Commodity Lead

You'll be our: Commodity Lead - Raw material (Ferrous, Non- Ferrous & Polymers)

You'll be based at: IBC Knowledge Park, Bengaluru

You'll be Aligned with: Head - Mechanical Commodity - Supply chain management

You'll be a member of: Supply chain management

What you'll do at Ather:

• Lead procurement of critical raw materials such as ferrous metals, non-ferrous metals, and engineering polymers (e.g., PP, PA, ABS, PC) used in automotive manufacturing.
• Responsible for the strategic sourcing, procurement, and management of key raw material commodities (Ferrous, Non-Ferrous & Polymers) essential for our manufacturing operations.
• Developing and executing commodity strategies, managing supplier relationships, negotiating contracts, and ensuring a secure and cost-effective supply chain.

Key Responsibilities:

• Raw- material Commodity Strategy Development & Execution:

• Develop, implement, and manage comprehensive sourcing strategies for assigned raw material commodities (e.g., metals, plastics, chemicals, agricultural products – specify if possible).

• Conduct in-depth market analysis to understand trends, price drivers, supply/demand dynamics, and potential risks for assigned commodities.
• Identify and recommend hedging strategies where appropriate to mitigate price volatility.
• Define and execute global sourcing strategies to support cost efficiency, quality assurance, and operational continuity.

• Negotiate contracts, pricing models (LME-linked, index-based etc), and terms for international and local supply partners.

• Supplier Management & Development:

• Lead the identification, evaluation, selection, and onboarding of new raw material suppliers.

• Manage and cultivate strong relationships with existing key suppliers, conducting regular business reviews and performance evaluations.
• Drive supplier development initiatives to improve quality, delivery, cost, and innovation.

• Negotiate and implement robust contracts, including pricing, terms, and conditions.

• Budgeting & Forecasting:

• Develop and manage the annual raw materials procurement budget in collaboration with Engineering Finance and product owner teams.

• Conduct ongoing cost forecasting and variance analysis driven by commodity trends, Forex fluctuations, and inflation indicators.

• Integrate cost modeling into new product development (NPD) and long-term sourcing plans.

• Macroeconomic & Commodity Market Intelligence

• Track and interpret global economic trends, commodity pricing, and geopolitical developments impacting material supply and cost.

• Utilize data platforms (LME, ICIS, SMM, Steel mint, Crisil, Trading Economics etc) to inform decision-making and forecast market movements.

• Support risk mitigation strategies including commodity hedging and currency impact planning.

• Upstream Value Chain Mapping:

• Map end-to-end supply chains, including Tier-2 and upstream raw material sources, to identify risk exposure, production bottlenecks, and dependency issues.

• Evaluate sourcing risks due to market consolidation, environmental regulation, or geopolitical instability.

• Recommend alternate suppliers, geographies, or circular material loops to increase supply resilience.

• Government Policy & Regulatory Alignment:

• Monitor and interpret national and international government policies (e.g., trade tariffs, QCO, CBAM, export controls, sustainability mandates).
• Ensure sourcing decisions align with evolving regulatory landscapes, environmental laws, and trade agreements (FTA, PTA, CEPA, CECA, EU regulations etc).
• Lead proactive sourcing adjustments and supplier strategy updates in response to regulatory changes, mitigating legal and operational risk.

• Global Supply Chain & Risk Management:

• Manage international logistics, Incoterms, customs compliance, and sustainable transportation options.

• Implement multi-sourcing, safety stock, and lead time optimization strategies to safeguard continuity of supply.

• Coordinate crisis response planning for raw material shortages, logistics delays, and force majeure events

• Cost Management & Optimization:

• Identify and execute cost-saving opportunities through negotiation, value engineering, tendering, and process improvements.

• Track and report on commodity price trends and their impact on product costs.
• Develop and manage budgets for assigned commodities.

• Analyze Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) for procurement decisions.

• Supply Chain & Risk Management:

• Ensure continuity of supply for critical raw materials, proactively identifying and mitigating potential supply chain disruptions.

• Develop and implement risk mitigation plans for key commodities, considering geopolitical, economic, and environmental factors.

• Collaborate with planning and logistics teams to optimize inventory levels and ensure timely material availability.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration:

• Work closely with internal stakeholders, including R&D, Engineering, Production, Quality, and Engineering Finance, to understand material requirements and support new product development.

• Provide market intelligence and commodity insights to relevant internal teams.

• Lead or participate in cross-functional projects related to procurement and supply chain optimization.

• Reporting & Analytics:

• Monitor and report on key performance indicators (KPIs) such as cost savings, supplier performance, and supply continuity.

• Utilize procurement systems (e.g., ERP, SLM, Qlik tools) for data analysis and reporting.
• Prepare regular reports and presentations for management.
• Establish cadence with the respective commodity managers & SQA 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.

Here's what we are looking for:

• Strong experience with supplier management, global sourcing, budgeting, and risk mitigation strategies.
• Strong capabilities in upstream value chain analysis, cost forecasting, macroeconomic monitoring, and alignment with evolving government policies and regulations.
• Knowledge of ferrous/non-ferrous metals and polymers markets, as well as upstream supply chain structures.
• Familiarity with global regulatory frameworks, government policies, and trade compliance.
• Proficiency in ERP systems like SAP MM, Ariba, and procurement analytics tools.
• Strong negotiation, financial modeling, and cross-functional communication skills.

You bring to Ather:

• Bachelor's degree & major in Supply Chain Management, Materials Engineering, International Business, Economics, or related field.
• 12 to 15 years of experience in strategic procurement of raw materials, ideally in the automotive or industrial manufacturing sectors.