Seema Gaikwad, Senior General Manager, Reliance Industries Limited.

With 30 years of experience, what inspired you to pursue a career in strategic sourcing and supply chain management?

I began my career as a Management Trainee at Indian Petrochemical Corporation Limited (IPCL) in 1994. Following the company being acquired by Reliance Industries Limited, I transitioned seamlessly into the new organisation and continued to grow within a much larger corporate setup. I spent 14 years leading maintenance teams for QC lab instruments and MEG plant instrumentation. During this period, I managed shutdowns, oversaw reliability improvements, and addressed obsolescence issues.

In 2008, I transitioned to the procurement department. My experience in instrument maintenance taught me the importance of reliable, functional, and timely-sourced components. Working closely with vendors and suppliers, I gained a deeper understanding of how effective sourcing and supply chain management help reduce downtime and optimise costs. This insight, combined with my desire to address broader operational challenges such as resource management, lead-time reduction, and supplier relationship improvement, sparked my interest in strategic sourcing.

With 30 years of experience across maintenance and procurement, I am eager to further enhance my expertise in strategic sourcing and supply chain management.

As a Senior General Manager at Reliance Industries Limited, how do you balance managing procurement for 15 manufacturing sites while fostering a culture of innovation and excellence?

In my current role, I manage procurement for 15 manufacturing sites with a team of 25 professionals, aligning strategies with organisational goals such as sustainability and digital transformation.

Focusing on strategic sourcing and long-term supplier partnerships, I foster innovation through collaboration. By One Team approach (a core value of Reliance) I leverage diverse expertise to generate new ideas. I ensure critical and shutdown requirements are met by prioritising tasks, delegating effectively, and collaborating with site teams.

I drive innovation by focusing on alternate vendor development, obsolescence management, using customised in-house apps for cost modelling and estimation. Procurement technologies like e-procurement and data analytics streamline processes, enhancing decision-making and continuous improvement. I also prioritise risk management by diversifying our supplier base to ensure resilience in the supply chain. These efforts, combined with a focus on collaboration and innovation contribute to the enhancement of procurement and broader organisational success.

You’ve played a pivotal role in developing and executing procurement strategies for high-complexity sites. Could you share an example of a particularly challenging project and how you successfully managed it?

I was entrusted with a challenging project to develop and implement procurement strategies for high-complexity sites, with a key focus on securing long-term agreements with strategic vendors in the Electrical and Instrumentation category.

By utilising data analytics, I strategically identified the most suitable vendors and materials, optimising supplier selection process to meet business needs. I fostered strong collaboration with these vendors, reducing transaction intensity and streamlining procurement operations. Through a systematic approach to price formulation based on a consistent price matrix and pre-agreed price lists, I ensured price stability over the contract period. All terms and conditions were finalised in advance, reducing risks and ensuring smooth contract execution.

Consolidating orders instead of using fragmented purchasing practices helped improve resource utilisation and achieve cost savings. Additionally, by addressing material specification corrections upfront, I ensured adherence to high-quality standards and prevented rejections. I successfully executed this project, ensuring both efficiency and cost-effectiveness through strategic planning and collaboration.

Strategic supplier relationships are critical in your field. What strategies have you employed to build partnerships that ensure reliability, quality, and cost-efficiency?

To build strategic supplier relationships that ensure reliability, quality, and cost-efficiency in engineering revenue procurement, I focus on several key strategies such as:

Building Reliability: Foster long-term partnerships by maintaining open communication and aligning on mutual goals and timelines, ensuring consistent performance from both sides.

Ensuring Quality: Define clear quality standards and performance metrics with suppliers, proactively addressing challenges to ensure high-quality outcomes.

Driving Cost-efficiency: By consolidating orders, negotiating long-term agreements, and streamlining processes, I secure competitive pricing while maintaining quality. I also collaborate with suppliers to identify cost-saving opportunities.

Leveraging Technology for Transparency: Use shared digital platforms to enable real-time data exchange and visibility, fostering collaboration and ensuring reliability, quality, and cost transparency.

These strategies help build strong, sustainable partnerships that align with long-term objectives.

Your efforts have resulted in significant cost savings and operational stability. Could you elaborate on the innovative approaches or best practices you’ve implemented to achieve these results?

To achieve significant cost savings and operational stability, I have implemented several innovative approaches such as:

E-procurement Platforms: Automated tasks to reduce costs and human errors, which increased overall efficiency in the procurement process.

Data-driven Procurement: Leveraged spend analytics to optimise planning, identify cost-saving opportunities, and develop liquidation strategies.

Supplier Consolidation: Consolidated purchases with fewer suppliers, leveraging economies of scale to negotiate better pricing, discounts, and payment terms.

Development of Alternate Vendors: Introduced alternative vendors to foster competition, ensuring supply continuity while driving additional cost savings.

