Ajay Deshpande

Spearheaded end-to-end supply chain transformation as executive P&L owner across three locations, driving a 3% reduction in procurement costs on ₹110 Cr annual spend within 6 months. Implemented ERP with AI-driven demand forecasting, reducing forecast error by 20%, and managed capex expansions for machining/grinding lines.

Directed and mentored 8 sourcing professionals across 6 plant locations with ₹660 Cr annual procurement spend, delivering cumulative cost savings of ₹55 Cr over 6 years through zero-based costing and supplier consolidation. Improved supplier on-time delivery up to 90% via JIT/VMI programs and led China sourcing strategy achieving 8–12% cost advantage.

Led full plant operations with P&L accountability, reducing in-house rejection rate by 6% by improving customer quality performance against zero-defect KRA. Executed capex retrofit and used-equipment installations, delivering projects 35% under budget, while implementing a structured team development framework.

Championed India-based global sourcing strategy for EMEA and Americas by qualifying 20+ global vendors across casting, forging, and sheet metal, achieving 16%+ savings vs. global benchmarks. Managed NPD from design review to SOP for multiple categories and executed supplier improvement plans to de-risk supply chain.

Unified multi-plant supply chain team during GM Halol acquisition integration, achieving 98% OTD for FCM, cradle, and rear suspension modules. Drove global commodity sourcing strategy for chassis sheet metal fabrications and structural forgings.

Built a vendor base from scratch for bearing manufacturing and hot forging units, establishing end-to-end sourcing capability for ring rolling and hammer forging. Managed China sourcing and import operations for greenfield expansion.

Led indigenisation, VAVE, and SPM development activities while managing contract negotiation and import procurement across electrical and control panel components. Supported roller bearing development and helped reduce dependency on imported items through development of indigenised components.

Managed full procurement cycle for motor parts and API-standard pump projects (1HP–400HP), applying BOM management and zero-based costing. Drove indigenisation of imported components to reduce procurement costs and improve supply reliability.

Earned a B.E. in Mechanical Engineering from Abhinav Education Society in Pune.

Completed a Diploma in Business Management (DBM) as a postgraduate program under IBMR associated with the University of Pune.

Earned a B.Sc. in Electronics from the University of Pune in Pune.