Sourcing Manager – Proprietary Chassis

Zeno is seeking a Supply Chain Manager – Proprietary Chassis to lead end-to-end sourcing, vendor development, and supply chain execution for a next-generation proprietary chassis platform under development.

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About Zeno

An unprecedented energy transition has begun. To meet 2040 net zero goals, over 2 billion electric two-wheelers (motorcycles) must be sold and $11 trillion in fuel consumption replaced. Zeno is building a tech platform to electrify this two-wheeler market, currently responsible for more than 4% of the world’s GHG emissions. Our mission is to accelerate the energy transition and democratize the benefits across Africa, India, and Latin America. With a focus on East Africa as a starting point, Zeno is building a new energy ecosystem with ground-up development of a fundamentally better electric motorcycle and associated battery swap network to drive a better experience for our customers.

The Role

Zeno is seeking a Supply Chain Manager – Proprietary Chassis to lead end-to-end sourcing, vendor development, and supply chain execution for a next-generation proprietary chassis platform under development. This role is highly confidential and mission-critical, involving the identification and management of strategic suppliers to ensure cost, quality, and delivery performance for vehicle functional/dynamic components that form the backbone of our electric motorcycles.

What You’ll Do

• Strategic Ownership:

  Build and manage the supply chain for proprietary chassis systems, which includes suspension, brake system, alloy wheels, bearings, tyres, chain drive system, latches, locks, ignition locks etc.

• Vendor Development:

  Identify and qualify global and domestic suppliers with advanced technology, design capabilities and manufacturing capabilities.

• Negotiation & Cost Management:

  Drive competitive pricing strategies while ensuring adherence to engineering specifications. Evaluate & workout should cost, negotiate and align with suppliers for optimized BOM cost control

• Supplier Program Management:

  Work with engineering and program for project’s technical & scheduling requirements for development timelines, maintaining strict confidentiality, adherence to program schedule. Driving supplier level micro activities for the benefit of the organization.

• Quality & Compliance:

  Ensure all proprietary chassis components meet durability, safety, and certification requirements (ISO/IATF). Supplier quality assurance, managing supplier quality control, ensuring quality timeliy quality checks & report submission to engineering.

• Risk Mitigation:

  Develop dual-sourcing strategies and safeguard IP while engaging with suppliers. Manage supplier activities closely on regular basis to identify risks to the project, risks to program schedule as well as manufacturing schedule.

• Cross-Functional Alignment:

  Collaborate with engineering, R&D, programs and HOD to deliver chassis supply chain readiness in line with launch milestones.

What You Bring

• 7–10 years of experience in supply chain, sourcing, or procurement in automotive or allied heavy industries.
• Deep expertise in suspension, brakes, and other proprietary functional & dynamic component sourcing.
• Strong knowledge of all manufacturing & assembly processes.
• Proven ability to set up and scale supplier networks for complex, high-precision parts in various North, Central, Western & Southern regions of India.
• Hands-on experience in supplier audits, PPAP, APQP, and quality systems (IATF 16949, ISO 9001).
• Proficiency in ERP (SAP/Odoo) and advanced supply chain planning tools.
• Strong confidentiality orientation and ability to manage sensitive programs.
• Willing to relocate to Bengaluru, with a willingness to travel or frequent visits to suppliers.

You have

• Positive attitude with positive view of people
• Teamwork attitude to take on & support multiple responsibilities and have result oriented way of working
• You are open to change and are stimulated by taking on new responsibilities
• Has the ability to work strategically in a fast-paced environment
• Has very good communication skills to deal with, interact with suppliers from different regions of India
• Works proactively with the ability to thrive in fast-paced, high-growth environments, as we operate in a changing environment
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills with attention to detail.
• Has the experience or capability to work with startup mind set with out of the box lateral thinking abilities
• Should be able to drive & deliver in evolving processes across the company

Benefits

• Competitive salary aligned with senior leadership experience.
• Company-sponsored healthcare plan.
• Unique opportunity to lead the confidential chassis supply chain of a next-generation EV platform.
• Be part of a mission-driven team shaping the trillion-dollar transition of two-wheelers to electric.