Assistant Manager- Procurement

SKILLS & RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Sourcing & Vendor Management

• Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing processes including RFQ, RFP, and tender management for network infrastructure, IT, and operational categories.

• Build and manage a high-performing vendor ecosystem; conduct regular supplier performance reviews and scorecards.

• Identify, qualify, and onboard new suppliers to reduce single-source dependency and mitigate supply chain risk.

Negotiation & Contract Management

• Lead vendor negotiations to secure best-in-class pricing, payment terms, and service-level agreements (SLAs).

• Draft, review, and manage procurement contracts in compliance with internal policies and regulatory requirements.

• Proactively monitor contract renewals, enforce penalty clauses, and drive continuous cost reduction.

Spend Analytics & Cost Optimization

• Develop and maintain spend dashboards and analytics reports to track category spend, savings, and compliance.

• Automate procurement reporting using Excel, Google Sheets, or BI tools; identify and action cost reduction opportunities.

• Conduct total cost of ownership (TCO) and make-vs-buy analyses to support capital expenditure decisions.

Procure-to-Pay (P2P) Process Management

• Oversee the full P2P cycle – from purchase requisition and PO issuance to goods receipt and invoice reconciliation.

• Ensure adherence to procurement SOPs and internal controls; drive process improvements to reduce cycle times.

• Collaborate cross-functionally with Finance, Operations, and Technical teams to align procurement with business objectives.

Market Intelligence & Category Management

• Monitor market trends, commodity pricing, and supply chain disruptions relevant to the telecom and ISP sector.

• Develop category strategies for key spend areas such as fibre, network equipment, CAPEX hardware, and managed services.

• Provide senior management with data-driven procurement insights and cost-benefit analyses to support strategic decisions.

QUALIFICATIONS & REQUIREMENTS

Education & Certification

• Master of Business Administration (MBA) or degree in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, or a related field (required).

• Professional certifications such as CIPS, CSCP, CPSM, or CPP are strongly preferred.

• Certifications in data analytics or business intelligence are an added advantage.

Experience

• 5–7 years of progressive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management.

• Prior experience in telecommunications, technology, or infrastructure sectors strongly preferred.

• Demonstrated track record of delivering measurable cost savings and vendor performance improvements.

• Hands-on experience building procurement dashboards, automating spend reports, and performing data-driven analyses.

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Excel and/or Google Sheets (pivot tables, VLOOKUP, scenario modelling).

• Experience with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or similar) and procurement platforms.

• Familiarity with API-based data integration or automation tools is a plus.

• Competency in BI tools such as Power BI or Tableau for spend visualization.

Core Competencies

• Strong commercial acumen with the ability to negotiate favourable terms and influence senior stakeholders without direct authority. Negotiation & Influencing:

• Ability to synthesize complex spend datasets into clear, executive-ready narratives that drive decisions. Analytical Excellence:

• Cross-functional collaboration skills; proven ability to align procurement strategy with operational and financial goals. Stakeholder Management:

• Exceptional written and verbal communication; ability to present complex findings to board-level audiences. Communication:

• Experience managing multiple sourcing initiatives simultaneously within defined timelines and budgets. Project Management: