, or ERP systems to reduce manual intervention and improve efficiency.
• Lead initiatives to digitize procurement workflows, including vendor management, purchase requests, approvals, and tracking through suitable technology platforms.
• Prepare procurement reports, MIS, spend analysis, and support cost optimization initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Master's degree in any relevant discipline; additional qualification in Procurement/Supply Chain Management will be preferred.
• 8+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, and vendor management.
• Experience handling multiple procurement categories in a large organization, university, corporate setup, or similar environment.
• Strong negotiation, vendor management, and analytical skills.
• Good understanding of procurement processes and market practices.

Note: Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.