New Product Introduction (NPI)

Job Title: Supply Chain / New Product Introduction (NPI) Experience: 5-15 Years Location: Mumbai Job Summary We are looking for an experienced Supply Chain / New Product Introduction (NPI) Team Lead to manage end-to-end supply planning and network operations for an assigned product area or category. The role will be responsible for leading a team of supply planning professionals, ensuring supply continuity, inventory availability, planning data accuracy, supplier coordination, and effective execution of supply chain processes. The individual will also support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities by aligning product development and operational readiness with business requirements, coordinating launch activities across relevant functions, and ensuring supply chain readiness to support successful product launches and reduced time-to-market. The role requires strong analytical, problem-solving, stakeholder management, and team leadership capabilities, along with the ability to operate effectively in a fast-paced and changing environment. Key Responsibilities 1. Team Leadership & Operations Lead day-to-day activities of Analysts and Senior Analysts involved in supply planning and supply chain operations. Ensure timely and accurate execution of supply planning activities in line with agreed service levels and performance metrics. Conduct regular performance reviews, provide coaching, and support team capability development. Promote knowledge sharing, cross-training, and a continuous learning culture within the team. Ensure adequate backup and business continuity plans are in place for critical activities. 2. Supply Planning & Inventory Management Execute end-to-end supply planning activities for the assigned product area/category. Monitor inventory levels, supply availability, production requirements, and service levels. Identify and proactively manage supply constraints, shortages, excess inventory, and other supply risks. Coordinate with demand planning, procurement, manufacturing, logistics, and other stakeholders to resolve supply exceptions. Ensure products are available in line with customer and business requirements. Support inventory optimization while balancing service, cost, and supply risks. 3. New Product Introduction (NPI) Support supply chain readiness for new product launches. Align product design, development, and launch activities with business and supply chain objectives. Assess supply requirements, capacity, sourcing, inventory, and operational readiness for new products. Coordinate with cross-functional teams to ensure timely completion of launch-related activities. Identify potential supply chain risks during the NPI process and develop mitigation plans. Support launch execution across sales, distribution, manufacturing, procurement, and logistics channels. Contribute to reducing time-to-market by ensuring operational and supply chain readiness before product launch. 4. Supplier & Cross-Functional Coordination Coordinate with suppliers and sourcing teams to ensure continuity of supply. Work closely with demand and supply planning teams to align requirements and supply availability. Collaborate with procurement, manufacturing, logistics, quality, finance, sales, and other business functions. Drive timely resolution of supplier issues, supply constraints, and operational exceptions. Maintain strong working relationships with internal and external stakeholders. 5. Master Data & Planning Systems Maintain accurate planning parameters and master data required for reliable supply planning. Ensure data quality, system discipline, and adherence to master data governance standards. Identify and resolve data-related issues that may impact planning outputs. Ensure accurate documentation, version control, and adherence to standard operating procedures. Support effective utilization of ERP, supply planning, and digital planning platforms. 6. Digital Transformation & Continuous Improvement Drive adoption of digital planning tools, analytics dashboards, automation, and reporting solutions. Identify opportunities to automate manual activities and improve planning efficiency. Analyze operational processes to identify gaps, inefficiencies, and opportunities for improvement. Participate in continuous improvement and process optimization initiatives. Develop data-driven insights to improve supply chain responsiveness, accuracy, and operational performance. 7. Performance Management & Reporting Monitor key supply chain performance indicators and service delivery metrics. Provide regular performance updates and data-driven insights to leadership and stakeholders. Track supply risks, exceptions, inventory performance, and planning accuracy. Escalate critical issues with appropriate recommendations and mitigation plans. Support management decision-making through accurate and timely analysis. Key Skills & Competencies Supply Chain Skills Supply Planning Demand & Supply Planning Inventory Management Production Planning Material Planning / MRP Procurement & Sourcing Coordination Supplier Management Supply Chain Network Operations New Product Introduction (NPI) Product Launch Readiness Supply Chain Risk Management Master Data Management Supply Chain Performance Management Preferred Experience Candidates with experience in the following areas would be preferred: 5+ years of experience in Supply Chain, Supply Planning, NPI, Operations, or related functions. Experience leading or managing a team of supply chain/planning professionals. Hands-on experience in supply planning and inventory management. Experience supporting New Product Introduction or product launch activities. Experience working with suppliers and cross-functional teams. Experience in ERP and supply chain planning systems. Exposure to digital supply chain transformation, automation, and analytics. Experience managing supply constraints, exceptions, and operational risks. Experience working in a global or multi-location supply chain environment. VDart: Digital Consulting & Staffing Solutions VDart is a leading digital consulting and staffing company founded in 2007 and headquartered in Alpharetta, Georgia. VDart is one of the top staffing companies in USA & also provides technology solutions, supporting businesses in their digital transformation journey. Digital consulting services, Digital consulting agency Core Services: - Digital consulting and transformation solutions - Comprehensive staffing services (contract, temporary, permanent placements) - Talent management and workforce solutions - Technology implementation services Key Industries: VDart primarily serves industries such as automotive and mobility, banking and finance, healthcare and life sciences, and energy and utilities. VDart - Products, Competitors, Financials, Employees, Headquarters Locations Notable Partnership: VDart Digital has been a consistently strong supplier for Toyota since 2017 Digital Transformation Consulting & Strategy Services | VDart Digital, demonstrating their capability in large-scale digital transformation projects. With over 17 years of experience, VDart combines staffing expertise with technology solutions to help organizations modernize their operations and build skilled workforce capabilities across multiple sectors.