Head – Supply Chain Management

Location: Ahmedabad

Reporting To: Director – Operations & Engineering

Job Summary

We are seeking an experienced Head – Supply Chain Management to lead end-to-end supply chain operations, including procurement, sourcing, inventory management, logistics, supplier development, and strategic planning. The role is responsible for developing and executing supply chain strategies that maximize customer satisfaction through superior quality, on-time delivery, optimized inventory, and cost-effective operations while supporting the organization's long-term business growth.

The successful candidate will lead cross-functional teams, drive supplier excellence, implement continuous improvement initiatives, and ensure seamless execution across the entire supply chain lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Supply Chain Strategy & Leadership

• Develop and implement short-term and long-term supply chain strategies aligned with business objectives.
• Lead Procurement, Purchasing, Inventory Management, Logistics, and Supplier Development functions.
• Build, mentor, and develop a high-performing Supply Chain Management team through coaching and continuous learning.
• Drive operational excellence, process standardization, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate with global sourcing teams to align commodity strategies and procurement objectives.

Procurement & Strategic Sourcing

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives across multiple commodities.
• Manage supplier selection, qualification, RFQ/RFP processes, commercial negotiations, and contract management.
• Develop sourcing strategies for core and non-core commodities.
• Negotiate favorable commercial terms while building long-term supplier partnerships.
• Drive annual material productivity and procurement cost reduction initiatives.

Supplier Relationship & Performance Management

• Develop strategic supplier relationships to improve quality, cost, delivery, and innovation.
• Conduct supplier capacity reviews and weekly open order reviews.
• Monitor supplier performance using key metrics including On-Time Delivery (OTD), Quality, Cost, and Responsiveness.
• Drive supplier consolidation, alternate supplier development, and Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs.
• Lead Root Cause Corrective Action (RCCA) initiatives for supplier quality issues.

Inventory & Materials Management

• Develop inventory strategies to optimize working capital while ensuring uninterrupted production.
• Drive inventory reduction initiatives and improve inventory turnover.
• Implement inventory management methodologies including Kanban, Min-Max Planning, ABC Analysis, and Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI).
• Maintain optimal inventory levels through effective demand planning and replenishment strategies.

Logistics & Supply Chain Operations

• Oversee inbound and outbound logistics operations.
• Manage import and export logistics, customs compliance, freight forwarding, and transportation planning.
• Ensure timely procurement, expediting, and material availability to support production schedules.
• Optimize logistics costs while maintaining service excellence.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Support Engineering and Sales teams during customer bidding and proposal activities by providing procurement inputs and supplier quotations.
• Participate in new product development activities by providing sourcing, availability, and cost insights.
• Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Finance, Quality, and Operations teams to ensure seamless supply chain execution.
• Align supply chain initiatives with overall business strategy and growth objectives.

Planning, Analytics & Reporting

• Develop commodity pricing intelligence and market analysis tools.
• Prepare daily, weekly, and monthly MIS reports covering procurement, inventory, logistics, quality, delivery, and cost performance.
• Support Annual Operating Plans (AOP), strategic planning, and budgeting activities.
• Utilize planning tools such as SIOP (Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning) and Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) to improve supply chain performance.

Continuous Improvement

• Foster Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, and Continuous Improvement culture throughout the supply chain organization.
• Drive operational excellence through process optimization and best practices.
• Improve procurement efficiency, supplier performance, inventory utilization, and logistics effectiveness.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Additional certifications in Procurement, Materials Management, or Supply Chain Management will be an advantage.

Experience

• 15–18 years of progressive experience in Supply Chain Management, Procurement, Purchasing, Logistics, and Inventory Management.
• Experience leading large procurement and supply chain teams in manufacturing environments.
• Strong exposure to strategic sourcing, supplier development, inventory optimization, and logistics management.
• Experience working with SAP ERP is preferred.

Key Skills

• Supply Chain Management
• Strategic Sourcing
• Procurement Management
• Global Sourcing
• Supplier Relationship Management
• Vendor Development
• RFQ / RFP Management
• Contract Negotiation
• Commercial Management
• Commodity Management
• Cost Reduction & Cost Optimization
• Inventory Management
• Inventory Optimization
• Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI)
• Sales, Inventory & Operations Planning (SIOP)
• Logistics Management
• Import & Export Operations
• Supplier Performance Management
• Supplier Capacity Planning
• Demand Planning
• Material Planning
• Supply Chain Analytics
• Market Intelligence
• Budgeting & Financial Planning
• Lean Manufacturing
• Kaizen
• Continuous Improvement
• Project Management
• SAP ERP
• MIS Reporting
• Cross-functional Collaboration
• Team Leadership

Preferred Certifications

• Professional certifications in Materials Management, Supply Chain Management, or Procurement will be an advantage, as indicated by the employer.

Preferred Competencies

• Strong leadership and people management capabilities.
• Excellent commercial negotiation and supplier management skills.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Deep understanding of manufacturing supply chains and commodity markets.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Sound knowledge of financial planning, budgeting, and accounting practices related to supply chain operations.
• Ability to lead organizational transformation and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Results-oriented with a strong focus on operational excellence, customer satisfaction, and business growth.