JOSEPH SAMRAJ
Procurement Leader
Sharjah,UAE
Summary
My professional career started in procurement and over the last 12 years, I have grown steadily and been exposed to various dimensions within procurement. I have gained experience across a broad width of direct and indirect categories (local & regional), as well as a deep end-to-end understanding of various processes within procurement. I have also enjoyed the opportunities to lead teams and embraced the challenges of implementing key transformation initiatives in procurement.
I aim to achieve 3 key objectives – deliver relevant results for my business stakeholders, sustainably improve my team’s working environment and to enrich my learning cycle.
Overview
6
6
years of post-secondary education
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Group Packaging Procurement Manager
IFFCO
Sharjah, UAE
03.2019 - Current
- Responsible for global sourcing of packaging materials for the IFFCO Group, encompassing 12 diverse business segments spread out across the Middle-East, Asia, Africa and Europe.
- Exposure to a semi-centralized organization – central procurement supporting decentralized business units with individual P&Ls, catering to both B2B and B2C customer base.
- New market learning – Sourcing for UAE, Saudi, Oman, Egypt, Pakistan, Malaysia, etc.
- Manage packaging requirements across diverse product range – Oils & Fats, Chocolates, Biscuits, Confectionery, Ice creams, Flour, Personal care, Culinary products, Poultry, Specialty Ingredients, Frozen foods, etc.
- Extensive range of Packaging Formats – Flexibles, Rigids, Paper, Metals, Glass, etc.
- Delivered significant savings through structured Group-level contracts with cost models
- Driven multiple process improvements in sourcing and internal stakeholder engagement.
Sr. Manager - APAC Packaging Procurement
Kellogg Asia Pacific Ltd
Mumbai, India
06.2017 - 02.2019
- Responsible for sourcing paper-based packaging (cartons & corrugates), encompassing a spend of approx. USD 52MM, across 7 countries and 25 suppliers.
- Delivered ~4% savings across business units through competitive benchmarking and cost modelling
- Worked with product development team on breaking down specification roadblocks.
- Executed competitive bidding for upstream board supplies in Australia and Thailand.
Sr. Manager - India Procurement Operations
Kellogg India Pvt. Ltd
Mumbai, India
08.2014 - 05.2017
- Set up and led the India procurement operations team, which was responsible for seamless delivery of India procurement needs in alignment with Regional Procurement strategies.
- Led a team of 7 people and managed a spend of $43MM across 70 vendors (only directs).
- Built a collaborative interface with the local leadership and regional sourcing teams.
- Analyzed the issues which created maximum noise and setup processes to monitor them.
- Key challenges addressed: Budget overruns, packaging changes, product launches, write-offs, contractual coverages & import regulations.
Manager - Capex Procurement (Brownfield)
Mondelēz India Foods Ltd
Mumbai, India
01.2012 - 07.2014
- Led a fresh brownfield capex procurement team to partner with a newly created engineering projects vertical and support massive capacity expansion activities.
- Led a team of 3 people and managed a spend of $18MM across process & packing lines.
- Understood the key needs of the business and built mechanisms to deliver the same.
- Key challenges addressed: Legal compliance, OEM service level agreements, order turn-around time, project budget tracking, cash flow & machinery imports.
Manager - Flexible Packaging Procurement
Mondelēz India Foods Ltd
Mumbai, India
01.2010 - 12.2011
- Managed the sourcing of flexible packaging in India with a spend of approx USD 18MM.
- Implemented inter-changeable PET-BOPP structures to leverage market price movements.
- Developed competitive vendor-base for cold-seal laminates in India.
- Conducted reverse auction for flexibles across the Asia Pacific region through Ariba.
Manager - Fruits and Nuts Procurement
Mondelēz India Foods Ltd
Mumbai, India
04.2009 - 06.2010
- Managed the sourcing of fruits & nuts (almonds, cashews, hazelnuts, raisins, etc.) in India with a spend of approx. USD 5MM.
- Learned and provided insight into alternate varieties of almonds to save costs.
- Optimized supply chain of almonds (import – cold storage – processing – delivery).
Manager - Procurement Implementation (Asia)
Mondelēz India Foods Ltd
Mumbai, India
06.2008 - 12.2009
- Developed and implemented global procurement processes & tools in Asia.
- Developed and rolled-out SAP e-sourcing system for bidding and vendor management.
- Trained teams and rolled out supplier relationship management (SRM) process.
- Segmented high-risk suppliers through business impact assessment and followed it up with a cross-functional risk management committee to track closure of identified risks.
Education
MBA - International Business
Indian Institute Of Foreign Trade
New Delhi, India 06.2006 - 03.2008
Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
College Of Engineering, Guindy (Anna University)
Chennai, India 06.2002 - 03.2006
Skills
Analytical Mindset - Enjoy discovering insights through data
Effective communication with top-notch written, oral and presentation skills
Broad spectrum of category exposure across ingredients, packaging and capex
Data-driven performance management through metrics and dashboards
Strategic Perspective - Interfacing with CxO's, understanding business / procurement linkages, broader market dynamics and unlocking cost drivers
Grass roots knowledge of procurement policy, new product development, change management, supply planning, vendor development, budgeting and crisis management
Team Leadership - Enjoy working with new teams and building a winning culture
Accomplishments
- Received “Outstanding Future Procurement Leader” award at CPO Forum India 2016
- Recognized within Kellogg APAC as the “Best Procurement Operations Team” in 2015
Timeline
Group Packaging Procurement Manager
IFFCO
03.2019 - Current
Sr. Manager - APAC Packaging Procurement
Kellogg Asia Pacific Ltd
06.2017 - 02.2019
Sr. Manager - India Procurement Operations
Kellogg India Pvt. Ltd
08.2014 - 05.2017
Manager - Capex Procurement (Brownfield)
Mondelēz India Foods Ltd
01.2012 - 07.2014
Manager - Flexible Packaging Procurement
Mondelēz India Foods Ltd
01.2010 - 12.2011
Manager - Fruits and Nuts Procurement
Mondelēz India Foods Ltd
04.2009 - 06.2010
Manager - Procurement Implementation (Asia)
Mondelēz India Foods Ltd
06.2008 - 12.2009
MBA - International Business
Indian Institute Of Foreign Trade
06.2006 - 03.2008
Bachelor of Engineering - Mechanical Engineering
College Of Engineering, Guindy (Anna University)
06.2002 - 03.2006