Vikram Matani

About Vikram Matani

I’ve spent more than a decade building and leading nutraceutical supply chains — and here’s the truth: procurement isn’t a back-office task. It’s where margin is protected, risk is managed, and competitive advantage is created.I manage a $100M+ global sourcing portfolio across aminos, proteins, botanicals, vitamins, sweeteners, specialty ingredients, and packaging. I don’t just “buy.”I build sourcing systems that keep manufacturing running and fuel commercial growth.What I deliver• $5M+ in cost savings/avoidance through negotiation, blankets, tariff moves, and timing the market.• Stability in volatile categories (creatine, collagen, acidulants, key aminos) via multi-year programs & supplier tiering.• 15–30% faster lead times by resetting allocation strategy and aligning forecasts with the right partners.• Accountability that sticks — OTIF, scorecards, SLAs, QBRs.• Cross-functional flow across PD, Ops, Quality, Finance & Supply Chain.How I leadI operate with a Director mindset — strategic, calm under pressure, data-driven, and deeply cross-functional. I negotiate with intention, move fast, and hold suppliers to a high standard without breaking partnership.I don’t just manage categories — I engineer predictability and resilience in markets built on volatility.What sets me apartProcurement isn’t transactional to me. It’s a strategic engine that shapes cost structure, service levels, innovation runway, and long-term growth. Where others see vendors, I see leverage and opportunity.ConsultingAlongside my full-time role, I provide expert consultation to investors, brands, and networks (AlphaSights, Dialectica, Tridge, Guidepoint).Focus areas: ingredient market intelligence, supplier strategy, cost architecture, tariff & risk mitigation, manufacturing readiness, and packaging strategy.Whether it’s a 30–60 min expert call or deeper advisory, I deliver insights with ROI — not buzzwords.Let’s connect If you’re in nutraceuticals, sports nutrition, wellness, packaging, or CPG and want to talk supplier strategy, cost optimization, or market shifts — I’m always open to a conversation.

Experience

1. Category Manager

   Catalyst Nutraceuticals

   Jan 2025 — Present · Buford, GA, US

   As Category Manager for Raw Materials & Packaging, I lead sourcing strategy for a diverse, fast-moving portfolio that supports capsules, tablets, powders, and ready-to-mix products. My work blends cost leadership, supplier partnership, and operational alignment to keep production running smoothly while protecting margins and improving affordability.What I Do • Manage a $100M+ direct materials portfolio across amino acids, proteins, botanicals, vitamins, sweeteners, and packaging components. • Build and maintain strategic supplier partnerships that support reliability, speed, and long-term affordability. • Lead negotiations, contracts, and pricing strategies to stabilize volatile categories and secure the best total value. • Work closely with Product Development, Quality, Operations, Planning, and Finance to align sourcing decisions with real manufacturing needs. • Improve supplier accountability through OTIF metrics, scorecards, documentation expectations, and regular business reviews.What I’ve Achieved • Delivered $2M+ in combined cost savings and cost avoidance through strategic negotiations, blanket programs, tariff strategies, and smarter sourcing. • Reduced lead times by 15–30% by optimizing supplier allocation and communication. • Secured pricing stability for high-volatility ingredients (creatine, collagen, folic acid, key aminos). • Strengthened cross-functional processes, improving clarity for PD, Quality, and Procurement during product launches and scale-up. • Reinforced risk management by expanding multi-source options and developing contingency pathways for critical ingredients.

Education

• DeVry University

  Bachelor of Business Administration (B.B.A.), Project Management

  2002 — 2005

• Southern New Hampshire University

  Master of Business Administration - MBA, International/Global Studies

  2016 — 2018

Skills

• Supply Chain Management
• Hospitality
• Strategic Sourcing
• Powerpoint
• Microsoft Excel
• Planning
• Business Process Improvement
• Team Management
• Retail
• Multi-Unit
• Inventory Management
• P&L
• Exceptional Research Skills
• Sap Erp
• Purchasing
• Process Improvement
• Cross-Functional Team Leadership
• Microsoft Office
• Sales
• Project Management
• Food & Beverage
• Ingredients Procurement
• Customer Service
• Report Development
• Leadership
• Procurement
• Social Media
• Operations Coordination
• Restaurant Management
• Accounting
• Team Building
• Management
• Business Strategy
• Training
• Microsoft Word
• Oracle Database
• Operations Management
• Training Management
• Time Management