Lead Supply Chain Management (BESS Manufacturing)
Location: Valsad (Manufacturing Plant)
Experience: 1218 years (minimum 78 years in battery, EV, power electronics, or energy storage manufacturing)
Reporting to: BU Head - BESS
Role Objective
Lead the end-to-end supply chain for BESS manufacturing, with initial China-centric sourcing of critical components followed by a structured localization to Indian suppliers, ensuring uninterrupted production, competitive $/kWh costs, quality compliance, scalable operations and strategic partnerships.
Key Responsibilities
1. Manufacturing Supply Chain Strategy
- Build and own the cell-to-pack-to-container supply chain for BESS manufacturing.
- Define sourcing strategy for:
- Battery cells (LFP/NMC)
- BMS, racks, busbars, contactors
- PCS (if within manufacturing scope)
- Containers, HVAC, fire detection & suppression
- Electrical BOS and auxiliaries
- Establish China-first sourcing model during early scale-up, with clear dual-sourcing and localization roadmap.
2. China Sourcing & Global Supplier Management
- Manage relationships with Tier-1 Chinese OEMs for cells and key BESS components.
- Lead price negotiations, index-linked contracts, MOQs, and delivery schedules.
- Handle long lead times, export documentation, DG shipping requirements, and logistics coordination.
- Work effectively across time zones and cultural contexts to resolve supply, quality, and delivery escalations.
3. Localization & Supplier Transition
- Lead phased localization from China to India aligned with volume ramp-up and cost targets.
- Identify, qualify, and onboard Indian vendors for mechanical, electrical, and BOS components.
- Drive technology transfer, tooling readiness, and quality stabilization during localization.
- Maintain dual-source readiness to mitigate transition risks.
- Align localization efforts with PLI / Make-in-India objectives.
4. Production Planning & Material Readiness
- Align MRP and procurement plans with manufacturing capacity, takt time, and ramp-up curves.
- Ensure line-side availability of critical materials to avoid production downtime.
- Balance inventory levels considering cell aging, lead times, and working capital.
5. Costing, Commercials & VA/VE
- Own manufacturing BOM cost ($/kWh) at pack and container level.
- Lead supplier negotiations, rate contracts, and commercial terms.
- Drive structured VA/VE initiatives across BOM to reduce cost without compromising safety or compliance.
- Track impact of duties, freight, and logistics on landed cost.
6. Quality, Compliance & Supplier Governance
- Ensure compliance with UN38.3, IEC, UL, BIS, AIS, and other applicable standards.
- Lead supplier qualification, audits, PPAP/FAT in coordination with QA and Engineering.
- Own supplier scorecards (OTIF, quality, cost, responsiveness).
7. Team Leadership
- Lead and mentor SCM Managers Core Components and BOS/Logistics.
- Establish SOPs, escalation frameworks, and performance KPIs.
Ideal Candidate Profile
- Strong exposure to China-based sourcing followed by localization
- Deep understanding of BESS manufacturing BOM and production support
- Commercially strong, execution-focused, and comfortable in scale-up environments
