Manager - Supply Chain & Mfg

Manager-Supply Chain & Manufacturing

About Simpa Networks:

Simpa Networks is a venture-backed technology company with a bold mission: to make modern energy simple, affordable, and accessible for everyone. Simpa has introduced a product and business model that will make sustainable energy choices “radically affordable” to the 1.6 billion Base of the Pyramid (BoP) consumers who currently lack access to electricity.

Simpa sells distributed energy solutions on a “Progressive Purchase” basis to underserved consumers in emerging markets. We’ve launched in India where we are focusing initially on transforming the market for solar energy systems. Our customers make a small initial down payment for a high-­quality solar PV system and then pre-­pay for the energy service, topping up their systems in small user-defined increments using a mobile phone. Each payment for energy also adds towards the final purchase price. Once fully paid, the system unlocks permanently and produces energy, free and clear. The innovative pricing model is called Progressive PurchaseTM, and Simpa is live with customers in Karnataka, India.

Our model is built upon our proprietary risk mitigation technology which creates opportunities for market rate and social investors to invest in the expansion of energy access.

Position Overview:

- Simpa Networks is looking for a talented and resourceful Operations professional to lead the Supply Chain, Manufacturing and Logistics functions of Simpa’s product manufacturing business in Bangalore. Simpa Networks is a fast-paced, mission-driven technology company based in Bangalore building a world-class team committed to serving our rural and urban customers with affordable access to clean energy.

- The Manager, Supply Chain and Manufacturing will be a key leader of Simpa’s Operations team, guiding and managing the core manufacturing function by taking a product from concept to scaled manufacturing and on to delivery to customers.

Responsibilities in Context

- Simpa is growing rapidly with a significant increase in retail partners and product outflow in 2013.

- We are looking for a world-class Operations professional to help us build a world-class supply chain and create processes that will migrate manufacturing and distribution from an in-house function to an outsourced or locally managed assembly unit that will increase output by 10X, coordinating with multiple vendors and retail partners, while maintaining product quality, cost, customer responsiveness, and timely delivery.

Responsibilities

Procurement and Vendor Management

- Own strategic components of the supply chain selection and vendor management for product portfolio, which includes several electronic, electrical and mechanical components.

- Develop business processes for supplier selection, supplier reuse price and contract negotiations.

- Manage strategic vendors worldwide, with ability to manage these suppliers through variability typical of a start-up initiative.

Assembly and Manufacturing

- Responsible for all manufacturing requirements including planning and execution of outsourced or new site assembly unit, organizational development and hiring for assembly unit, throughput and yield, quality improvement efforts, and product change management

- Assure production capacity improvement while maintaining product quality and standards. Accountable for overall cost analysis of Manufacturing systems to ensure that they remain effective and competitive.

- Set production schedules and develop efficient procurement and quality functions.

- Initiate plans and processes which minimize manufacturing costs through effective utilization of manpower, equipment, facilities, materials, and capital.

Inventory and Materials Management

- Responsible for the overall management and accounting of all product and materials inventory.

- Establish processes, procedures and technology for stock control and inventory accounting.

Logistics

- Ensure timely and economical delivery of Simpa’s products to retail and wholesale partners across India.

- Develop and manage all distribution and logistics partner relationships.

Human Resources

- Organize, motivate and lead a strong team to get things done efficiently and to continually improve every aspect of the business.

- Direct and coordinate various programs essential to manufacturing procedures (e.g., training, safety, housekeeping, cost reduction, worker involvement, security, etc.).

Simpa is a start-up. You will help us be agile, smart, realistic, while also ensuring that we’re building the foundation for a strong and healthy organization.

Experience and Qualification requirements:

- 5+ years of experience in procurement/purchasing/vendor management in high volume electronics/electrical product environment.

- 3+ years of experience in managing electronics/electrical product manufacturing engineering, test engineering and contract manufacturer interface.

- Ability to work well in a team environment across boundaries is required.

- Lean Manufacturing experience will be a plus.

- Bachelor’s degree in the electronics/electrical domain required (Engineers will be preferred)

- Master’s degree in operations or supply chain management will be a plus.

General Skills:

- Strong organisational skills – PLAN, ORGANISE, CONTROL culture

- Experience managing a business where systems and processes play a key role

- Ability to recruit good team members and develop people to their full potential

- Exposure to the solar or energy industry preferred but not essential

- Willingness and flexibility to travel

- Ability to independently understand, evaluate and assess strategic business and market opportunities with sound reliable financial judgement

- Strong influencing skills in managing key stakeholders

- Strong leadership ability and excellent project and time management skills

- Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English. Kannada and/or Hindi proficiency is required

- High degree of integrity

- Highly motivated and proactive, always looking for better ways to get the job done

- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and Google applications; experience with Inventory Control software is desired.

Contact:

Please submit your C.V. and cover letter to Simpa Networks (greatjobs@simpanetworks.com) for
consideration (reference “Manager, Supply Chain and Manufacturing” in the Subject line of your email).

In your cover letter, please tell us what about Simpa interests you, and how you can contribute to our company’s mission. Without a cover letter, your application will not be reviewed.

*Only short-listed candidates will be contacted to set up an interview. We hope to hear from you!