Description

Job Purpose To manage the end-to-end raw material planning, sourcing coordination, supplier development, inventory management, incoming quality, and availability of critical materials required for Lithium-ion battery cell manufacturing. The role will ensure timely availability of materials while maintaining quality, cost, inventory, and supply continuity.

Key Responsibilities 1.

Raw Material

Planning

- Develop and execute raw-material plans based on production schedules, demand forecasts, and manufacturing requirements.
- Ensure timely availability of critical raw materials for uninterrupted cell production.
- Coordinate with Production, Planning, Procurement, R&D; and Quality teams for material requirements.
- Monitor material consumption, shortages, excess inventory, and future requirements.
- Establish appropriate safety-stock and reorder levels for critical materials.

2.

Battery Cell Raw Materials

Manage and coordinate requirements for key materials such as:

- Cathode active materials – LFP, NMC and other chemistries
- Anode materials – Graphite, Silicon/Graphite and related materials
- Lithium salts and electrolyte materials
- Conductive additives
- Binders
- Solvents
- Copper and aluminium foils
- Separator films
- Current collectors
- Packaging materials
- Cell cans/pouches and other cell components

3. Supplier Management & Development
- Identify, evaluate and develop suppliers for critical battery raw materials.
- Coordinate with Procurement for supplier selection, negotiations, contracts and commercial terms.
- Work with Supplier Quality to conduct supplier qualification and audits.
- Monitor supplier performance on quality, cost, delivery and responsiveness.




- Develop alternate suppliers for critical/raw materials to reduce supply-chain risks.
- Maintain supplier performance dashboards and conduct periodic reviews.

4. Incoming Material Quality
- Coordinate with Quality teams to establish specifications and acceptance criteria for raw materials.
- Ensure incoming materials are inspected and released as per defined specifications.
- Review supplier COA, test reports and material certifications.
- Address quality deviations, material rejections and supplier-related issues.
- Lead supplier corrective actions and Root Cause Analysis for recurring quality problems.

5. Inventory Management
- Monitor raw-material inventory levels and optimize working capital.
- Track material ageing, shelf life, expiry and storage conditions.
- Ensure proper FIFO/FEFO practices wherever applicable.
- Identify slow-moving, excess and obsolete inventory.
- Drive inventory reduction without impacting production continuity.
- Maintain appropriate inventory for critical and long-lead-time materials.

6. Material Cost Management
- Track raw-material cost trends and support cost-reduction initiatives.
- Analyse material consumption and yield.
- Identify opportunities for value engineering and material optimization.
- Work with Procurement and R&D; on alternate materials and cost-effective specifications.




- Monitor commodity and raw-material price movements relevant to battery manufacturing.

7. Recent Product / Cell Project Support
- Support raw-material readiness for new cell development and production projects.
- Coordinate material requirements during pilot production, trials and mass-production ramp-up.
- Support qualification of new raw materials and alternate suppliers.
- Ensure availability of materials during technology transfer and production scale-up.
- Coordinate with R&D; for material trials and validation.

8. Logistics & Supply Continuity
- Coordinate with suppliers, logistics and warehouse teams for timely material movement.
- Monitor shipment schedules and potential supply disruptions.
- Track international/imported raw materials and associated documentation where applicable.
- Develop contingency plans for critical materials.
- Ensure proper storage and handling conditions for sensitive materials.

9. Warehouse & Material Control
- Establish systems for receipt, identification, storage and issue of raw materials.
- Ensure proper material traceability from supplier to production.
- Coordinate cycle counts and physical inventory reconciliation.
- Ensure appropriate storage conditions for moisture-sensitive, temperature-sensitive and hazardous materials.
- Maintain accurate ERP/SAP material master and inventory records.

10. Cross-Functional Coordination
- Work closely with:
- Procurement
- Supply Chain
- Production
- Planning
- Quality
- R&D;
- Warehouse
- Finance
- EHS

- Participate in daily/weekly material review meetings.
- Escalate critical material shortages and supply risks to senior management.

📌 Manager - Raw Material (India)
🏢 Vikram Solar
📍 India