Brajendra Patel

Supply chain and procurement professional focused on sourcing, purchasing, and vendor management for automotive, farm equipment, and construction equipment manufacturing, with strong exposure to engine, process industries, and genset businesses. Keen to apply expertise in strategic sourcing, raw material procurement, CAPEX buying, and inventory management to strengthen plant-wide purchase operations and supply continuity.

Senior

Sourcing & Procurement Specialist with 28+ years of experience in automotive, farm equipment, and manufacturing, focusing on strategic purchasing, cost control, and supply chain optimization across multi-plant operations. Expert in raw material, engineering items, CAPEX, and MRO procurement, with strong exposure to engine, genset, and component sourcing. Proven record of cost reduction through value analysis, value engineering, and zero-based costing, including notable savings via weight reduction of flywheel housing, steel cost cuts in the toothed ring, and high-value spares optimization.

Strong vendor development and supplier performance focus, covering more than 500 components with PPAP, PFMEA, ISO/TS 16949, VMI, KANBAN, and SAP MM usage. Known for logistics and inventory optimization, achieving Milk Run logistics models, VMI for B & C class items, and inventory reduction. Recognized for excellence in quality and TQM, contributing to the Deming Prize-winning material function, and earning awards for cost saving, canopy innovation, and forging optimization.

Technically strong in SAP MM, AutoCAD, and advanced material management practices, supported by training in Kaizen, 5S, SQC tools, ISO auditing, and milk run systems.

Senior Manager - Purchase Head at Merino Industries Ltd. (2019-07 – Present)

• Own end-to-end plant purchasing covering raw materials, engineering/maintenance spares, packaging materials, project CAPEX, proprietary parts, and service contracts for operations
• Lead vendor development and supplier performance programs, including audits, onboarding, and periodic evaluations to future-proof supply and improve quality, delivery, and cost
• Formulate procurement strategies, annual purchase plans, and sourcing roadmaps aligned with production, inventory, and cost objectives; drive adherence through robust MIS
• Implement innovative sourcing and alternate vendor strategies for critical materials to mitigate risk, improve lead times, and enhance negotiation leverage
• Drive VA/VE and cost improvement initiatives with suppliers (sheet metal, fabrication, machining, brackets, proprietary parts) and internal stakeholders; support design-to-cost decisions
• Manage logistics and domestic transportation models, including Milk Run, to improve vehicle utilization and reduce freight cost and lead time
• Implement supplier rating and appraisal, corrective action plans, and continuous improvement using ISO, PPAP, and other quality tools.
• Coordinate closely with HO for capital approvals, procurement policies, and regular management reviews, presenting RM schedule adherence, inventory levels, and scrap selling updates.
• Reduced domestic logistics cost by about 10% through implementation and optimization of a Milk Run vehicle concept for key supply routes
• Established an online PO approval system, significantly improving cycle time, traceability, and compliance in purchasing
• Implemented service PO through SRQ and introduced a structured VMI model for store consumables, improving availability while reducing internal handling effort
• Brought transit damage of paper rolls down to negligible levels by redesigning packaging, selecting suitable close-body trucks, and reallocating responsibility with transporters

Manager-Material at Mahindra & Mahindra Ltd. (2007-06 – 2019-06)

Growth Path: Assistant Manager - Material (Jun 2007 - Jul 2009) ➔ Dy. Manager-Material (Aug 2009 - Jul 2012) ➔ Manager-Material (Aug 2012 – Jun 2019)

• Led sourcing and procurement of BOPs, proprietary components, operational spares, and store-controlled items, including mechanical, electrical, electronic, and packing materials
• Managed complete material planning and MRP execution for engine and genset assembly, ensuring availability as per production plans while optimizing inventory
• Executed MYB projects, standardizing engine and genset harnesses, and reducing panel cost, coupled with lead-time reduction
• Drove vendor development for castings, machining, harnesses, panels, sheet metal, and critical engineered components, including supplier audits, PPAP, and quality approvals
• Conducted cost reduction and productivity improvement initiatives through VA/VE, standardization, second sourcing, zero-based costing, and policy deployment frameworks
• Implemented supplier rating, appraisal, and upgradation plans using ISO/TS, PPAP, TPM, and TQM tools
• Played a key role in SAP customization for scrap selling and material processes, improving transparency and control
• Won the Deming Prize in Nov 2014 from JUSE, Japan
• Reduced inventory coverage from 7 days to 3 days, using VMI for B & C class components
• Achieved notable cost reductions in bought-out parts and high-value maintenance spares through strong negotiation, second sourcing, and cost-structure analysis.
• Received the On-the-Spot Achievement Award for successful new canopy development
• Reduced domestic logistics cost by around 5% by introducing and optimizing a Milk Run vehicle model for supplier pickups
• Established Kanban systems across Pune, Delhi, and Nagpur plants
• Led SAP-based scrap selling process customization for Pune and Nagpur
• Supported policy deployment, PDCA, DWM, and gap analysis activities under the TPM journey

Senior Engineer at Gajra Gears Pvt. Ltd. (1998-06 – 2007-05)

Growth Path: Assistant Engineer (Jun 1998 - Dec 2000) ➔ Engineer (Jan 2001 - Dec 2004) ➔ Senior Engineer (Jan 2005 – May 2007)

• Took responsibility for vendor deployment for gear manufacturing, including tooling, machine blanks, machining processes, and quality assurance
• Developed approximately 500 components at the vendor end, spanning castings, CNC machining, heat treatment, sheet metal, and precision-engineered parts
• Interpreted engineering drawings, reviewed specifications, and prepared process layouts for differential housings, gearbox covers, epicyclic bodies, shafts, planetary cages, jigs, fixtures, and gauges
• Coordinated with vendors for PPAP, PFMEA, and process stabilization, building robust supply bases for critical components
• Received the Best Kaizen Award for forging cost reduction of a sleeve-type component
• Achieved steel cost reduction in a volatile market by developing second sources and applying rigorous negotiation tactics
• Improved the productivity of an in-house part by over 20% through innovative process improvements and optimization of tooling and methods

Mechanical Engineer at BETA Securities Ltd. (1995-10 – 1998-05)

Growth Path: GET (0ct 1995 - Oct 1996) ➔ Mechanical Engineer (Oct 1996 - May 1998)

• Gained exposure to heavy engineering fabrication for the automobile and chemical industries
• Supported fabrication, assembly, and quality processes for large engineered structures and components

PGDBM in Production & Operations Management – Symbiosis, Pune, India (2010 – 2010)

BE in Mechanical – SATI (Barkatullah University), Bhopal, India