Responsibilities & Key Deliverables

As the Deputy Manager - Buying at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd within the Farm Division, you will play a pivotal role in the procurement and supply chain functions specific to tractor manufacturing. Your core responsibility will be to manage and optimise the buying process, ensuring timely procurement of high-quality materials and components while adhering to cost efficiency and supplier management best practices. You will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams including design, production, quality assurance, and logistics to align buying strategies with the overall business objectives of the Chennai Hub.

Key Deliverables:

• Develop and implement effective buying plans and procurement strategies to support the tractor manufacturing process, keeping inventory and MRP systems optimised.
• Identify, evaluate, and negotiate with suppliers, striving for cost competitiveness, quality enhancements, and delivery reliability.
• Ensure compliance with organisational procurement policies, legal regulations, and quality standards throughout the buying cycle.
• Conduct continuous market research and supplier benchmarking, leveraging SAP and Material Requirements Planning (MRP) tools to inform purchasing decisions.
• Collaborate on cross-departmental initiatives aimed at cost reduction, process improvement, and innovation in supply chain operations.
• Monitor supplier performance metrics and address any deviations proactively through corrective actions or supplier development programs.
• Manage procurement budgets, forecasting, and reporting to support decision making and maintain financial discipline.
• Contribute to strategic sourcing projects and participate in leadership discussions to enhance supply chain resilience and sustainability impacts.
• Ensure stakeholder engagement by fostering transparent communication and building robust relationships across functions and with external vendors.

By executing these responsibilities, you will contribute significantly to the Farm Division’s objective of delivering reliable and sustainable agricultural machinery solutions.

Preferred Industries

Education Qualification

The ideal candidate will hold a Bachelor of Engineering degree, preferably specialising in Mechanical Engineering, which provides a strong foundation in the principles pertinent to manufacturing and supply chain within the automotive sector. Academic credentials should reflect a solid grasp of engineering fundamentals, materials science, and production processes.

Preferred Additional Qualifications:

• Postgraduate certifications or courses in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, or Logistics will be advantageous.
• Familiarity with industry-specific training such as lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or quality management systems is desirable.
• Proficiency in using SAP and material planning software demonstrated through formal training or hands-on experience.

Continuous professional development and commitment to learning are encouraged to keep pace with the rapidly evolving automotive and farm machinery industries.

General Experience

The position requires candidates to have an overall 2 to 4 years of proven experience within a relevant purchasing or supply chain role, preferably in the automotive industry or related manufacturing sectors. Experience should encompass end-to-end procurement processes including supplier identification, negotiation, purchase order management, and use of ERP systems like SAP for material requirements planning.

Additional Experience Attributes:

• Exposure to working in a dynamic manufacturing environment, ideally with tractor or heavy vehicle components.
• Demonstrated ability to manage supplier relations and coordinate with multiple internal stakeholders for timely delivery and quality assurance.
• Experience in implementing cost optimization initiatives and inventory control.
• Analytical skills with a data-driven approach to decision-making and process improvements.

This experience will ensure readiness to effectively handle the responsibilities associated with the Deputy Manager - Buying role and contribute to achieving departmental and company goals.

Critical Experience

The critical experience required for this buying role in tractor manufacturing includes a deep understanding of automotive supply chain dynamics and strong proficiency in sourcing strategies. Candidates must have hands-on expertise working with Material Requirements Planning (MRP) systems and SAP modules to manage procurement workflows efficiently.

Specific Critical Experience Includes:

• Track record of successful negotiation and supplier management within the automotive or farm machinery manufacturing industry.
• Experience integrating sustainability considerations within procurement decisions, aligned with leadership competencies such as strategic foresight and stakeholder focus.
• Proven ability to anticipate market trends and leverage business opportunities through innovative buying approaches and data analytics.
• Capability to lead vendor evaluation, auditing, and development to uphold quality and compliance standards.
• Strong project management skills to execute procurement projects within timelines while ensuring cost-efficiency and quality deliverables.
• Demonstrated alignment with Mahindra’s leadership competencies including a focus on customer delight, accountability for results, agility with discipline, and fostering exponential synergy within teams.

This critical experience will enable the candidate to contribute actively to Mahindra & Mahindra’s supply chain excellence and support sustainable business growth in the Farm Division.

System Generated Core Skills

System Generated Secondary Skills