Manager - Direct Sourcing

About the Position

At Kohler India Technical Center, we are a dedicated global capability center providing comprehensive technical and non-technical services for all Kohler Co. businesses and product lines worldwide.

We are seeking a dynamic, seasoned Indirect Sourcing Manager to lead global procurement initiatives across corporate categories. The ideal candidate will bring strong people leadership experience, deep domain expertise in direct procurement, categories / commodities and a proven track record of managing centralized or global sourcing operations (GCC/GIC/Capability Centers).

Key Responsibilities

Leadership & People Management

Lead and develop a high‑performing sourcing team; ensure capability building, career development, and succession planning.

Provide strategic directions on sourcing processes, contracts, governance, and operational excellence.

Build a culture of collaboration, accountability, and continuous improvement within the team.

Strategic Sourcing & New Product Development

Lead end‑to‑end sourcing activities for New Product Development (NPD) across multiple categories and commodities, from concept to launch.

Drive early sourcing engagement to support design‑to‑cost, supplier selection, and supply continuity for NPD programs across identified geographies.

Develop and execute NPD‑aligned category strategies to enable innovation, cost competitiveness, risk mitigation, and scalability aligned with global business objectives

Contracting & Supplier Management

Define and execute NPD‑focused contracting strategies, including design and development agreements, tooling contracts, and SLAs supporting new product launches.

Ensure contracts enable speed‑to‑market, IP protection, commercial flexibility, and compliance with procurement and engineering governance.

Build and nurture strategic supplier partnerships to support innovation, technical capability development, and long‑term NPD roadmap.

Savings & Value Creation Projects

Deliver cost and value targets for NPD programs through design‑to‑cost, should‑costing, and early sourcing interventions.

Identify and execute value creation initiatives such as supplier co‑development, global sourcing leverage, localization, and platform strategies.

Utilize competitive bidding, RFQs, and eSourcing events to optimize cost, lead time, and supplier capability during NPD phases, Gate Exits.

Stakeholder Management & Communication

Engage Global Sourcing, Project Management and Engineering leadership and stakeholders to enable aligned decision‑making.

Present sourcing strategies, milestones status, gate exit updates and analytical insights to the executive leadership, whenever required.

Develop, maintain, and enhance relations with the stakeholders.

Understand business requirements, ensure alignment with category strategy and exhibit superior customer service skills.

Forecast growth opportunities, prepare roadmaps, and build capabilities for future readiness

Capability Building & Continuous Improvement

Develop and enhance sourcing capabilities for the global teams.

Leverage analytics and automation to improve sourcing efficiency.

Required Qualifications & Skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree (Engineering preferred).
Post‑graduate qualification in Supply Chain / Operations / Business (preferred).

Experience

6+ years of People Management experience.
Strong experience of 12+ years in Direct Sourcing (preferably NPDs) in global environments.
Experience managing sourcing for GCC/GIC or Central Procurement Hubs.

Technical & Functional Competencies

Expertise in strategic sourcing, contracting, and supplier governance.
Knowledge of analytics, eSourcing tools, SAP/JAGGAER/Ariba.
Ability to create data‑driven procurement strategies.

Behavioral & Leadership Competencies

Excellent communication & presentation skills.
Strong business acumen and problem‑solving mindset.
Ability to manage multicultural teams globally.

Manager - Direct Sourcing

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