Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Development Manager

Job Title

Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Development Lead- Furniture Category

Categories

Finished Furniture & Raw material (Sofas, Recliners, Upholstery); Upholstery Materials (Fabric, Leatherite)

Department

Procurement / Supply Chain Management

Reports To

Head of Sourcing

Location

Bengaluru (Head Office)

Experience

10 – 12 years

ROLE PURPOSE The Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Development Lead is a pivotal, techno-commercial role responsible for establishing and executing best-in-class sourcing strategies for high-value Finished Furniture (sofas, recliners and upholstery) and core Upholstery Materials (fabric and leatherite).

The role will drive significant cost reduction, mitigate global supply chain risk, and ensure a continuous, high-quality and innovative supply base. It will identify, qualify and develop an agile, long-term ecosystem of domestic and international vendors, aligned with the company's Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and product innovation goals, with a focus on regional sourcing from high-quality suppliers that offer backward integration and product development as core competencies.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

1. Global Sourcing Strategy & Cost Leadership

• International sourcing: Develop and execute comprehensive sourcing strategies for finished goods and core materials, with emphasis on international sourcing to optimise TCO and build a sustainable competitive advantage.

• Techno-commercial expertise: Apply a deep understanding of engineering processes, raw material commodities, and furniture and upholstery manufacturing to inform sourcing decisions.

• Source-to-Contract: Lead the end-to-end lifecycle, including preparation and management of RFIs, RFQs and RFPs, and the analysis and presentation of supplier proposals.

• Negotiation: Negotiate complex contracts, pricing structures, payment terms and Service Level Agreements (SLAs) to secure superior commercial terms without compromising quality or service.

• Performance reporting: Track,



analyse and report on key procurement KPIs to ensure consistent achievement of cost-savings targets.

2. Strategic Vendor Development & Partnership Management

• Supply base expansion: Identify, qualify and onboard high-potential domestic and global vendors, particularly in emerging markets or those offering material and process innovation, to future-proof the approved supply base.

• Supplier Relationship Management (SRM): Implement and manage a robust SRM programme for strategic and critical vendors, fostering collaborative, transparent and long-term partnerships.

• Continuous improvement: Drive improvement initiatives across the supply base (quality, cost, efficiency and innovation) through structured vendor development plans and performance monitoring.

• Governance & audits: Conduct regular supplier performance reviews and in office audits against contractual obligations, quality standards and committed delivery schedules.

3. Cross-Functional Integration & Product Development

• Primary liaison: Act as the strategic link between the supply base and internal stakeholders, including New Product Development (NPD), Product Management, Operations and Quality, ensuring alignment on specifications, design changes and capacity requirements.

• NPI leadership: Lead cross-functional teams on the sourcing and vendor-qualification components of New Product Introduction (NPI) projects, meeting speed-to-market and cost targets.

• Budgeting & compliance: Contribute to annual business planning and budgeting for assigned categories, ensuring all sourcing activity adheres to company policy, legal requirements and ethical standards.

4. Risk Management & Compliance

• Risk mitigation: Develop and execute supply chain risk strategies, including dual-sourcing,



optimised safety stock and contingency plans against geopolitical and economic volatility.

• Due diligence: Proactively manage risks related to supplier capacity, financial stability and regional geopolitical factors.

• Contract governance: Ensure all vendor contracts comply with internal governance frameworks and applicable regulatory requirements.

QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Textile / Materials Engineering, or a related technical field.

Experience

• 10 to 12 years of progressive, hands-on experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, category management or vendor development.

• Proven experience in the Furniture, Upholstery /Textile industry (highly preferred).

• Extensive experience in domestic and international sourcing of finished furniture products.

• Strong expertise in sourcing raw materials and components for sofas and recliners, including wood, mechanisms, fabrics, hardware and allied materials.

• Track record of managing a sourcing portfolio of ₹150 Cr+.

• Hands-on experience in the premium home furniture segment.

• Demonstrated success in leading competitive sourcing events (RFP / RFQ) and executing complex, high-value contract negotiations.

• Proven success in identifying, qualifying and elevating the performance of new or existing international vendors.

SKILLS & COMPETENCIES

• Negotiation & contracting: Exceptional negotiation skills with a sound understanding of contract law and SLA creation.

• Financial acumen: Strong analytical skills, including spend analysis, financial modelling and precise TCO calculation.

• Technology: Proficiency with ERP / MRP systems (e.g., SAP); experience with e-Sourcing or SRM tools.

• Communication: Outstanding verbal and written communication, with the ability to influence stakeholders at all organisational levels.

• Execution: Ability to manage multiple complex, time-sensitive projects simultaneously while maintaining high standards in a fast-paced environment.

📌 Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Development Manager (Bengaluru)
🏢 Duroflex Group
📍 Bengaluru