Group Manager-Operational Procurement, Thiruvananthapuram

Group Manager- Operational Procurement We are seeking a seasoned professional to join our team as the India Procurement Lead for Professional Services within an IT/ITES organization. This role focuses on managing procurement activities across non-IT professional services categories, ensuring compliance, cost optimization, and strategic alignment with organizational goals.Key Responsibilities Develop and execute procurement strategies for Professional Services categories, ensuring alignment with global standards and market best practices. Drive cost-saving initiatives, conduct spend analysis, and benchmark procurement practices to identify improvement opportunities.Lead vendor management, contract negotiations, and stakeholder collaboration to deliver value-driven outcomes. Ensure adherence to procurement governance frameworks and provide support for audits and compliance. Oversee procurement operations, including PR/PO and contract management, while preparing detailed reports for performance tracking.Qualifications&Experience Bachelor's degree in business administration, Supply Chain Management, or related field (MBA preferred). 12–15 years of relevant experience, including 3+ years in a senior procurement role within the IT/ITES industry. Expertise in Professional Services procurement (e.g., CREM, Finance, Tax, Legal, HR, ESG) with strong knowledge of local taxation.Proven skills in category management, cost optimization, stakeholder engagement, and vendor relationship management. Professional certifications (CIPS, CPSM) are a plus. Key Competencies Advanced procurement domain knowledge and strategic orientation. Strong analytical, negotiation, and leadership skills.Ability to manage cross-functional teams and thrive in a dynamic environment. 98533 | Procurement | Management | Non-Executive | Allianz Services | Full-Time | Permanent Allianz Group is one of the most trusted insurance and asset management companies in the world. Caring for our employees, their ambitions, dreams and challenges, is what makes us a unique employer. Together we can build an environment where everyone feels empowered and has the confidence to explore, to grow and to shape a better future for our customers and the world around us.At Allianz, we stand for unity: we believe that a united world is a more prosperous world, and we are dedicated to consistently advocating for equal opportunities for all. And the foundation for this is our inclusive workplace, where people and performance both matter, and nurtures a culture grounded in integrity, fairness, inclusion and trust.We therefore welcome applications regardless of ethnicity or cultural background, age, gender, nationality, religion, social class, disability or sexual orientation, or any other characteristics protected under applicable local laws and regulations. Join us. Let's care for tomorrow. Note: Having different strengths, experiences, perspectives and approaches is an integral part of Allianz' company culture. One means to achieve this is a regular rotation of Allianz Executive employees across functions, Allianz entities and geographies. Therefore, the company expects from its employees a general openness and a high motivation to regularly change positions and collect experiences across Allianz Group.