Procurement Manager-Procurement (Ready-to-Eat / Food Plant)

Role & responsibilities

Job Title:

Job Summary:

We are seeking a dynamic and experienced Assistant Manager / Manager – Procurement to lead and manage procurement operations for our Ready-to-Eat (RTE) food division. The ideal candidate will be responsible for sourcing, vendor development, contract negotiation, and ensuring timely availability of raw materials and packaging components while maintaining quality, cost, and compliance standards.

Key Responsibilities:

• Strategic Sourcing:

  Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers for raw materials, packaging, ingredients, and other direct/indirect materials specific to Ready-to-Eat products.

• Vendor Management:

  Build strong relationships with suppliers and ensure consistent quality, competitive pricing, and timely delivery.

• Cost Optimization:

  Drive cost-saving initiatives through negotiations, alternate sourcing, and strategic contracts.

• Inventory Control:

  Work closely with production and planning teams to maintain optimal inventory levels without overstocking or shortages.

• Compliance & Quality:

  Ensure procurement aligns with FSSAI, HACCP, ISO standards and internal quality protocols.

• Contract Management:

  Prepare, negotiate, and manage contracts, SLAs, and agreements with suppliers.

• Cross-functional Coordination:

  Collaborate with QA, R&D, Finance, and Production teams for material specs, trials, and budget alignment.

• Market Intelligence:

  Monitor commodity trends, price fluctuations, and supply risks to mitigate procurement challenges.

• ERP & Documentation:

  Maintain updated records on ERP (SAP/Oracle or similar), and ensure timely PO processing and GRN documentation.

Qualifications & Skills:

• Bachelor’s degree in Commerce, Science, Food Technology, or relevant field (Material Management / Supply Chain).
• 5–10 years of procurement experience in the food processing or RTE industry.
• Sound knowledge of food-grade materials, packaging types, and supplier ecosystems.
• Strong negotiation and analytical skills.
• Familiarity with ERP / SAP systems and procurement modules.
• Good interpersonal, communication, and team management abilities.

Preferred Industry Background:

• Ready-to-Eat / Ready-to-Cook Foods
• FMCG / Food Processing Units
• Frozen / Packaged Foods Sector

Preferred candidate profile