Category Buyer ( Site and Business services )

We are a leading chemical company, with the best teams developing intelligent solutions for our customers, and for a sustainable future.

We connect and develop people with diverse talents all over the world. For you, this means a variety of ways to progress.

Not only your performance but also your personality matter to us, regardless of gender, age, ethnicity, orientation, and background.  At BASF, careers develop from opportunities. 

About The Role

• Support procurement activities for BASF Global Digital (GD) and Global Business (GB) Service Centres being established in Hyderabad.


• Manage procurement for large and complex offices and sites with multiple production units, businesses, and functions, including Site and Business Services across BASF locations beyond Hyderabad.


• Contribute to the development, implementation, and monitoring of regional category strategies covering Site and Business Services (e.g., Facility Management, Fleet, HR Services, Marketing & Communications, and Legal).


• Oversee contract implementation and performance monitoring.


• Drive category management initiatives to achieve cost efficiencies and value creation.


• Execute supplier management, including performance evaluation and relationship management.


• Ensure vendor compliance with human rights practices in line with applicable country laws and regulations.


• Manage Procure-to-Pay (P2P) processes effectively. 
  
  

How Will You Do It

Supplier Management:
Monitor supplier performance to ensure alignment with BASF standards on quality, quantity, and service responsiveness. Maintain strong supplier relationships through regular communication and drive corrective actions using established performance management tools when required.
Provide regular updates to internal stakeholders on market dynamics, including pricing trends, supply risks, supplier performance, and insights.
Identify and develop new suppliers through market research and analysis to support business growth, including supplier evaluation, commercial negotiations, contracting, and onboarding.

Supplier Qualification:
Identify and develop new supplier sources, with a strong focus on local vendors in Hyderabad. Lead supplier audits and qualification processes in collaboration with technical teams.

Source-to-Contract (S2C) Management:
Manage the end-to-end S2C process using BASF procurement tools (e.g., SAP Ariba, Mercanis).
Take full ownership of bidding processes for medium- to high-value purchases, including documentation, evaluation, and award.

Procure-to-Pay (P2P) Management:
Oversee the complete P2P cycle, including purchase orders (via SAP), contract execution (including paper-based agreements where applicable), and vendor payments.

Negotiation & Cost Management:
Develop and execute negotiation strategies for high-value contracts, with a strong focus on achieving EBIT savings in line with BASF policies.

Category Management – Business & Site Services:
Lead S2C activities for Business Services categories, including:

• HR services (manpower outsourcing, recruitment)


• Marketing services (events, promotions, corporate communications)


• Legal and professional consulting services
  Maintain deep category knowledge across site services (facility management, leasing, fleet management) and business support functions.

Compliance & Governance:
Ensure adherence to human rights, governance, and regulatory requirements, particularly in manpower outsourcing for manufacturing and business operations.
Manage internal and external audits and ensure compliance across all assigned procurement activities.

Market Intelligence & Strategy:
Continuously monitor market trends, cost developments, and supplier landscapes through data analysis and external engagement.
Translate insights into procurement strategies and provide forecasts on cost and supply impacts to relevant stakeholders.

Stakeholder & Supplier Communication:
Build and maintain strong relationships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to ensure effective implementation of BASF procurement policies and procedures.

Additional Responsibilities & Requirements

• Operate under the functional guidance of the Regional Category Manager.


• Execute supplier and risk management strategies as defined, including performance evaluation, innovation initiatives, and mitigation plans.


• Report negotiation outcomes and procurement performance metrics.


• Collaborate closely with headquarters in Mumbai and regional teams in Shanghai.

Preferred Experience

• Strong knowledge of the Hyderabad market is an advantage.


• Experience managing procurement for large multinational corporate offices (GCCs, GSCs, shared services centers).


• Exposure to large-scale office environments (approx. 100,000 sq. ft., 2,000–3,000 headcount).


• Experience in office interiors procurement is an added advantage.
  
  
  

What We Look For

Education:
Master’s degree with a minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, or Bachelor’s degree with at least 10 years of experience across two relevant roles. An MBA / CPSM/CIPS is an added advantage.

Professional Experience:
Proven experience in Procurement, preferably within a corporate or multinational environment.

Core Competencies:

• Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills


• In-depth knowledge of suppliers, market dynamics, products, and technologies within relevant categories


• Good understanding of Business Services, including HR, Marketing, Corporate Communications, Legal, and engagement of professional consultants

Language Proficiency:

• Fluency in English and Hindi


• Knowledge of regional language (Telugu) is an added advantage

Technical Skills:

• Proficiency in SAP systems (e.g., SAP R/3, Cobalt, SAP Business Warehouse, Strategic Procurement Suite)


• Advanced skills in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint


• Familiarity with digital tools such as Copilot and Power BI