Procurement Specialist (FMCG Raw Materials, Packaging Materials & Machinery)

Company Overview

Didier & Frank is a luxury chocolate brand renowned for its leadership in dark chocolates and cocoa products. The company specializes in quick commerce, airline, and retail sectors, emphasizing high-quality ingredients and innovative packaging solutions.

Job Summary

The Procurement Specialist will be responsible for sourcing and managing procurement of food ingredients, packaging materials, and selected production machinery. This role requires a strong technical background in food technology and R&D, ensuring the seamless supply of high-quality raw materials and packaging solutions. The specialist will collaborate closely with R&D, Quality, Production, and Planning teams to evaluate suppliers, negotiate terms, and maintain uninterrupted material availability, contributing to the company's growth and product excellence.

Responsibilities

• Raw Material Procurement: Source coffee, cocoa, creamers, sugar, flavors, additives, and other food ingredients. Develop reliable domestic and international supplier networks, obtain quotations, negotiate pricing, MOQs, credit terms, lead times, and supply schedules. Track commodity prices and recommend optimal purchase timing and quantities.
• Technical and R&D Coordination: Evaluate ingredients based on functionality, sensory profile, formulation requirements, and commercial viability. Coordinate sampling, product trials, and supplier approvals with R&D and Quality teams. Support product development, reformulation, and value-engineering projects.
• Packaging Material Procurement: Procure mono cartons, multilayer laminates, printed poly, pouches, labels, and corrugated boxes. Understand laminate structures, barrier properties, thickness, grammage, and printing specifications. Coordinate artwork, print trials, and commercial production, ensuring packaging compatibility with products and shelf-life requirements.
• Machinery and Capital Purchases: Support evaluation and procurement of FFS (Form-Fill-Seal) machines, packaging equipment, and ancillary systems. Compare suppliers based on price, output, automation, and maintenance. Coordinate machine trials, installation, and commissioning.
• Supplier and Purchase Management: Evaluate, onboard, and maintain relationships with suppliers. Monitor quality, cost, delivery, and responsiveness. Create purchase orders, track materials, resolve quality or delivery issues, and maintain procurement records and supplier performance reports.
• Planning and Inventory Coordination: Collaborate with Production and Planning teams to ensure timely material availability. Monitor stock levels, consumption trends, and open purchase orders. Prevent stockouts, excess inventory, and material expiry. Prepare procurement MIS reports covering purchase value, savings, and supplier performance, ensuring compliance with FSSAI, GST, import regulations, and internal processes.

Qualifications

• Educational Qualification: B.Tech/M.Tech in Food Technology, Food Science, or a related discipline.
• Experience: 3 to 7 years in food-product R&D, technical procurement, or ingredient sourcing.
• Technical Skills:
  • Strong understanding of food ingredients, formulations, sensory evaluation, and product specifications.
  • Exposure to flexible packaging materials and food-packaging requirements.
  • Prior experience with coffee, cocoa, creamers, premixes, beverages, or confectionery is preferred.
• Soft Skills:
  • Excellent negotiation and supplier development skills.
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and ERP or purchase-management systems.
  • Ability to manage high-value purchases with accuracy and commercial discipline.
  • Strong coordination and communication skills to work with cross-functional teams.

Preferred Skills

• Experience in food R&D or product development.
• Knowledge of regulatory standards such as FSSAI and import regulations.
• Familiarity with packaging structures, barrier properties, and printing processes.
• Ability to evaluate samples and negotiate quotations effectively.
• Experience working with international suppliers and high-value procurement.

Experience

• 3 to 7 years of relevant experience in food ingredient sourcing, procurement, or R&D within the FMCG or food manufacturing industry.

Environment

• The role is based at ICC Towers, Pune, next to JW Marriott & Pavilion Mall.
• Full-time, permanent employment.
• Standard work hours from Monday to Friday, 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, with half-day on Saturday.
• The work environment involves collaboration with cross-functional teams, supplier visits, and coordination of technical evaluations.

Salary

• Not specified.

GrowthOpportunities

• The role offers exposure to domestic and international suppliers, high-value procurement, and cross-functional leadership collaboration, providing pathways for career advancement within procurement, supply chain, or product development functions.

Benefits

• Not specified.