IDAN was founded as a start-up company with intent to design, develop and sell electric vehicles, with plan to do electric 2W motorcycles initially and then to add electric 2W scooters later on.IDAN being a bootstrapped start-up, it was really a difficult decision for me to move from a well-known US MNC (VERTIV) to IDAN. However, I vouch that my assignment at IDAN was also among the most learning and challenging ever in my whole career. Despite quite a short stint, I was able to quickly learn hands-on on anything required to manufacture an electric motorcycle, be it Li-ion Cell, Motor, Motor Controller, BMS, Chassis, Suspension, Throttle, Brakes, Seats, Wheel Rims, Lighting, etc. It was an immensely great opportunity to connect with new set of suppliers, both big & small. At IDAN, we as a team, though a small one, were able to contribute to get some of the unique patents for IDAN.

VERTIV is a US MNC having global presence with strong foothold in its domain and enjoys considerably significant position in India too. VERTIV is pioneer in manufacturing and selling of wide range of Precision Cooling Machines, UPS, Telecom Products, etc.Though my stint at VERTIV was quite shorter yet I got to learn a lot and the major highlights of my role are as below:> Heading Procurement Function and management of its overall activities and personnel for theAmbernath Plant.> With the support of about 15+ team members, managing the annual Buying of quite sizeable amount of approximately INR 800+ Crores.> Actively participating in SIOP Reviews, Operations MIS Reviews and other Key Reviews.> Managing the Buying of various technology items viz. PCBAs, Rectifiers, IGBTs, Batteries, Fans,Compressors, Switchgears, Cabinets, Transformers, Busbars, Wire Harnesses, etc.> Handling the panel of huge supplier base spread across India and Overseas (China, Europe, US, Thailand etc.).> Member of the Plant’s Core Team for the formulation & implementation of key strategies for the Ambernath Plant.During my tenure at VERTIV, the long prevailing disruptions in global supply chain due to pandemic (Covid-19) and extended shortages in various commodities like semiconductors, fans, other electronics, etc., further reinforced my ability to handle and manage crisis and ensuring seamless flow of required materials.

SINTEX Group is a well known business house in India with multiple areas of activities viz. textile, water tank, custom moldings, plastic moldings and special assemblies for Auto OEMs,... etc. I worked there for about 3 years as Sourcing Leader for their entire Auto business. The key highlights are:> Responsible for spend of significant amount as a Corporate Functional Head for entire Sourcing across their all 7 plants with the support of quite sizeable team of 20+ stationed at corporate office & multiple plants located vastly across India.> Team member of core team responsible for policy & strategic decision making.> Project Management: New Parts / Tools Development, Outsourcing, Insourcing, etc.> Management of entire portfolio of Suppliers for BOM items, Consumables, CAPEX, Services, etc.> Negotiation of key contracts & high value spends.My role at SINTEX BAPL helped me to grow further professionally as it involved responsibility of Sourcing Function for multiple locations with big team size. Also, I got to enhance my strategic orientation.

SOCOMEC is a French MNC having manufacturing plants and sales offices at multiple locations world-wide including India and their product offering includes Switchgears, UPS, Energy Meters,... etc. For me, it was a very valuable stint of more than 9 years at SOCOMEC, wherein I had opportunity to contribute quite significantly with main highlights as below:> Leader of Purchase Function and part of Steering Committee for key operational & strategic aspects.> Managed New Projects: supplier selection, tools ordering, parts development,... etc.> Sourcing and negotiation of contracts for CAPEX, Civil Projects, Services, etc.> Management of multi-location Suppliers across pan India & overseas and ensuring their efficiency w.r.t. Quality, Delivery, Price,… etc.At SOCOMEC, it was an opportunity to showcase my capabilities as the entire Sourcing / Purchase Process was to be set-up from nascent stage, which I accomplished with the inputs from my past learnings and the alignment according to group policies / procedures. Also, at SOCOMEC, I got very significant exposure to work with overseas colleagues & suppliers.

BCH ELECTRIC LTD. is a well known name in Switchgear / Electrical Industry. I worked there for about 3 years in the Vendor Development Function and key work areas were as below:> Development of Machining, Casting, Plastics, Fasteners, Silver and Copper items.> Cost Reduction thru Alternate Sourcing, Out-Sourcing, VA/VE etc.> Leader for execution of Green Channel activity (DOL).> MIS and ISO activities for SCM.> Training & Development of Suppliers.At BCH, I started experiencing the shift in my role towards more and more managerial activities which led to development of analytical skills & decision making capabilities in myself.

DENSO INDIA LTD. is a Japanese MNC having global presence and very well known for their state-of-the art products in Auto Electrical Industry. There I worked for 8 years in the Procurement Function, primarily in the Sourcing / Vendor Development area. There, my key learnings and main work areas were:> Development of parts (Plastics, Rubber, Wiring Harness, Sheet-metal, Castings, Fasteners,... etc.)> New Product Development, Localization, Alternate Sourcing, Out-Sourcing, VA / VE,... etc.> Coordination of TS-16949 activities for Procurement Department.> Achieved significant level of Savings year over year.The stint at DENSO was filled with learnings on manufacturing processes, systems, technical awareness and much more. In fact, my experience at DENSO gave me a rock solid foundation for furthering exploration in my career ahead.

My professional life was just starting when I joined FLEX ENGINEERING LTD. (part of UFLEX Group), an Indian company with leadership position in manufacturing of Packaging Machines. I began with Quality Department and learned about various Quality Equipment & Instruments, Quality Procedures, Inspection Methods,... etc. I was doing Inspection of Items of various technologies viz. Casting, Sheet-metal, Plastic, Fasteners, Rubber,... etc. at material incoming stage as well as at supplier ends. I also performed in-process inspection quite often which was quite crucial for the progress of manufacturing of machines.I can vouch that it was really good for me to start with Quality Function right at the beginning of my career as it instilled in me the urgency of Quality in industry or even in life per se.