Context & Strategic Importance
I owned the end-to-end strategic sourcing and supplier governance for the Managed Print Services (MPS) category across Ola’s entire footprint—including Corporate HQ, the Futurefactory, the Gigafactory, and regional outlets.
MPS was a high-volume OPEX category with critical cost and sustainability implications. My mandate was to reduce Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), embed responsible sourcing principles, and ensure uninterrupted operations during a period of rapid scale-up.
Scope of Ownership
Hardware & Service
- Enterprise MFDs (Printers, Copiers, Scanners)
- Cost-per-page (CPP) contracts
- Consumables & Spare Parts Lifecycle
- Preventive & Breakdown Maintenance
Governance & Commercials
- SLA Definition, Enforcement & Penalties
- Monthly Billing Governance
- Device Deployment & Decommissioning
- Consumption Control & Waste Reduction
Strategic Sourcing Strategy
Data-Led Diagnosis
Identified legacy inefficiencies: unbenchmarked contracts, oversized/underutilized devices, and weak SLAs. Confirmed MPS as a strategic sourcing opportunity rather than a tactical renegotiation.
Structured RFx & Proof of Concept
Executed a pan-India RFx followed by a rigorous Proof of Concept (PoC) phase to de-risk supplier selection.
Tier-1 OEM Ecosystem
Evaluated and managed global OEMs including Xerox, Ricoh, HP, Canon, and Brother, engaging them either directly or via certified partners based on site criticality.
Responsible Sourcing & ESG
Sustainability was a core decision criterion, not an afterthought. I implemented initiatives to drive behavioral change and align MPS with Ola's corporate responsibility goals.
Consumption Governance
Role-based access controls and employee-level print monitoring via governance software.
Waste Reduction
Secure pull-printing to eliminate abandoned jobs; Default duplex & grayscale settings.
Circular Economy
Mandated OEM cartridge and hardware take-back programs.
Energy Efficiency
Transitioned fleet to Energy Star–certified devices.
Cross-Functional Leadership
Acted as the single point of ownership, coordinating between:
- IT Team Network security & software compatibility
- Facilities Site readiness & device placement
- Finance Budgeting, savings validation & invoice control
- Legal MSA, SLA penalties, and exit clauses
Buyer Value Proposition
"This project demonstrates my ability to operate as a strategic Buyer, owning high-impact, multi-site categories end-to-end. I combine data-driven sourcing with strong commercial negotiation and ESG alignment."