Associate Manager - Supply Chain Planning (EXIM Operations)

Location: Bengaluru, Karnataka

Experience: 1 - 4 Years

Job Overview:

This role requires you to own every import and export shipment end to end. That means planning shipments before they become urgent, resolving issues quickly when they go off track, and ensuring every order reaches the customer on time.

This is an ownership role, not just a coordination role. You will be responsible for tracking shipment statuses, identifying potential problems, and aligning Demand, Supply, Logistics, and Finance teams to ensure smooth operations. You will report directly to the founding team.

What You'll Do:

Plan Shipments Proactively and Reactively:

- Build forward shipment plans based on confirmed and expected orders.

- Align supplier readiness, documentation, payment terms, and logistics schedules.

- Re-plan quickly when vessels are delayed, documents are missing, or suppliers face delays.

- Maintain real-time visibility of shipment statuses, timelines, risks, and next actions.

Own Fulfilment End to End:

- Manage export orders from closure to dispatch and customs clearance.

- Coordinate with overseas suppliers, track inbound shipments, and ensure timely import clearance.

- Take ownership of shipment outcomes and drive delays or issues to resolution.

Coordinate Across Teams:

- Work closely with Demand, Supply, Logistics, Fulfilment, and Finance teams.

- Coordinate order closure, customer requirements, supplier fulfilment, payments, advances, and receivables.

- Act as the single point of contact for EXIM shipment updates.

Identify and Resolve Critical Blockers:

- Identify issues related to documentation, payments, suppliers, or shipment bookings.

- Escalate blockers early and drive them towards resolution.

- Prioritise shipments that are at risk.

Maintain Documentation and Build Processes:

- Ensure import, export, and hazardous-cargo documentation is complete for customs clearance.

- Develop checklists, trackers, and SOPs to streamline EXIM operations.

- Identify recurring issues and implement process improvements.

Key Requirements:

- Customer satisfaction and on-time delivery should be your top priorities.

- Strong stakeholder management skills with the ability to coordinate across internal teams, suppliers, and freight partners.

- Excellent attention to detail, particularly around documentation, payment terms, and customer requirements.

- Ability to take ownership of fulfilment from order closure to delivery.

- Strong planning and problem-solving skills.

- Ability to identify critical blockers and drive them to closure.

- 1 - 4 years of experience in supply chain, operations, program management, or a similar role.

- Understanding of import/export processes and payment terms is helpful. Prior EXIM experience is an advantage, but not mandatory.

How You Work:

- High Intent and Ownership: Take responsibility for every shipment and follow through until completion.

- Curious: Understand why delays happen and learn the operational aspects of customs, freight, payments, and suppliers.

- Street Smart: Know when to escalate, whom to contact, and how to find practical solutions.

- Strong Stakeholder Management: Coordinate effectively with internal teams, suppliers, freight forwarders, and finance.

- Ruthless Prioritisation: Identify the most critical issues and address them first.

- Calm Under Pressure: Stay composed, communicate proactively, and focus on resolving problems.

Why Join Us?:

- Opportunity to join a well-funded company in its early stages, offering significant growth and learning opportunities.

- Work with a passionate and driven team looking to make a lasting impact in the specialty chemicals industry.

- Opportunity to play a foundational role in building manufacturing capabilities from the ground up.