Increff Procurement Executive Interview: Rounds, Questions and Preparation

What the job involves

A Procurement Executive in logistics and supply chain buys goods and services needed for warehouse operations, transportation, and inventory management. Day to day, they source suppliers, negotiate prices and terms, raise purchase orders, track deliveries, and resolve supply issues to keep costs low and operations running smoothly. At fast-growing companies like Increff, they often work closely with operations, finance, and vendors to ensure timely procurement of packaging materials, IT hardware, and logistics services.

Role and Technical Knowledge

1. 1

   What are the key steps in a procurement cycle from requisition to payment?

   Mention need identification, requisition, vendor selection, purchase order, delivery, inspection, invoice matching, and payment. Show understanding of each step's importance.

2. 2

   How do you evaluate and select a new supplier for warehouse packaging materials?

   Cover criteria like price, quality, delivery time, reliability, payment terms, and past performance. Mention requesting samples and checking references.

3. 3

   Explain Incoterms and give an example of how they affect cost and risk in logistics procurement.

   Define Incoterms as standard trade terms. Give an example like FOB or CIF and explain who bears cost and risk at each stage.

4. 4

   What is the difference between a purchase order and an invoice, and why is three-way matching important?

   Purchase order is a buyer's commitment; invoice is a seller's bill. Three-way matching (PO, goods receipt, invoice) prevents errors and fraud.

Practical Scenarios

1. 5

   A critical supplier fails to deliver packaging materials on time, risking warehouse operations. What do you do?

   Show quick action: contact supplier for status, find alternative sources, inform operations, and escalate if needed. Mention learning for future contracts.

2. 6

   You need to reduce procurement costs by 10 percent without compromising quality. How would you approach this?

   Suggest negotiating bulk discounts, consolidating vendors, exploring alternative materials, and analyzing total cost of ownership, not just unit price.

3. 7

   How would you handle a situation where a vendor demands a price increase due to raw material inflation?

   Ask for justification, explore long-term contracts, negotiate phased increases, or find alternative vendors. Show empathy and data-driven negotiation.

4. 8

   You notice a discrepancy between the purchase order quantity and the actual delivered quantity. What steps do you take?

   Verify with goods receipt, contact vendor, document the issue, and adjust payment or return excess. Emphasize accuracy and communication.

Behavioural and Situational Questions

1. 9

   Tell me about a time you had to persuade someone to see things your way. How did you do it?

   Use STAR method. Highlight listening, presenting data, and finding mutual benefits. Relate to negotiation or vendor discussions.

2. 10

   Describe a situation where you had to work under pressure or meet a tight deadline.

   Show prioritization, time management, and staying calm. Example: arranging urgent procurement for a peak season.

3. 11

   How do you handle criticism or feedback from a senior or client?

   Demonstrate openness, asking for specifics, and implementing changes. Mention a learning experience.

4. 12

   Give an example of a time you worked in a team to achieve a common goal.

   Focus on collaboration, your role, and the outcome. Link to cross-functional work with operations or finance.

HR and Company Fit

1. 13

   Why do you want to work in procurement in the logistics and supply chain sector?

   Show passion for optimizing costs and efficiency, and awareness of the sector's growth in India. Mention interest in fast-paced environments.

2. 14

   What do you know about our company and how does this role fit into it?

   Research the company's business model, recent news, and how procurement supports their operations. Avoid claiming specific internal details.

3. 15

   Where do you see yourself in five years in this role?

   Show ambition to grow into senior procurement or supply chain management, with a focus on gaining expertise and contributing to the company.

4. 16

   What are your salary expectations for this role?

   Give a realistic range based on market research for freshers in India. Express flexibility and focus on learning and growth.