Director - Sourcing Execution & Supply Chain Transformation

Role Summary:

We are seeking an accomplished and strategic Supply Chain Director to lead our supply chain function within the rolling stock manufacturing industry. The role focuses on four core pillars: Long-Term Strategic Sourcing and Supply Chain Initiatives, Project and Product Sourcing, and Diversified Commodity (including rubber) & Commodity Management for Casting, Machining, Fabrication, Engineering systems & forging. The selected candidate will be responsible for designing and executing initiatives that will drive the deflation/PPV, directly enhance downstream supply chain performance, enabling simplicity, agility, scalability, total cost of ownership and inventory optimization and sustainable business growth with equal importance to OE and Services.

The ideal candidate must have a strong background in both sourcing and end-to-end supply chain management, with a proven track record of driving supplier development, simplification of supply chain, total cost of value chain and supply base rationalization and localization.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Long-Term Strategic Initiatives:

• Develop and implement forward-looking supply chain strategies that align with business growth and operational excellence.
• Drive supplier consolidation to streamline operations and reduce supply chain complexity.
• Lead initiatives to reduce Supplier Lead Time (LT) and Minimum Order Quantities (MOQs), improving agility and inventory management.
• Implement Vendor Managed Inventory (VMI) programs to optimize stock levels and enhance service levels.
• Reduce inter-company dependency through accelerated localization
• Responsible and accountable for supplier capacity assessments to ensure capability alignment with long-term volume requirements.
• Define and monitor KPIs that ensure sustained improvement in OTD (On-Time Delivery), quality, and cost.
• Ensure all strategic initiatives positively impact the downstream supply chain, enabling faster response times, improved customer satisfaction, and increased competitiveness.

2. Project Sourcing:

• Collaborate with S&M, Project, Engineering, and Procurement teams to develop sourcing strategies tailored to specific rolling stock projects with winning outcomes.
• Identify, assess, and onboard suppliers that meet project-specific cost, quality, and timeline objectives.
• Ensure early supplier involvement in off cycle product development to improve manufacturability and reduce project risks.
• Lead critical make-or-buy decisions in coordination with engineering, product management and finance teams.
• Ensure supplier selection in line with simplicity framework

3. Strategic Sourcing

• Build and manage a regional supplier base to enhance localization, reduce lead times, and improve logistics responsiveness. Key topics will include rubber localisation, existing C class purchase from global inter-company entities.
• Lead supplier capability assessments including capacity, quality systems, and risk profiles.
• Responsible and accountable for signing long term frame agreement with supplier
• Responsible and accountable for simplifying supplier landscape through supplier reduction, consolidation, signing long term frame agreement with supplier
• Responsible for supplier QBR ( quarterly business review) calendar and action closures
• Lead transformation of supplier capabilities – reduce subcontracting activites
• Responsible for make-buy decision

4. Services Sourcing

• Responsible and accountable for Services sourcing which involve low volume and high variety part.
• NPI development, LT Reduction, Re-FAI and overlap of the long term strategic initiatives mentioned in section 1.

5. Diversified (Proprietary) Commodity management including Rubber Commodity

• Identify, qualify, and develop diversified suppliers across India and other strategic locations to reduce dependency on single/foreign sources.
• Simplify the diversified commodity landscape through distributors
• Sign long term frame agreements with suppliers

6. Commodity (Casting, Machining, Fabrication, Engineering Systems & Forging) management

• Drive sourcing strategies for Casting, Machining, Fabrication, Engineering Systems, and Forging components.
• Achieve annual cost deflation targets through negotiations, value engineering, and alternate sourcing.
• Collaborate with engineering and suppliers for timely development of new parts.
• Ensure localization initiatives to reduce dependency on imports and optimize lead times.
• Assess and improve supplier capacity to meet current and future demand.
• Implement capacity-building programs and monitor progress against agreed timelines.
• Conduct regular supplier audits covering quality, delivery, and compliance.
• Maintain supplier scorecards and drive continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers to strengthen the supply chain.
• Ensure risk mitigation by developing alternate sources for critical components.
• Track and report KPIs such as cost deflation, part development timelines, supplier capacity utilization, and supplier performance metrics.
• Use data-driven insights to support decision-making and strategic planning.
• Collaborate with Central Sourcing team to escalate the issues related to preferred suppliers.

7. Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Serve as the primary interface with Central Purchasing and Supplier Quality teams to align on OTD, quality, and performance improvement plans.
• Actively participate in global supply chain reviews and ensure alignment of local strategies with corporate objectives.
• Support internal stakeholders across Operations, Quality, Engineering, and Finance through transparent communication and results-driven execution.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field; MBA or equivalent postgraduate qualification preferred.
• Minimum 20 -25 years of experience in sourcing and end-to-end supply chain management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role in manufacturing or rolling stock/railway sector preferable. Overall 20-25 years of experience.
• Demonstrated ability to lead strategic sourcing, localization, and supplier development programs that deliver measurable downstream benefits.
• Experience with supplier negotiation, supplier capacity planning, inventory optimization, VMI, and supply chain risk management.
• Proficiency in ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle) and strong data analytics capabilities.
• Worked in a matrix organization with US or European organization and led transformation

Key Competencies:

• Strategic Vision, Framework and model thinking and Thought leadership
• Operational execution, result orientation and impactful results
• Transformation and simplification mindset
• Strong Leadership & Cross-Functional Collaboration
• Supplier Negotiation & Relationship Management
• Downstream Supply Chain Optimization
• Risk Mitigation & Contingency Planning

What could you accomplish in a place that puts People First?

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If you’re ready to revolutionize how the world moves for future generations, Wabtec is the place for you.

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Wabtec is a leading global provider of equipment, systems, digital solutions, and value-added services for the freight and transit rail sectors. Drawing on more than 150 years of experience, we are leading the way in safety, efficiency, reliability, innovation, and productivity. Whether it’s freight, transit, ports, logistics, mining, industrial, or marine, our expertise, technologies, and people together – are accelerating the future of transportation. With roots that date back to George Westinghouse, Thomas Edison, and Louis Faiveley, Wabtec has always built technologies and implemented solutions for a variety of sectors that are critical to meeting the needs of customers and governments alike.

Our global team of about 30,000 employees worldwide delivers performance that moves the world forward. We’re lifelong learners, obsessed with better. Learn more at www.WabtecCorp.com.

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