Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Languages
Timeline
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SARAVANAN GUNASEKERAN

Chennai

Summary

Dynamic and results-driven Global Category & Procurement Manager with 18 years of progressive experience in Indirect Procurement, particularly within high-tech and semiconductor industries. Proven expertise in driving procurement transformation in cutting-edge environments, including managing complex sourcing strategies for R&D and semiconductor capital equipment. Adept in leveraging advanced digital procurement platforms, data analytics, and market intelligence to optimize indirect spend and align procurement with innovation goals. Skilled in supplier relationship management, cost optimization, and strategic negotiation, with a strong record of delivering multimillion-dollar savings. Recognized for cross-functional collaboration, leadership, and enabling technology adoption in global supply chain ecosystems.

Overview

17
17
years of professional experience

Work History

Procurement Business Partner Head of Indirect Procurement – Indirect Categories and R&D

Applied Materials India Pvt Ltd
Bangalore
07.2021 - Current
  • 18+ years of global procurement experience, with a strong focus on indirect sourcing and R&D procurement within the high-tech and semiconductor industries.
  • Managed $1.25B+ in total spend portfolio at Applied Materials, including $750M in indirect categories and $500M in R&D procurement.
  • Delivered 14% cost savings in FY’24 through innovative sourcing strategies, supplier negotiations, and spend optimization.
  • Spearheaded the movement from Legacy buying platform to on-demand Ariba platform globally.
  • Moved away with SHI for India due to RBI regulations for services in India and closed the deal with local Indian vendor for all Software bought from India.
  • Successful in closing a 3-year deal with Smartsheet Globally for Applied Materials Inc.
  • Implemented docusign in India and thus by moving away from E-signatures.
  • Implemented global labor strategy pipeline, identifying $34M in potential cost reduction opportunities.
  • Successfully negotiated the wafer deal for 3 years with a savings of $5M.
  • Developed a global travel sourcing strategy with a projected cost-saving pipeline of $20M+.
  • Led the roll-out of new digital procurement tools across regional teams; acted as change agent and tool ambassador.
  • Collaborated closely with R&D to conduct should-cost analysis for prototype builds, enabling scalable cost efficiencies for future mass production.
  • Directed supplier qualification strategies for global and regional facilities retrofit projects, supporting advanced manufacturing readiness.
  • Built and mentored high-performing category management teams; enabled strategic playbooks that aligned with global category plans.
  • Acted as the primary procurement liaison to India business leadership, building strong cross-functional and executive-level trust.
  • Deep expertise in driving sourcing strategies for complex, high-tech ecosystems with fast-paced innovation cycles.

Global Category Manager

Genpact India Pvt Ltd
Hyderabad
06.2019 - 07.2021
  • Lead global category strategies across IT services, marketing, and professional services, managing a spend portfolio of $4B.
  • Achieved cost savings of 17% through strategic sourcing, supplier consolidation, and negotiation initiatives and tail spend initiatives.
  • Spearheaded supplier relationship management programs to ensure continuous improvement, innovation, and compliance with sustainability goals.
  • Partnered with stakeholders across HR and facilities to align procurement strategies with organizational priorities.
  • Implemented a global supplier performance scorecard, reducing non-compliance rates by 2%.
  • Leveraged digital procurement tools to automate processes, enhance transparency, and improve spend visibility.
  • Developed and executed supplier risk management strategies, mitigating supply chain disruptions by 5%.

Senior Manager Quality & Process Innovation

Teleperformance
Guyana
01.2019 - 04.2019
  • Developed an automated data cleansing process to reduce manual errors and improve data quality.
  • Implemented a quality assurance process that improved product quality and reduced customer complaints.
  • Implemented a quality control process that improved product quality by 35%.
  • Utilized data analytics to identify areas of improvement and inform strategic decision-making.

Head of Operations & Strategy

Unifynd Technologies
Chennai
09.2018 - 12.2018
  • Being a part of the Senior Management team and responsible for implementing sustainable business processes.
  • Working closely with the product, customer success, business development and marketing team.
  • Manage all operational aspects including budgeting, hiring and planning.
  • Manage employee performance by establishing clear goals and expectations, tracking progress against goals, ensuring timely feedback.

Global Operations and Sourcing Manager

IBM India Pvt Ltd
Bangalore
09.2008 - 05.2018
  • Business Strategy planning and execution.
  • Performing due diligence, delivery, sales & engagements.
  • Establish analytics, forecast and implement programs.
  • Relationship management across all Business Units.
  • Digital Transformation of client’s organization using Cognitive tools.
  • Driving quality initiatives to enhance the user experience.
  • Smooth delivery +operations whilst handling transition for other locations.
  • Driving strategic initiatives like NO PO No Pay, Spend.
  • Driving Change management & implement continuous improvement projects.
  • Analyze process gaps using fit gap analysis method and implement process improvements wherever applicable.
  • Establish operational goals and develop business plans for the achievement of client driven KPI’s & SLA’s.
  • Measurements based on Financial and Business Metrics for reviews with the PE, & DPE’s.
  • Understanding & listening to customer needs and provide appropriate technology solution.

Education

Bachelors of Engineering - ECE

Anna University
Chennai
06.2006

Skills

  • Contract negotiation
  • Indirect spend optimization
  • Supplier relationship management
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Data analytics
  • People management
  • Spend analysis
  • Strategic sourcing
  • Cost reduction
  • Category management
  • Client relationship management

Languages

  • Hindi
  • Tamil
  • English

Timeline

Procurement Business Partner Head of Indirect Procurement – Indirect Categories and R&D

Applied Materials India Pvt Ltd
07.2021 - Current

Global Category Manager

Genpact India Pvt Ltd
06.2019 - 07.2021

Senior Manager Quality & Process Innovation

Teleperformance
01.2019 - 04.2019

Head of Operations & Strategy

Unifynd Technologies
09.2018 - 12.2018

Global Operations and Sourcing Manager

IBM India Pvt Ltd
09.2008 - 05.2018

Bachelors of Engineering - ECE

Anna University

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