Manager Procurement – Raw Material

Atul Auto is Hiring – Manager Procurement – Raw Material | Atul, Gujarat

Position: Manager – Procurement (Raw Material)
Organization: Atul Auto
Location: Atul, Gujarat
Educational Qualification: Any Graduate + MBA (preferred in Supply Chain/Operations/Materials/Finance)
Experience Required: 8–10 Years

Atul Auto is expanding its supply chain and procurement function and is looking for an experienced Manager – Procurement (Raw Material) to manage sourcing, vendor development, cost control, and strategic procurement related to raw materials used in the automotive sector.

This role is ideal for candidates who have strong experience in automobile/auto components/engineering manufacturing procurement, especially handling raw materials like steel, plastics, castings, forgings, rubber parts, paints, batteries, electrical components, and packaging materials.

The right candidate will be responsible for ensuring uninterrupted material supply at optimal cost while maintaining quality standards and compliance with company processes.

Interested candidates may share their resume at:
📧 Yashpreetkaur_Sandhu@atul.co.in

Key Responsibilities

The Manager – Procurement (Raw Material) will be responsible for:

• Developing and implementing raw material procurement strategies
• Identifying, evaluating, and developing suppliers
• Negotiation of price, payment terms, contracts, and logistics
• Ensuring availability of materials as per production plans
• Vendor rating and performance monitoring
• Reducing procurement cost through strategic sourcing and VA/VE initiatives
• Maintaining optimum inventory levels and minimizing stock-outs
• Coordinating with production, PPC, stores, quality, and finance teams
• Handling import procurement (if applicable)
• Ensuring compliance with company policies and statutory norms
• Risk management for critical material supply
• Tracking market trends, price fluctuations, and alternative sourcing

Candidate Profile & Skills Required

A strong candidate should possess:

• 8–10 years of experience in procurement of raw materials
• Excellent negotiation & vendor management skills
• Knowledge of SAP/ERP procurement modules
• Strong analytical and cost-analysis ability
• Good communication and stakeholder management skills
• Understanding of automotive quality standards and specification control
• Experience in strategic sourcing and cost reduction projects
• Ability to handle multi-location suppliers and high SKU environment

An MBA enhances the profile and is highly preferred.

Interview Questions & Answers for Manager – Procurement (Raw Material)

Below are likely interview questions with structured, professional sample answers.

1️⃣ Question:

Explain your experience in raw material procurement in the automotive industry.

Answer:
I have handled procurement of major raw materials used in the automotive sector such as steel sheets, plastic granules, aluminum castings, fasteners, electrical components, and packaging materials. My key responsibilities included supplier development, rate negotiation, contract finalization, cost reduction initiatives, and inventory management. I worked closely with production, PPC, and quality teams to ensure material availability without excess inventory. I have also implemented procurement strategies to reduce costs while maintaining quality and delivery standards.

2️⃣ Question:

What strategies do you follow to reduce procurement cost?

Answer:
Cost reduction cannot be achieved only through price negotiation. I focus on the following strategies:

• Alternate supplier development
• Localization of imported materials
• Long-term rate contracts
• Value engineering and specification optimization
• Bulk buying and annual agreements
• Logistics optimization and freight reduction
• Inventory optimization to control carrying costs

I also track commodity price trends to time the purchase of major raw materials like steel and polymers.

3️⃣ Question:

How do you ensure timely availability of raw material?

Answer:
I integrate procurement planning with PPC schedules and sales forecasts. I maintain safety stock levels and reorder points based on consumption trends and lead time. I monitor supplier delivery performance regularly and develop backup suppliers for critical items. Close coordination with stores and production helps identify shortages early. For long lead-time imports, I plan in advance and track shipment schedules.

4️⃣ Question:

How do you evaluate and develop suppliers?

Answer:
Supplier evaluation is conducted based on QCD parameters—Quality, Cost, and Delivery. I conduct audits covering capability, capacity, financial stability, and system certifications. Performance is tracked through supplier rating systems. Development includes improving process capability, quality systems, cost reduction initiatives, and compliance with company requirements. For strategic suppliers, I build long-term partnerships rather than transactional relationships.

5️⃣ Question:

What ERP or procurement tools have you used?

Answer:
I have worked extensively on SAP-MM, Oracle, and other ERP-based procurement modules. I regularly use Excel and dashboards for MIS reporting, spend analysis, price variance tracking, and supplier performance monitoring.

6️⃣ Question:

How do you handle sudden price fluctuations in raw materials like steel or polymers?

Answer:
Price fluctuation risk is managed through long-term contracts, price hedging mechanisms where applicable, and developing multiple sourcing options. I closely track market indices and negotiate with suppliers based on transparency of cost breakup. I also communicate potential impact to management and sales teams to take pricing decisions.

7️⃣ Question:

Describe a procurement achievement you are proud of.

Answer:
In my previous organization, I led a supplier localization project where we replaced imported components with domestic suppliers. This resulted in 18–20% cost savings, reduced lead time significantly, and improved supply reliability. Additionally, I implemented an annual rate contract process that improved price stability and visibility.

8️⃣ Question:

Why do you want to join Atul Auto?

Answer:
Atul Auto is a reputed brand in the automotive sector with strong growth potential, especially in the three-wheeler and mobility segment. The role matches my expertise in raw material procurement and strategic sourcing. I see an excellent opportunity to contribute by improving cost competitiveness, supplier capability, and strengthening the procurement function.

Final Tips for Candidates

• Emphasize automotive procurement experience
• Demonstrate negotiation and vendor development capability
• Show understanding of raw material price trends
• Highlight cost reduction projects you have led
• Talk about ERP knowledge and data-driven decision making
• Showcase leadership and cross-functional coordination skills