Head - External Manufacturing/Contract Manufacturing - FMCG

Roles & Responsibilities :

The External Supply Chain manager is responsible to manage the external sourced supply chain of all India based Contract manufacturing sites to ensure uninterrupted supply of all assigned SKUs. This role is responsible for commercial negotiations, developing and implementing sourcing strategies, managing 3P suppliers' relationships and performance and financial benchmarking and cost reduction initiatives. This person will act as a virtual plant managers and responsible any new product introduction, customer service, cost and compliance of 3P suppliers

Key responsibilities :

- Ensures uninterrupted supply of all assigned contract manufacturing SKUs through accurate forecasting, planning, scheduling, ordering and supplier coordination

- Works with CMO and partners to resolve the supply and quality issues

- Negotiates favorable supply arrangements and contracts to achieve supply security and cost advantage.

- Lead the project of 3P supplier's consolidation and tech transfer without any quality and customer service issues.

- Closely track the RM and PM stocks @ 3P locations and ensure no write off during product transitions

- Coordinate with KAMA Planning team and CMs to assure that production and shipment plans have been met.

- Monitor short- and long-term capacity at CMs and take initiatives to address potential hotspots in advance.

- Ensure that all projects at CMs, such as capacity expansion, machinery and facility improvements etc. are managed well without causing impact to service.

Contract Manufacturing improvements

a. Assess and validate CM capabilities, provide recommendations as necessary and align action plan with CMs / internal departments to address issues.

b. Together with CMs, identify improvement areas in supply chain processes, production and logistics that could potentially improve efficiencies and reduce cost.

Qualification of new CMs and New Product Commercialization

a. Identification of new CMs when required and be a leading member of team for qualification of new CMs

b. Support set up and startup of new manufacturing facilities, supply chain processes etc.

c. Coordinate all NPD activities related to CM area and ensure that launch timings are met.

Working Relationships:

- Report to: Supply Chain head (India)

- Supervise India SC CM Operations team Coordination : Local Product Supply team, Marketing team, RnD, KAMA planning team and Procurement team

Qualifications :

- Bachelor degree in applicable field (Supply Chain, Logistics, Engineering, Business or preferred), MBA or Graduate level SCM degree is preferred

- Min 8-10 years experience manufacturing environment, preferably in production/ planning/supply chain/procurement, of which minimum 5 years in managing third party contract manufacturers

- Experience in FMCG business is a plus

- Strong business acumen and proven leadership, interpersonal and people management skills

- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills and a proven track record in cost improvement. Lean / Six Sigma certification is an advantage.

- Project and change management experience are desirable

- Excellent communication skills with a strong command of spoken and written English