ROLE PURPOSE
The Global Procurement Director and Country Manager (India) is responsible for developing a strategic approach to corporate procurement and materials management for both direct and indirect goods and services. This is a global role supporting Signant’s operations in US/Americas, Europe, APAC and Africa. In this leadership role, the successful candidate will collaborate cross-functionally with senior leaders across Signant to define procurement strategies and tactics for each category, establish or update procurement policies and procedures, and build a centralized procurement program that drives value and efficiency. This role requires a proven track record of delivering significant bottom-line impact through strategic sourcing and effective vendor negotiations.
In addition, as the Country Manager for India, this role ensures compliance with local corporate laws and serves as the authorized signatory for legal and financial transactions. The individual will lead operating committees for India operations, advise on local regulations and market dynamics, and act as the central point of contact for global and functional leaders on India-specific initiatives. The role includes representing and leading India-based team members and providing guidance during times of crisis.
Key Accountabilities
Negotiation Strategy & Execution
Lead complex, high-stakes negotiations with strategic suppliers to achieve optimal commercial terms and pricing structures Develop and implement sophisticated negotiation strategies for different categories of spend and supplier types Establish negotiation frameworks and playbooks for the procurement organization Drive annual cost savings targets through strategic supplier negotiations and contract optimization
Financial Management & Cost Reduction
Deliver annual cost savings across managed spend categories through strategic sourcing and negotiations Identify and capture savings opportunities through supplier consolidation, term optimization, and volume leveraging Implement should-cost modeling and price benchmarking to strengthen negotiating positions Develop creative deal structures that deliver mutual value while maximizing company benefits Track and report realized savings versus targets, ensuring negotiated savings flow to the bottom line Take the initiative to assess the entire non-labor spend of the organization, identify areas of cost savings, and implement agreed upon recommendations
Supplier Relationship Management
Build and maintain strategic partnerships with key suppliers while maintaining negotiation leverage Oversee supplier performance management and evaluation programs Structure long-term agreements that maintain competitive tension and flexibility
Managing Director Responsibilities
Ensure compliance with local corporate laws as Board Managing Director and authorized signatory. Execute legal and financial documents, transactions, and contracts. Lead Operating Committees for India operations. Provide advice on navigating local regulations, cultural nuances, and market dynamics Establish and maintain relationships with key stakeholders such as government authorities, suppliers, and industry associations, when necessary Act as central point of contact for the company’s global and functional leaders. Collaborate with company leaders to develop and execute India-specific projects and initiatives Serve as representative and leader for India team members Provide guidance and leadership during crises
Knowledge, Skills & Attributes
Bachelor’s degree required; Master’s degree or MBA preferred 15+ years of procurement experience, with at least 8 years in senior leadership roles in global procurement organizations Demonstrated success in negotiating complex, high-value contracts with documented cost savings Advanced training or certification in negotiation techniques Proven track record of delivering significant cost savings Strong understanding of global sourcing strategies Excellence in negotiation, relationship building, and stakeholder management International procurement and cross-cultural negotiation experience Strong analytical and financial acumen Experience in pharma tech or pharma services sector Advanced financial modelling and analytics skills Experience with major ERP systems and procurement technologies