Build strong working relationships with Transport service providers to ensure world class quality services and delivery performance while adherence to safety and operational standards.
Identify Transport Services category imperatives aligned to the organization’s business objectives and assist senior management in developing a category management framework within which teams develop and execute category strategies and other initiatives aimed at reducing the total cost of ownership (TCO)
Facilitate the infrastructure, climate and provide necessary support for teams to operate effectively and to ensure the effective execution of approved category strategies.
Implement category strategies by effective sourcing, evaluate suppliers, negotiate contracts, and manage supplier relationships.
The category manager is also responsible for ensuring the sustainability of the category initiatives
Key Accountabilities
Strategic Activities
Participates with the Lead – Business Contract in the category strategy development process by identifying internal and external challenges and opportunities for development of appropriate procurement strategy.
Support in analyzing business requirement including layover patterns to optimize transport arrangements including timely availability to minimize disruptions to flight operations
Support business users and Lead – Business contract in defining Service level agreements for strategic vendor performance.
Manage the spend against the budget for the category and optimize costs while maintaining service quality, delivery performance and adhering to company travel policies.
Engage with business unit stakeholders to clarify and prioritize the value that is required for the category management function.
Develop key performance indicators to track improvements flowing from implementation and takes remedial action to meet the target.
Develop Strategic joint projects with preferred suppliers post discussions in strategic supplier meetings with senior leadership of Air India
Category Strategy Business Integration and Execution
Continuously scans the business environment of global hotel business supply market to keep abreast of latest trends to identify sourcing opportunities and challenges to meet the business requirement of procurement.
Engage with business unit stakeholders to clarify and prioritize the value that is required for the category management function.
Ensures good governance in all aspects of category management.
Designs and drives the establishment of systems and standard operating procedure for automating the sourcing to pay cycle for the category procurement.
Implement action steps as per category management strategy to improve work environment, culture, system updates and coordinated team efforts for overall efficiency.
Monitor supplier performance and implement course correction based on feedback reports from supplier / Business shareholders on supply chain risk.
Ensures that all strategic initiatives projects logged with supplier interface are driven through the improvement framework at Air India
Support senior management in tracking category spend and ensure cost-effective resource allocation.
Relationship Management
Ensure that all category management strategies including contracting, supplier life cycle and supplier performance are followed by shared services according to standard operating procedure, Quality Management practices and improving new processes wherever required.
Drive an awareness of supplier expectations and requirements within the organization to foster win-win supplier relationships.
Engage with Lead for category management strategy and buy-in for relevant category management strategic initiatives.
Establish personal and functional credibility by ensuring quick resolution of service issues escalation.
Team Management
Provide direction and advice to shared services in performing their delegated responsibilities
Ensure team adherence to all statutory and regulatory compliances during the Souring to pay process.
Any other additional responsibility could be assigned to the role holder from time to time as a standalone project or regular work. The same would be suitably represented in the Primary responsibilities and agreed between the incumbent, reporting officer and HR
Skills/Qualities Required
Stakeholder Management
KPI reporting skills
Interpersonal Skills
Negotiation Skills
Supplier Relationship Management
Analytical and Data Management skills
Creativity
Learning Agility
Risk Management
Sustainability
Key Performance Indicators
TAT for PR to Contract
Procurement cost Savings
Average negotiated payment days
Number of new strategic suppliers developed
Contract management review coordinated with business users and vendors
Bonus and penalty clauses activated for monitoring of contract efficiency and effectiveness
Key Interfaces
Internal Interfaces
Lead of other
Procurement verticals
Liaise with the Lead for day-to-day procurement management activities
Business units of Air India
Liaise with business unit stakeholders on procurement of non-aircraft service contract, managing escalations of complaints resolution, etc.
Other category managers
Liaise with the other category managers of procurement for non-aircraft requirement activities
Educational and Experience Requirements
Minimum Education requirements
Graduate/post-graduate/Master’s degree in Engineering/Commerce/Business or equivalent
Specialization/ Certificate course in Procurement, logistics and supply management will be an added advantage
Experience
Minimum
Desired
2-3 years of experience in category management function
Experience in leading teams for procurement operations function
Experience in the aviation sector is an added advantage