Network & NPI Planning SME Lead

Job Family Group: Procurement & Supply Chain Management Group Job Description: This is a role within the Castrol organisation and the successful candidate will become part of the Castrol ring-fence. If you are part of the ring-fence, it is expected that your employment will move with Castrol to new ownership. Castrol is a global leader in lubricants and part of the bp Group, one of the world’s largest energy companies. In India, Castrol is a publicly listed company, leading in the Automotive, Industrial, and Marine lubricant sectors. With iconic brands, relentless innovation, strong customer relationships, and a team of highly motivated employees, we have maintained our market leadership in India for over a century. Our robust manufacturing and distribution network in India helps us reach consumers through more than 135,000 outlets. At Castrol, success knows no bounds. We offer a fast-paced learning environment where you can develop your career, whether in specialized functions or on a general management track. Castrol India has a proud legacy of championing top talent for leadership roles, both locally and globally. At Castrol, success knows no bounds. We offer a fast-paced learning environment where you can develop your career, whether in specialized functions or on a general management track. Castrol India has a proud legacy of championing top talent for leadership roles, both locally and globally. Job Purpose: Determine optimum sourcing & manufacturing strategies to maximize value and ensure effective implementation of product portfolio changes across market in close collaboration with NPI Planning, Supply Planning, Procurement, and Operations. Lead and coordinate Supply Chain related to Network Optimization initiatives ensuring accurate, on time and complete implementation plan in place including manufacturing and sourcing decisions, risk assessments, mitigation plans, and stock impact projections when required. Own and maintain the Network Optimization roadmap, ensuring alignment with the broader portfolio, NPI, and supply chain transformation agenda. Partner with the NPI Planner to define sourcing locations, manufacturing strategies, and network requirements for new product introductions, ensuring supply continuity, cost efficiency, and operational readiness. Build the Network Optimization roadmap and link it within the wider scope of change activities within the supply chain. Support rapid response to tenders and business opportunities by evaluating network capabilities, sourcing options, and supply chain impacts. Secure continuity of the Network Optimization activities through backup for and support of the rest of the team Key Accountabilities: Lead end-to-end supply chain network optimization, constantly evaluating and identifying improvement opportunities Evaluate sourcing options and lead on make/buy decisions. Support new product sourcing decisions and product flow across the network Collaborate with global NPI and Net Ops teams to drive optimum balance between tactical and critical initiatives. Manages RCCP and long-range planning (>6M) with the supply planning integrators to identify capacity bottlenecks and sourcing opportunities to help direct capex investment in plants Collaborate with costing teams to assess financial impacts of scenarios Work across multiple sites and teams across a wide geography to ensure that all information required to support the NPI supply chain processes are available in full and on time. Respond to fast changing environment. Participate in tenders by providing manufacturing and distribution feasibility inputs. Collaborate with all Planning teams to ensure that new ways of working for NetOps are compatible with planning optimization. Collaborate with selected Marketing, Technology, Regional and Business contacts to ensure cross business alignment. Key Performance Indicators: Summary Decision Rights Evaluate, Identify and implement product sourcing opportunities by following agreed sourcing RAPID Propose options to NPI sourcing to improve KPI performance Propose sourcing options to Tender submission to balance Cost and service. KPIs Reached/missed project achievements and deadlines (% NetOps initiatives delivered on time) Post-project review about achieved intentions Value delivery: Annualized savings /value delivered % sourcing recommendations completed on time Inventory impact: Reduction in excess / obsolete risk due to source change Stakeholder satisfaction / governance adherence What you will need to be successful: Master's degree or equivalent experience. Knowledge and experience of Network Optimization and Lifecycle management and a good understanding of end-to-end processes 8 to 12 years of experience in product planning processes Expert knowledge and use of ERP/SAP and other applicable digital tools High degree of computer literacy including advanced knowledge of Excel spreadsheets and business reporting tools. Knowledge in network optimization tools like O