About the role

Role purpose

Lead and optimize end-to-end supply chain operations for IDE Water Technologies in India, ensuring reliable procurement, efficient production execution, on-time deliveries, and strong supplier and product quality performance. The role has full accountability for regional supply chain execution and team leadership across Procurement, Production Supervision, Logistics & Expediting, and Quality Control.

Reporting & scope

Level: Senior leadership role (General Manager level – India career scale)
Reports to: Global Supply Chain Manager (Head Office) - primary reporting line; dotted-line to India site/country leadership as applicable
Team scope: Matrix leadership across functional leads and teams in Procurement, Production Supervision, Logistics & Expediting, and Quality Control (India)

Operating model: Multicultural, matrix organization with strong Head Office functional governance. Global functions define standards, policies, category strategies, and key approvals; India executes within this framework.

Ways of working: Functional managers lead the day-to-day activities of executing employees in India. The Regional Supply Chain Manager aligns and coordinates functional managers to deliver integrated, timely, and quality execution end-to-end by setting priorities, running an execution cadence, removing blockers, and escalating gaps to Head Office when needed.

Interfaces: Engineering, Project Management, Finance, Legal/Contracts, HSE, Construction, Global SCM, and key suppliers/subcontractors

Key responsibilities

1) Supply Chain leadership & governance

Lead the regional supply chain strategy and operating model aligned with global SCM policies and project/business priorities.
Establish clear KPIs, routines, escalation paths, and governance for execution excellence (OTD, cost, quality, risk).
Lead and develop a high-performing multi-disciplinary team; build succession and capability plans.
Ensure compliance with Head Office strategy, policies, delegation of authority, and governance; translate global requirements into actionable local plans and standard work.

Drive matrix execution by partnering with functional managers to define clear RACI, targets, and handoffs; monitor delivery and quality performance, and resolve cross-functional conflicts quickly and constructively.

2) Procurement & supplier management

Drive sourcing for equipment used in water treatment/desalination projects and operations (e.g., mechanical equipment, piping/valves, chemicals, electrical & instrumentation, fabrication, services).
Lead contract and commercial negotiations to secure best total cost, delivery, and quality outcomes.
Develop and manage supplier qualification, performance reviews, and corrective action plans.
Ensure compliance with internal procurement procedures, ethics, and delegation of authority.

3) Production supervision / shop-floor execution (as applicable)

Oversee production planning and execution for regional manufacturing/assembly/fabrication activities and supplier production follow-up.
Ensure adherence to plans, productivity targets, and continuous improvement initiatives.
Partner with Engineering and QA/QC to resolve technical and nonconformance issues quickly.
Lead expediting to ensure supplier manufacturing progress visibility and on-time delivery.

4) Logistics, expediting & delivery performance

Manage import/export compliance and documentation; minimize delays and demurrage.

5) Quality control & compliance

Ensure proper execution of corporate QC strategy including ITPs, inspection planning, vendor inspections, incoming inspections, NCR/CAPA, and supplier audits.
Ensure compliance with relevant standards, customer specifications, and regulatory requirements.
Promote a strong quality culture.

6) Risk management & resilience

Identify and mitigate supply chain risks.
Maintain contingency plans, alternate suppliers, and critical-path tracking for projects.

8) Cost leadership & value creation

Deliver measurable savings and productivity improvements through strategic sourcing, and supplier collaboration.
Support budgeting and forecasting with Finance.

9) Stakeholder management

Serve as the key supply chain integrator between India execution teams, functional managers, project teams, and Head Office (Global Supply Chain and professional managers); ensure transparent communication, proactive issue resolution, and alignment to global priorities.
Establish and lead a structured matrix cadence (weekly execution reviews, expediting and quality escalations, monthly performance reviews) with clear action tracking and ownership across functions.
Provide Head Office with a single consolidated regional view of delivery status, risks, mitigation actions, supplier performance, and resource constraints; escalate early with data-backed options and recommendations.
Support Sales, Tendering, and Cost Calculation by providing supplier and logistics market intelligence, lead times, cost inputs, and risk/opportunity assessments.

Success measures (typical KPIs)

On-time delivery (supplier and project/site delivery)
Procurement savings and cost avoidance vs. plan
Supplier quality: NCR rate, closure cycle time, audit results
Logistics cost and performance
Production adherence and productivity (where applicable)

Team capability development and retention