Supplier Manager - Transmission

Role: Supplier Manager-Transmission
Location: IBC Knowledge Park, Bengaluru                                                                                         

Reporting To: Lead - Transmission                                                                                                                                                                              

Team Name: Supply Chain Operations team

About the Team and the Role

The Supply Chain Operations team at Ather is responsible for designing and executing sourcing strategies for built-to-spec commodities, ensuring robust supplier selection, and managing end-to-end supply chain risks. The team focuses on cost optimization through should-cost modeling, capacity planning, and maintaining high-quality standards through rigorous audits and process validation.

This role is for a Supplier Manager - Transmission who will lead the sourcing strategies for the built to spec commodity, both short and long term plans. You will be responsible for identifying potential suppliers, negotiating contracts, and managing supplier performance to meet program cost, quality, and timeline targets.

Responsibilities:-

• Be resident supplier manager to design and execute sourcing strategies for the built to spec commodity, both short and long term plans.

• Identify the new potential suppliers as per the drawing requirements, statement of requirements, latest technology trends and shifts, competition risks etc. .

• Assess supply chain risks and ensure having mitigation strategies in place.

• Drive and Monitor Entire lifecycle of suppliers starting from selection processes for new suppliers (identification of potential suppliers base, audits, assessments),  contracting (on Boarding to Exit) and techno commercial qualification including the validation of processes.

• Involve in the initial technical review meetings with potential suppliers along with the engineering team. 

• Collaborate with the engineering team, finance to understand the target cost setting through should-cost reports, and identify levers to bridge the gaps between Target cost and quotes. Establish cost reduction levers through engineering and negotiation.

• Identify and establish Part Cost/NRE cost/Lead Time structures for your commodity and sub commodity parts & meet cost, quality, and timeline targets for the Program.

• Execute contracts with suppliers to secure commitment on cost, quality and delivery and mitigate potential risks associated with SLAs.

• Align to the organizational long term forecast and business plan to secure capacities at each supplier partners manufacturing lines.

• Communicate with suppliers monthly requirement plan and ensure adherence to released MRP.

• Track capacity at suppliers and their sub suppliers to have a smooth supply chain.

• Ensure the sustenance of established processes and plan for periodic audit & score card reviews.

• Devise and drive  mechanisms to track commodity price fluctuations impacting the commodity and share impact of these fluctuations to the relevant stakeholders on product prices

• Ensure seamless implementation of engineering changes & obsolete management at supplier end and ensure price revisions for the same if any.

• Ensure timely material disposition for non conformance parts and align with suppliers for the next course of actions.

• Establish cadence with the engineering, SQA, MQA & PQ team to evaluate current performance of the supply base and devise a course of action for improvement, and support implementation

• Monitor timely payment to all supplier partners as per the agreed credit terms.

Experience and Qualifications

• B.E/M. E in Industrial engineering, Mechanical engineering or Automotive Engineering

• 6-8 years of hands-on experience on strategic sourcing & material handling on built to spec parts. 

Must have competencies

• Prior experience in development of built to spec products, preferably automotive parts such as Transmission belts, Pulleys, Pressure relief valves & Breathers (mechanical proprietary).

• Knowledge of e2W transmission architectures, venting solutions for batteries, motors and gearboxes, other electro mechanical parts- Product specific technical/domain knowledge

• Strong knowledge on 4S ; Scouting , selecting, securing & supplier relation management.

• Good experience on understanding of supplier landscape, value chain mapping & understanding Zero based costing based on drawings.

• Strong knowledge of different base manufacturing processes such as casting, machining, belt manufacturing, gear manufacturing processes etc 

• Ability to work on  Spend analysis, negotiations, and good understanding of commercials & INCO terms. A good understanding of costing and financial statement analysis is a definite plus

• Prior experience on understanding service level agreements, contract analysis and negotiation with suppliers.

• Experience in procurement processes such as rolling out monthly/quarterly production plan, follow up with the vendors and ensuring production fulfillment.

• Good understanding of AIAG manuals such as APQP, PPAP, FMEA & quality certifications such as IATF16949 & ISO9001

Good to have competencies

• Product development life cycle experience and strong problem solving skills are must.

• Ability to work well within a team – enjoys collaborating, persuading, and influencing.

• Ability to thrive under pressure – to manage challenging deadlines.

• Strong planning, process management, and decision-making skills.

• Excellent communication (written and verbal) and interpersonal skills.

Want to know more?

At Ather, we’ve built India’s first intelligent scooter, from scratch. Based on the philosophy of clean design and smart technology, we are transforming the urban commute experience. We are expanding in India, and in the coming years, we look forward to scaling up and launching more products globally. Today, our product offerings include the Ather 450X, 450S, 450 Apex, and Rizta. Beyond the product, we are also setting up an extensive charging network and re-imagining end-to-end ownership experience. To know more, check out our Careers site and our Substack

Be You, With Us.

About Company

Ather Energy is a Bengaluru-based electric vehicle startup known for its smart scooters like the Ather 450X. The company builds high-performance EVs and invests in its own public charging network. It is pushing innovation in India’s growing sustainable mobility space.