Regional Head – Planning and Logistics

Job Purpose

• The mandate will be to drive operational excellence, strengthen nationwide distribution capabilities, optimize logistics costs, enhance forecasting and planning effectiveness, and build a scalable logistics infrastructure to support the company’s next phase of growth and increasing localization agenda.
• The successful candidate will be expected to balance service excellence, cost efficiency, and supply chain agility while partnering closely with cross-functional stakeholders to ensure seamless execution across the value chain.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Leadership & Operational Excellence

• Define and execute the India logistics and planning strategy aligned with business and global supply chain objectives.
• Drive logistics cost optimization initiatives across warehousing, transportation, and distribution operations.
• Ensure high service levels, scalability, and operational agility to support rapid business growth.

Demand Planning & Inventory Management

• Lead end-to-end demand planning and forecasting processes in collaboration with sales and commercial teams.
• Optimize inventory levels, reduce slow-moving inventory, and improve working capital efficiency.
• Ensure timely stock availability and efficient allocation across regions and channels.

Warehousing & Distribution

• Lead warehouse network design and optimization across central and regional distribution centers.
• Improve warehousing productivity, throughput, and fulfilment efficiency.
• Drive seamless primary and secondary distribution execution across India.

Import, Export & Compliance

• Oversee customs clearance, freight forwarding, and import-export operations.
• Ensure adherence to statutory, customs, and foreign trade compliance requirements.
• Drive efficient shipping and packaging strategies for cost and service optimization.

Vendor & Stakeholder Management

• Lead procurement and performance management of logistics partners and service providers.
• Manage commercial negotiations, SLAs, and vendor performance improvement initiatives.
• Collaborate closely with internal cross-functional teams and global stakeholders.

Digitalization & Process Improvement

• Drive adoption of advanced systems including SAP, WMS, TMS, and analytics platforms.
• Leverage AI and technology-enabled tools for forecasting, inventory planning, and operational optimization.
• Champion continuous improvement, process standardization, and digital transformation initiatives.

Collaborative & Team Leadership

• Maintain strong internal collaboration with Controlling, Commercial, Purchase Order, Category Marketing, Sales, Finance, HR, Legal, Customer Service, and GSC-LO for demand planning, cost management, audits, compliance, and business planning.
• Externally, the role interfaces with Logistics Service Providers (LSPs), Forwarders, CHAs, OEMs, and other logistics partners for contract negotiations, operational performance, customs clearances, and supply assurance.
• Build and develop a high-performance logistics organization, fostering a culture of accountability, agility, and customer orientation.
• Drive capability building, succession planning, and team engagement.

Key Skills & Attributes

• Strong strategic orientation with the ability to translate strategy into execution.
• High accountability and decision-making agility.
• Entrepreneurial mindset with a focus on cost and service optimization.
• Strong stakeholder management across cross-functional and global teams.
• Advanced leadership and people development capabilities.
• Continuous improvement, innovation, and digital mindset.
• Hands-on, resilient, and execution-oriented leadership style.
• Self-driven and result-oriented.
• Strong negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Customer-centric approach.
• Excellent interpersonal skills.

Qualification & Experience

• Postgraduate degree or diploma in Supply Chain Management, Operations Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline.
• 15+ years of progressive leadership experience in logistics and supply chain management, with responsibility for large-scale, pan-India distribution networks encompassing warehousing, transportation, demand planning, inventory management, and order fulfilment.
• Strong expertise across customs clearance, freight forwarding, transportation management, import/export operations, regulatory compliance, and vendor management.
• Proven experience operating within an India-focused business environment while collaborating closely with regional and global supply chain organizations.
• Demonstrated track record of driving logistics cost optimization, operational excellence, network redesign, and supply chain transformation initiatives.
• Hands-on experience with SAP (WMS, MM, SD, and PP modules) and Transportation Management Systems (TMS).
• Exposure to AI-enabled forecasting, advanced analytics, digital supply chain technologies, and automation-led planning tools would be an advantage.
• Experience in high-growth, fast-paced, and high-pressure environments with the ability to manage complexity, ambiguity, and rapidly evolving business requirements.
• Strong leadership and stakeholder management capabilities with experience influencing cross-functional teams and external partners to deliver business outcomes.
• Prior exposure to consumer durables, FMCG, retail, e-commerce, or other distribution-intensive industries would be beneficial.