Job Title: Head of Direct Material – APM
The newly established role of ‘Head of Direct Material - APM’ is critical to driving strategic growth and competitiveness in our area. As our business continues to expand, particularly in India, this role will focus on strengthening the cost competitiveness of our supply chain, directly impacting our ability to compete in the global market.
India holds immense potential as a manufacturing hub. However, compared to China, a clear cost gap persists in critical areas of direct material procurement. The key mandate of this role is to lead efforts to reduce this gap, leveraging sourcing strategies, building stronger supplier relationships, intensify benchmark activities and align and drive the cost competitive roadmaps in collaboration with key stakeholders.
Success in this position will directly improve the cost competitiveness of our India operations, increased market share, achieve better margins and a stronger foothold for export into the APM area and beyond. This strategic focus will not only elevate our position within India and the APM area but also reinforce our ability to meet global benchmarks in cost leadership.
By driving excellence in procurement practices and fostering collaboration across the APM supply chain, the Head of APM Procurement – Direct Material will be instrumental in delivering measurable value to our business and stakeholders.
What will you be doing?
Key Responsibilities:
· Ensure timely, quality, and cost-competitive supply for APM.
· Drive the Fuel for Growth strategy across the region.
· Align business requirements with category plans.
· Manage stakeholders and drive local and regional supply market analysis.
· Identify sourcing opportunities and risks.
· Implement and support sourcing category plans.
· Lead supplier negotiations and manage contracts.
· Address supplier issues and manage risk assessments.
· Promote savings opportunities and ensure compliance with KONE policies.
· Manage the sourcing budget and develop supplier roadmaps.
Leadership:
· Lead and develop the procurement team.
· Communicate company strategy and maintain succession plans at Senior Executive level.
· Ensure alignment with KONE WAY roles and staffing.
Are you the one?
· Educational qualification - B.Tech., or any relevant educational degree
· Strong Category management experience
· Relevant experience in sourcing or supply chain management.
· Strong analytical, strategic thinking, and negotiation skills.
· Ability to drive change in a matrix environment.
· Ability to build short, medium and long-term strategies.
· Proven leadership and interpersonal skills.
· Fluent in English.
· Willingness to travel at least 50% of time.
What do we offer?
Career progression and opportunities within a global organization
Total reward elements that engage and motivate our employees and help us make KONE a great place to work.
Comprehensive learning and development programs covering a wide range of professional skills.
You are surrounded by fun colleagues and a lively working environment within Business Services team and KONE Front Line. The best part is all leaders are great and open-minded.
At KONE, we are focused on creating an innovative and collaborative working culture where we value the contribution of each individual. Employee engagement is a key focus area for us and we encourage participation and the sharing of information and ideas. Sustainability is an integral part of our culture and the daily practice. We follow ethical business practices and we seek to develop a culture of working together where co-workers trust and respect each other and good performance is recognized. In being a great place to work, we are proud to offer a range of experiences and opportunities that will help you to achieve your career and personal goals and enable you to live a healthy and balanced life.
Read more on www.kone.com/careers