Role Overview

Direct Procurement to own and drive global category strategies for API

This role is accountable for end‑to‑end category ownership, including demand consolidation, supplier strategy, cost optimization, risk management, and supplier performance. The Category Manager will work closely with Manufacturing, Planning, Quality, Finance, and R&D; to ensure uninterrupted supply, competitive cost structures, and alignment with long‑term business objectives.

Key Responsibilities

- Category Strategy & Ownership
- Develop, implement, and continuously refine global category strategies for API
- Perform market intelligence, supply–demand analysis, and risk assessment
- Define short‑, medium‑, and long‑term roadmaps aligned with organizational goals
- Drive standardization, specification alignment, and demand aggregation across regions
- Strategic Sourcing & Cost Leadership
- Lead end‑to‑end strategic sourcing initiatives, including RFx execution, negotiations, and contracting
- Support cost‑reduction and value‑creation programs, including should‑costing, price benchmarking, and total cost of ownership (TCO) optimization.
- Track and deliver cost savings, ensuring transparency and alignment with finance validation processes.
- Supplier Relationship & Performance Management
- Own the supplier portfolio for assigned categories, including strategic, core, and emerging suppliers.
- Establish and manage supplier performance frameworks covering cost, delivery, quality, and service
- Drive long‑term strategic partnerships, joint improvement programs, and development initiatives.
- Ensure supplier compliance with quality, regulatory, ESG, and sustainability standards.




- Cross‑Functional Stakeholder Leadership
- Act as the single point of accountability for category‑related matters across global stakeholders.
- Proactively align stakeholders on category priorities, risks, and decisions.
- Supply Assurance & Risk Management
- Identify and mitigate single‑source, geopolitical, regulatory, and capacity risks within the category
- Develop and execute dual‑sourcing and contingency strategies to ensure uninterrupted supply
- Support business continuity planning across regions.
- Governance, Reporting & Analytics
- Own category‑level dashboards/KPIs, covering savings, supplier performance, risk, and service levels.
- Provide regular updates and executive‑ready presentations on category and supplier health
- Leverage analytics tools such as Power BI to enable data‑driven decisions and transparency.

Experience

- 08 -12 years of progressive experience in Direct Procurement, Category Management, or Strategic Sourcing, preferably within pharmaceutical, biologics, or biotech manufacturing.
- Proven ownership of category strategies, sourcing waves, and supplier negotiations.

Key Skills & Competencies
- Strong expertise in category management frameworks, strategic sourcing, and contract negotiation.
- Ability to translate business demand into robust category strategies and execution plans.
- Strong stakeholder management skills, with experience influencing senior leadership and cross‑functional teams.
- Analytical mindset with experience in cost modeling, savings tracking, and performance dashboards.
- Experience driving supplier sustainability, ESG, and diversity initiatives.
- Ability to work in a matrixed, global, and regulated setting.

📌 Strategic Sourcing Lead - Global Procurement (Bengaluru)
🏢 Biocon
📍 Bengaluru