Director Strategic Sourcing & Supply Chain

Zeno; Pune District; On-site; INR 450,000 - 700,000; Full time

Job summary

Zeno seeks a Director of Strategic Sourcing & Supply Chain to lead end-to-end planning, procurement, and production support. The role spans strategy, operations, and cross-functional collaboration to scale motorcycle and battery ecosystems.

The ideal candidate has 15–20 years in supply chain with 5+ years in leadership, plus experience with global suppliers, ERP systems, and a sustainability focus. Pune-based, high-growth startup environment.

Qualifications

• 15–20 years in supply chain roles.
• 5+ years in leadership positions, preferably in automotive/manufacturing or EV sectors.
• Experience with global suppliers and manufacturing.
• Strong negotiation and contracting skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute the supply chain strategy aligned with growth.
• Own sourcing and establish partnerships with local and global suppliers.
• Negotiate contracts, drive cost optimization, manage quality and risk.
• Oversee inventory planning, forecasting, and ERP-enabled processes.
• Lead cross-functional teams and report on KPIs.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supply chain leadership

Negotiation

Forecasting

ERP experience

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in Engineering or MBA in Supply Chain

Tools

Odoo ERP

Job description

Industry: Electric Mobility / Automotive

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.

What You'll Do

As the Director of Strategic Sourcing & Supply Chain, you will lead Zeno's sourcing & supply chain strategy for us, driving end-to-end planning, procurement, and production support . Your role will be strategic, operational, and deeply cross-functional.

Strategic Supply Chain Leadership

• Develop and execute the supply chain strategy aligned with Zeno's growth plans for motorcycle, battery, Swap Stations, and fast charger products, as well as spares.
• Build scalable processes that balance cost, quality, lead time, and risk.
• Own sourcing establishing and maintaining partnerships with local and global suppliers.
• Negotiate contracts, drive cost optimization, and manage quality / supplier risk.
• Implement performance metrics for suppliers and develop continuous improvement programs.

Inventory & Materials Planning

• Oversee inventory planning for raw materials, sub-assemblies, and finished goods to minimize working capital.
• Design and implement demand forecasting models to support production and swap-station needs.
• Ensure accurate inventory systems, cycle counts, and stock reconciliations. Strong ERP experience.

Manufacturing & Quality Support

• Ultimate ownership and responsibility for ensuring production is not blocked by material shortages.
• Work closely with Engineering and Production teams to support build plans, product launches, and quality requirements.
• Ensure supply chain is responsive to changes in product design or demand, including new motorcycle models or battery technologies.
• Identify supply chain risks (geopolitical, regulatory, logistical) and develop mitigation strategies.
• Ensure compliance with local regulations, import/export policies, and sustainability standards.

Team Leadership & Stakeholder Management

• Build, mentor, and lead a high-performing supply chain team (procurement, planning, logistics).
• Collaborate with cross-functional leadership (Engineering, Operations, Finance, Service) to align supply chain goals with business priorities.
• Report regularly on key supply chain KPIs, cost, inventory turnover, lead times, supplier performance, etc.

What You'll Bring

• Bachelor's/ Master's degree in Engineering / MBA in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field
• At least 15-20 years of supply chain experience, with 5+ years in leadership (preferably in automotive, EV, or manufacturing).
• Deep experience in procurement, planning, inventory management, and distribution.
• Experience working with global suppliers and manufacturing
• Strong negotiation skills and experience contracting with component manufacturers.
• Analytical mindset, comfortable with forecasting, financial planning, and supply chain KPIs.
• Excellent leadership, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth startup / scale-up environment.
• Passion for sustainability, mobility, and transforming transportation in emerging markets.
• Odoo ERP experience nice to have

Why Join Zeno

• Be part of a mission-driven company electrifying the two-wheeler market in Emerging markets.
• High impact role: you will directly shape how our products are sourced, built, and distributed.
• Collaborative, cross-functional team working at the intersection of engineering, operations, and sustainability.
• Competitive compensation and benefits (tailor to your company’s package)
• Opportunity for personal growth, leadership, and driving innovation in a high-growth industry.