Specialist - Strategic Sourcing

About the role

Freshworks is looking for a Specialist in Strategic Sourcing to join their growing team in Bengaluru. This role sits at the heart of procurement and vendor management, focusing on identifying, evaluating, and managing suppliers that support the company's day-to-day operations and long-term growth ambitions. The Specialist will work closely with cross-functional teams across the organization to ensure that every procurement decision aligns with broader business objectives and cost efficiency targets, and you will take direct ownership of sourcing strategies and supplier relationships that help Freshworks maintain its competitive position in the software and customer engagement market. As a key contributor to the procurement function, you will help shape how Freshworks sources the goods and services it needs to serve customers worldwide.

Key facts

What you'll do

Evaluate potential vendors and suppliers for goods and services needed across multiple departments within the organization

Develop and maintain a qualified pipeline of sourcing partners for long-term strategic engagement and collaboration

Negotiate pricing terms and contractual agreements with selected suppliers and vendors to secure favorable conditions

Analyze market trends and supplier performance data to inform procurement decisions and drive cost savings

Collaborate with internal stakeholders to understand their purchasing needs, timelines, and specific requirements for each project

Prepare detailed sourcing reports and presentations for leadership review, including recommendations and risk assessments

Monitor supplier contracts to ensure compliance with all agreed terms, conditions, and service level expectations

Support the procurement team in streamlining purchasing processes and reducing overall procurement cycle times across the board

Conduct regular reviews of existing supplier relationships to identify performance gaps and areas for improvement

Coordinate with finance and legal teams during contract finalization, amendment, and renewal stages to ensure accuracy

Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all sourcing activities, vendor assessments, and procurement outcomes for audit purposes

Contribute to the development of sourcing policies and best practices that improve efficiency and transparency across the organization

Partner with the finance team to forecast procurement spend and support annual budgeting exercises

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in business administration, supply chain management, or a related field from a recognized university

Proven experience in procurement, sourcing, or vendor management within a corporate or enterprise environment

Strong understanding of sourcing methodologies, supplier evaluation frameworks, and category management principles

Demonstrated ability to analyze complex data sets and produce clear, actionable procurement reports for decision-makers

Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the capacity to engage effectively across all organizational levels

Demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent sourcing projects and consistently deliver results within established timelines

Prior familiarity with ERP systems or procurement software platforms is a practical expectation for this role

Willingness to travel occasionally for supplier meetings, industry events, and on-site vendor assessments as needed

Comfort with a fast-paced work environment and the ability to adapt to shifting business priorities

Nice to have

Prior experience working in a SaaS or technology company environment is highly valued

Working knowledge of global sourcing practices and international supplier management procedures

Professional certification in procurement or supply chain management such as CPSM or CIPS

Hands-on prior experience with strategic cost reduction initiatives or category management projects

A solid understanding of sustainability and ethical sourcing principles applied in procurement decisions

Skills & tools

Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel for data analysis, spend categorization, and reporting purposes

Hands-on experience with procurement platforms such as SAP Ariba or Coupa is beneficial

Practical familiarity with contract management and vendor scorecard tracking tools and systems

Strong analytical thinking with the ability to interpret complex spend data and derive insights

A good understanding of commercial contract terms, negotiation techniques, and procurement best practices

Ability to build and maintain productive relationships with both internal teams and external partners

Practical notes

This is a full-time position based in the Bengaluru office of Freshworks

The role reports directly to the procurement or sourcing manager within the organization

Candidates should be prepared to work standard business hours with occasional flexibility for urgent matters

Freshworks values candidates who demonstrate integrity, collaboration, and a consistent results-driven approach to work

The hiring process includes multiple rounds of interviews with members of the procurement and HR teams

About the company

Freshworks provides business software for customer support, IT service management, CRM, and marketing automation. Founded by Girish Mathrubootham and Shan Krishnasamy in Chennai, India in 2010, Freshworks went public on NASDAQ in September 2021.