V. Ananda Kumar

An experienced procurement professional with 26 years of experience maintaining vendor relationships to facilitate cost-effective and timely purchasing functions. Excellent negotiation and contract development skills.

Worked in challenging environment and independently lead category for Global Procurement & Strategic sourcing activities to achieve cost competitiveness & high reliability with supplier base.

Embraced diverse environment and collaborated with Cross Functional, Global Teams in achieving the key deliverables through effective problem solving.

• 33MN worth Raw/Packaging buy with saving of minimum 12% on the budgeted rates, through various cost saving initiatives in Hershey India Private Limited, India.
• 34 MN worth buy related to MRO/Capex & Indirect Materials Annually.
• Handled as many as 7 co-manufacturing locations, besides own factory – Hershey India Private Limited, India
• 12 MN worth buy with 2% saving on the budgeted price during the year 2005, $ 9 MN worth buy with 15% saving on the budgeted price during the year 2004 and $ 6 M worth buy with 8% saving on the budgeted price during the year 2003 in Perfetti VanMelle India
• Handled expansion project worth $ 2 MN independently with DuPont Fibers Limited during the year 2000 - 2001.

• Owning the budget rate ratified by business for the current year and being within the Strat plan for next 3 years for material cost both indigenous and imports, this includes commodities like Sugar, Glucose, Dairy, Cocoa, Palm, PET, PP based Rigid Plastics, Flexible packaging, paper based packaging materials and imports of few Raw and packaging materials.
• Controlling, Reporting & Setting Goals for team in line with self and business objectives both tactical and strategic.
• Vendor identification, development & rating basis feedback from production, QRC and Finance, Corrective Actions and Recognition of Raw & Packaging Materials vendors at global supplier awards.
• Ensuring availability of Raw and Packaging material for the month plan and next month cover basis rolling forecast on OTIF basis and without overstocking, inventory stocking norms to achieve operating income target
• Import of finished Goods & Semi Finished Goods, from affiliated units across the globe, through SVB.
• NPD of International Brands within tight timelines, complying to specifications, norms pertaining to food safety & Global ESG Requirements.
• Reducing write-off by maintaining strict pack change procedures and NPD, all work in conjunction with cross-functional teams
• Vendor identification & development, for Capital Equipment’s and materials other than RM/PM, with the help of Project/Technical team.
• Negotiation of co-manufacturing contracts, for all products manufactured with our 3rd Party Manufacturers.
• Lead Cross Functional Teams on Cost to Serve at Hershey India, since 2019, that consistently delivered a saving of $ 2 MN Year over year through various initiatives.
• Implemented SAP M/M Module – Hershey India & Perfetti Vanmelle India Private Limited
• Managed Production Planning/Outbound Logistics for finished Goods from time to time.

• Date of Birth: 06/10/79
• Marital Status: Married

Distinction in Business Acumen - Insead School of Business, Singapore