Assistant Manager - Key Accounts

Mandate 3 - Employees will work full time from their office base location in Bangalore

The Category Manager (Buy Side) will be responsible for managing procurement strategies, supplier relationships, and category performance

to ensure cost efficiency, quality, and timely availability of products. The role involves market analysis, vendor negotiations, inventory planning,

and aligning purchasing practices with organizational goals.

Key Responsibilities (KRA):

- Category Strategy Development:

o Develop and implement procurement strategies for assigned FMCG categories.

o Identify opportunities to optimize sourcing and reduce costs while maintaining quality standards.

o Conduct market analysis to track trends, pricing, and competitor strategies.

-Supplier Management:

o Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure reliable & timely supply.

o Negotiate contracts, terms, and pricing agreements.

o Evaluate supplier performance based on key metrics such as delivery timelines, quality, and cost-effectiveness.

-Inventory and Demand Planning:

o Work closely with demand and sales teams to forecast inventory needs.

o Monitor stock levels to prevent overstocking or shortages.

o Implement best practices to optimize inventory turnover and reduce holding costs.

-Cost Optimization:

o Identify cost-saving opportunities through volume consolidation, alternative sourcing, or innovative procurement

methods.

o Conduct regular spend analysis to track and control category budgets.

-Cross-functional Collaboration:

o Partner with sales, marketing, and operations teams to align category procurement with overall business

objectives.

o Support new product development initiatives by ensuring timely sourcing of ingredients and materials.

-Data Analysis and Reporting:

o Use data analytics tools to assess category performance and identify areas for improvement.

o Prepare and present reports on purchasing performance, market trends, and savings initiatives.

Qualifications & Experience:

-Educational Background:

o Bachelors degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field.

o MBA or equivalent in Procurement, Operations, or Supply Chain (preferred).

-Work Experience:

o 5-8 years of experience in category management, procurement, or supply chain in the FMCG industry.

o Proven track record of managing suppliers and achieving cost savings.

o Experience in handling multi-category procurement in FMCG.

-Skills and Competencies:

o Strong negotiation and relationship management skills.

o Proficiency in data analytics tools.

o Ability & interests to thrive in a 0-1-10 business journey.

o In-depth knowledge of FMCG market dynamics, sourcing strategies, and supply chain principles.

o Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.

o Analytical mindset with the ability to interpret data and make data-driven decisions.