JOE CHERIAN
Doreen,Australia
Summary
Dynamic procurement professional with a proven track record in driving strategic sourcing initiatives, enhancing supplier negotiations, and implementing effective cost reduction strategies. Recognized for cultivating collaborative team environments and adapting swiftly to evolving business needs to deliver exceptional results. Expertise in category management, contract oversight, and building robust vendor relationships contributes to a reliable, results-oriented approach. Committed to achieving operational efficiency while maintaining a focus on continuous improvement and value creation.
Overview
14
14
years of professional experience
Work History
Procurement Lead – Maintenance, Engineering Services, Operations & Green Transport
EnergyAustralia Pty Ltd
06.2022 - Current
- Company Overview: EnergyAustralia (formerly TRUenergy) is an electricity generation, electricity and gas retailing private company in Australia, a wholly owned subsidiary of the Hong Kong-based and listed China Light and Power. EnergyAustralia has a portfolio of generating sites using thermal coal, natural gas, hydro-electric, solar energy, and wind power.
- Manage Maintenance, Repair, Engineering Services, Turbines, Balance of Plants, and Fuels commodity for all Electricity Generation sites.
- Lead procurement and contract negotiations in the green transport sector, including small-scale BESS projects and EV charger installations.
- Prepare Category Management Plans, Contracting and Sourcing Strategies and lead its implementation.
- Develop negotiation strategies and finalize complex and high value agreements.
- Lead contract management and monitor supplier performance against KPIs
- Support business with various change management process.
- Drive and implement localization, indigenous business participation and other social procurement initiatives.
- Implement Supplier Relationship and Risk Management (SRRM) framework with critical suppliers.
- Conduct audits and lead compliance upliftment of various suppliers to internal policies and legislations.
- Significant Achievement
- Cost reduction of $ 3.2 million dollars by introducing a new sub-contractor and leading and managing vendor transition (In and Out).
- Identified cost avoidance of $2 mil by introducing panel arrangement.
- Cost reduction of $ 14 million through competitive market engagement process.
- Implemented Enterprise-wide Tier 1 contracting strategy to mitigate supply chain risk and to improve competition
- Acting Procurement Leader
Procurement Leader (Secondment)
EnergyAustralia Pty Ltd
11.2024 - 03.2025
- Manage 60% (~600 million per year) percent of outsourced spend of EnergyAustralia
- Manage a team of 6 direct report comprising of Procurement Leads and Specialist.
- Lead procurement business planning process.
- Take part in project governance and assurance reviews
- Conduct audits and compliance uplift.
- Significant Achievement
- Delivered $110 million Outage and Maintenance program with zero deviation to schedule and cost.
Commercial Category Manager – Rolling Stock & Engineering Services
Yarra Trams – Keolis Downer Victoria Pty Ltd.
11.2020 - 06.2022
- Company Overview: Yarra Trams operates Melbourne's iconic tram network and responsible for the day-to-day operation of Melbourne's extensive tram network under a franchise agreement with the Victorian Government.
- Lead and manage procurements and contracts for $125 million Tram Life Extension project.
- Manage a team of two Category Advisor
- Liaise with Keolis global platforms to implement best in class global procurement practices
- Support negotiations of global framework agreements in place.
- Support transformation of Procurement and Contract Management function.
- Identify and manage commercial, contractual, operational, financial, and reputational supply chain risk.
- Lead and manage cross – functional working groups (Supply chain, Engineering, Maintenance, DoT) to achieve integration and consistency in procurement across the category
- Drive localization initiatives and revenue opportunities in rolling Stock projects and maintenance to achieve targets.
- Significant Achievements
- Achieved cost avoidance of $ 7 million through negotiations and delivery model optimization
Category Advisor – Rolling Stock & Operations, ICT and various categories
Yarra Trams – Keolis Downer Victoria Pty Ltd.
05.2017 - 11.2020
- Manage Maintenance, Repairs, Spares, Engineering Services and Operational (Fleets and Contingent Labor) commodity
- Worked in multiple categories (OCMS, Facilities management, Corporate Services and Indirect)
- Develop and implement category plans and sourcing strategies
- Lead Rfx (RFP, RFT, RFQ) events.