Shutdown Management: Through advanced planning and timely coordination with sites, ensured smooth operations during shutdowns, minimising disruptions.

Collaboration: Partnered with internal teams to manage obsolescence and uncover new cost-saving opportunities.

Supplier Scorecards: Regularly evaluated supplier performance to strengthen relationships, track key metrics, and mitigate risks.

These strategies collectively contributed to significant cost savings and enhanced operational stability.

Building high-performance teams is key to success. How do you mentor and lead your team to adapt to the dynamic demands of procurement and contracts?

To mentor and lead a procurement team in adapting to dynamic demands, I focus on several key strategies:

Encourage Growth Mindset: I promote continuous learning, empower problem-solving, and embrace both successes and failures to build resilience.

Develop Strong Communication: I ensure open, transparent communication and regular check-ins to align the team with evolving goals and challenges.

Foster Agility: I foster agility by promoting agile practices through regular site visits, product training, and vendor visits, ensuring the team stays adaptable, understands evolving processes, and explores new market innovations.

Set Clear Vision and Goals: I establish clear expectations and align procurement strategy with business needs using SMART goals for progress tracking.

Provide Resources: I invest in technology and use data-driven decisions to optimise efficiency.

Empower Ownership: I delegate responsibilities and nurture future leaders, building autonomy and growth.

These strategies ensure the team remains resilient, motivated, and successful in a rapidly changing environment.

With your expertise in procurement for critical materials, what trends do you foresee shaping the future of supply chain management in manufacturing?

The future of supply chain management in manufacturing will be shaped by the following trends:

Digital Transformation: AI, Machine Learning, and IoT enhance demand forecasting, inventory management, and real-time decision-making.

Supply Chain Resilience: Diversifying supplier base and increasing visibility with technologies such as Blockchain and IoT aids in risk management.

Sustainability: Manufacturers are adopting sustainable sourcing, circular economy models, and reducing carbon footprints.

Collaboration: Platform-based ecosystems and stronger partnerships optimise supply chain coordination.

3D Printing: On-demand production and customisation helps reduce inventory and enhance flexibility.

Talent Development: Continuously upskilling and reskilling team members to keep pace with the latest advancements in procurement practices, systems, and technology.

Adapting to these trends will help to drive efficiency, innovation, and resilience in an ever-evolving market.

What advice would you give to young professionals aspiring to excel in procurement and strategic sourcing?

For young professionals aspiring to excel in procurement and strategic sourcing, my advice is as follows.

Build Strong Fundamentals: Master procurement principles, cost management, and strategic sourcing.

Develop Deep Product knowledge: Gaining in-depth understanding of products being sourced enables informed and effective decision-making throughout the procurement process.

Develop Your Negotiation Skills: Focus on negotiation techniques and learn to utilise leverage for win-win outcomes.

Cultivate Supplier Relationships: Build long-term partnerships based on trust and performance.

Foster Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with other departments to align procurement with business goals.

Focus on Sustainability: Incorporate sustainable sourcing and ethical practices into decisions.

Focus on Continuous Improvement & Learning 360: Stay up-to-date with the latest advancements in procurement practices, systems, and technology, while also enhancing emotional intelligence and problem-solving skills.

By focusing on these areas, you can build a strong foundation for a successful procurement career.

What is your opinion on the role of Industrial Automation magazine in showcasing industry trends and empowering women in technology and automation?

Industrial Automation magazine plays a crucial role in both showcasing industry trends and empowering women in technology and automation. The magazine keeps industry professionals informed about the latest innovations, trends, and technologies, helping businesses stay competitive in a rapidly evolving field. By providing insights on automation, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation, it fosters a better understanding of the future of industrial operations.

Additionally, the magazine contributes to the empowerment of women in the field by spotlighting the achievements of successful female leaders, innovators, and experts in automation and technology. By showcasing their stories and successes, it helps inspire and motivate the next generation of women professionals, promoting diversity and inclusion in an industry traditionally dominated by men. These efforts not only break barriers but also encourage greater representation and opportunities for women in high-tech fields.

What are the three words that best describe how it feels to be a finalist in the Women in Tech 2025 competition?

Empowering. Motivating. Grateful.

(The views expressed in this interview are personal, not necessarily of the organisation represented)

In her own words: I am Seema Gaikwad, holding a Bachelor's degree in B.E Instrumentation from COEP, Pune. With over 30 years of experience at Reliance Industries Limited, I currently hold the position of Senior General Manager (Procurement & Contracts). I lead a dynamic team focused on Instrumentation MRO Procurement for manufacturing sites. Throughout my career, I have developed expertise in procurement strategy, vendor management, and supply chain optimization. I believe in hard work, systematic planning, strategic thinking, and delivering result-oriented solutions. Outside of work, I enjoy music, exploring natural landscapes, and traveling to serene, scenic destinations.