Material planning Lead - Supply chain

About the Opportunity

Tata Electronics is building India's first AI-enabled, state-of-the-art Semiconductor Foundry and is seeking an experienced Manager – Material Planning & Inventory Optimization to lead material planning, inventory optimization, digital transformation, and supply assurance initiatives.

This leadership role is responsible for ensuring uninterrupted material availability, optimizing inventory, mitigating supply risks, driving planning automation, and leading cross-functional collaboration to support high-volume semiconductor manufacturing operations.

Key Responsibilities

Material Planning & Supply Assurance

• Ensure material availability aligned with production schedules and customer demand.
• Convert demand forecasts and production plans into material requirements and replenishment plans.
• Proactively identify and resolve material shortages and supply constraints.
• Maintain planning master data, planning parameters, and SAP/ERP data integrity.

Inventory Optimization

• Optimize inventory while balancing customer service, cost, and working capital objectives.
• Reduce excess, obsolete, and slow-moving inventory.
• Improve inventory accuracy and strengthen inventory control policies.
• Drive continuous inventory optimization initiatives across the organization.

Supply Risk Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks through:
• Alternate sourcing strategies
• Safety stock planning
• Supplier localization
• Business continuity planning
• Lead shortage recovery initiatives and contingency planning.
• Monitor supplier performance, capacity constraints, and supply risks.

Digitalization & Process Excellence

• Drive automation, standardization, and process improvement initiatives across planning functions.
• Implement digital solutions using:
• SAP ERP
• Power BI
• Power Apps
• Power Automate
• Planning analytics tools
• Develop real-time dashboards and predictive planning models.
• Support AI-enabled planning insights and system enhancements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Procurement, Manufacturing, Engineering, Quality, Logistics, and Finance teams.
• Support New Product Introduction (NPI), engineering changes, localization initiatives, and S&OP processes.
• Ensure effective communication with suppliers and internal stakeholders.

Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop Material Planners and Inventory Specialists.
• Drive performance management, capability development, and succession planning.
• Foster a culture of operational excellence and continuous improvement.
• Serve as the escalation point for critical supply chain issues.

Strategic Supply Chain Governance

• Own material planning governance and KPI management.
• Support budgeting, capacity planning, inventory strategy, and working capital optimization.
• Present executive reviews on inventory health, material readiness, and supply risks.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering.

Experience Required

• 12–15 years of experience in Material Planning, Supply Chain, or Inventory Management within manufacturing.
• Minimum 5 years of managerial leadership experience.
• Experience in Automotive, Semiconductor, Industrial Manufacturing, Precision Engineering, or similar industries preferred.
• Strong experience with inventory optimization and planning systems.

Technical Skills

• Material Planning
• Supply Planning
• Inventory Optimization
• SAP ERP
• Blue Yonder or equivalent Planning Tools
• Power BI
• Power Apps
• Power Automate
• Planning Analytics
• Supply Risk Management
• S&OP
• KPI Management
• Working Capital Optimization
• Data Analytics & Dashboard Development

Preferred Skills

• AI-enabled Supply Chain Planning
• Predictive Analytics
• Process Automation
• Cross-functional Leadership
• Executive Stakeholder Management
• Business Continuity Planning
• Supplier Performance Management

Key Competencies

• Strategic thinking and execution excellence
• Strong analytical and decision-making abilities
• Leadership and people development
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management
• Continuous improvement mindset
• Digital transformation expertise
• Ability to manage complex supply chain operations in a fast-paced manufacturing environment

Additional Requirements

• 5+ years of experience in Inventory Optimization
• 6+ years of hands-on experience with SAP ERP