- Support various transformational activity with procurement and supply chain
- Lead negotiations on high impact, complex agreements to deliver better category outcome.
- Examine, analyse, evaluate, and prepare reports and business cases on commercial proposals for projects.
- Significant Achievements
- Saving of $ 1.1 million by product localization
- Cost Avoidance of $ 2.6 million by negotiating a tri-party agreement.
- Cost avoidance of $ 7 million by alternate sourcing.
- Successfully negotiated and extended 50 plus contracts as part of new Tram Operations Franchise.
Procurement Coordinator/ Contract Administrator
Ausnet Services
10.2016 - 04.2017
- Company Overview: Ausnet Services is Victoria’s largest energy delivery service business, owning and operating approximately $11 billion of electricity and gas distribution assets.
- Set up a contracts and purchase orders in ERP systems (SAP, ARIBA).
- Catalogue and price management.
- Oversee stakeholder performance to ensure timelines and quality.
Procurement Engineer
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
07.2011 - 06.2014
- Company Overview: It is an Indian multinational automobile company based out in Mumbai. It is one of the largest vehicle manufacturers by production in India and the largest seller of tractors across the world.
- Lead supplier selection and evaluation activity for assessing the systems and set up.
- Lead supplier risk assessment and reviewing and rationalising existing supplier.
- Lead post contract management and assessment of vendors for QCD targets
- Supply chain value enhancement by value analysis, value engineering (VA/VE) and sourcing strategies.
- Deliver continuous improvement activities to add productivity and cost benefits.
- Significant achievements
- Outstanding employee award for realising savings of $ 300,000 per year.
- Role of SC project manager for Mahindra Maxximo (mini truck) powertrain project
- Integrated material cost reduction (IMCR) and VA/VE activities as second highest contributor.
Education
Master of Engineering - Mechanical
The University of Melbourne
06.2016
Skills
- Software’s/Applications: SAP, Maximo, ARIBA, S4 Hanna, SharePoint, Minitab 16, SolidWorks, Microsoft office suits
- Supplier relationship management
- Supply chain optimization
- Strategic sourcing
- Global procurement
- Category management
Accomplishments
- Delivered $14M in cost savings on the Natural Draft Cooling Tower Refurbishment project by leading a competitive market engagement process, driving supplier competition and commercial value
- Achieved $3.2M cost reduction for Emergency Response Services at a power station by strategically onboarding a new subcontractor and managing a seamless vendor transition.
- Developed and executed an enterprise-wide Tier 1 contracting strategy, enhancing supply chain resilience and fostering market competitiveness across critical operations.
- Led procurement strategy for a Tram Life Extension Program, delivering commercial outcomes aligned with sponsor objectives and ensuring timely vendor engagement and contract execution.
- Championed social and local procurement by localising brake disc supply for trains, resulting in $4M savings, reduced lead times, and lower inventory costs.
Affiliations
- Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) training.
- Six Sigma Yellow Belt training
- CIPS training on Category Management.
- Member of Procurement Foundry.
Languages
Hindi
Professional Working
English
Full Professional
Malayalam
Native or Bilingual
Timeline
Procurement Leader (Secondment)
EnergyAustralia Pty Ltd
11.2024 - 03.2025
Procurement Lead – Maintenance, Engineering Services, Operations & Green Transport
EnergyAustralia Pty Ltd
06.2022 - Current
Commercial Category Manager – Rolling Stock & Engineering Services
Yarra Trams – Keolis Downer Victoria Pty Ltd.
11.2020 - 06.2022
Category Advisor – Rolling Stock & Operations, ICT and various categories
Yarra Trams – Keolis Downer Victoria Pty Ltd.
05.2017 - 11.2020
Procurement Coordinator/ Contract Administrator
Ausnet Services
10.2016 - 04.2017
Procurement Engineer
Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd.
07.2011 - 06.2014
Master of Engineering - Mechanical
The University of Melbourne