Head - Sales & Operations Planning

Job Summary:

Ola Electric is building a vertically integrated EV ecosystem spanning vehicle platforms, battery technology, and large-scale manufacturing. To support business growth and operational excellence, we are seeking a strategic and technology-driven Head of S&OP to architect and lead an integrated, data-driven Sales & Operations Planning ecosystem.

This role will drive alignment across market demand, production capacity, supply readiness, inventory, and financial objectives to enable agile decision-making, cost efficiency, and customer fulfillment.

We are looking for a digitally savvy, technically strong leader with a deep understanding of AI, advanced analytics, and intelligent planning systems who can transform traditional S&OP processes into a predictive, responsive, and technology-enabled planning engine.

The ideal candidate will combine strong S&OP expertise with the ability to implement AI-driven forecasting, scenario modelling, automated planning, and real-time decision-support capabilities, translating technology into measurable improvements in forecast accuracy, inventory efficiency, capacity utilization, and supply reliability.

Key Responsibilities:

A. S&OP Strategy & Governance:

- Define and lead the enterprise S&OP roadmap aligned with business growth, product launches, manufacturing capacity, and financial objectives.

- Own the monthly S&OP cycle, including demand consensus, supply balancing, inventory reviews, financial alignment, and executive decision-making.

- Establish planning governance, review cadences, accountability, and KPI frameworks across functions.

- Drive adoption of integrated digital S&OP platforms to enable real-time visibility, collaborative planning, and faster decisions.

B. AI-Led Demand Forecasting & Planning

- Leverage AI/ML, predictive analytics, and statistical modelling to improve demand forecasting, identify market trends, and anticipate demand variability.

- Integrate sales, channel, market, product, and historical demand signals to develop accurate and dynamic forecasts.

- Implement intelligent forecasting models that continuously improve through actual demand, forecast error analysis, and changing market conditions.

- Explore generative AI and AI-enabled decision-support tools to automate planning insights, exception analysis, and management reporting.

- Establish measurable improvements in forecast accuracy, forecast bias, and planning cycle time.

C. Integrated Supply, Capacity & Production Planning

- Synchronize demand with production capacity, procurement, supplier readiness, logistics, and material availability across manufacturing sites.

- Collaborate with Manufacturing, Engineering, Procurement, and Operations teams to align production plans with demand and capacity constraints.

- Drive integrated planning across vehicle manufacturing, battery cells, battery packs, and critical component supply chains.

- Use advanced planning systems and predictive analytics to identify bottlenecks, optimize capacity utilization, and improve schedule adherence.

- Enable scenario-based planning for production ramp-ups, new product launches, and changes in demand or supply conditions.

D. Inventory, Fulfillment & Cost Optimization:

- Optimize raw material, work-in-progress (WIP), and finished goods inventory while maintaining service levels and OTIF performance.

- Establish inventory policies covering safety stocks, lead times, buffers, and allocation across channels and manufacturing locations.

- Balance inventory investment, production efficiency, customer fulfillment, and working capital objectives.

- Use data analytics and AI-driven recommendations to reduce excess inventory, prevent shortages, improve inventory turns, and minimize obsolescence.

- Drive continuous improvement in plan adherence, material availability, and fulfillment performance.

E. Digital Transformation & Scenario Modelling:

- Define and implement a digital S&OP roadmap covering planning systems, analytics, automation, and integrated decision support.

- Develop digital control-tower capabilities for real-time visibility into demand, supply, inventory, capacity, and operational risks.

- Leverage digital twins, simulation, and scenario modelling to evaluate capacity expansion, product launches, demand shifts, and supply disruptions.

- Partner with IT, Data Science, and business teams to translate planning challenges into scalable AI-enabled solutions.

- Drive adoption of digital tools across planning teams and establish clear metrics to measure business impact.

F. Risk Management & Cross-Functional Leadership

- Identify supply-demand mismatches, capacity constraints, material shortages, and operational risks through predictive monitoring and early-warning mechanisms.

- Lead cross-functional recovery plans for supply disruptions, production deviations, and demand surges.

- Act as the central coordination point across Sales, Marketing, Manufacturing, Procurement, Finance, Logistics, and Program Management.

- Present data-driven trade-offs and actionable recommendations to executive leadership.

- Build and mentor a high-performing S&OP organization with strong planning, analytics, and digital capabilities.

3. Required Skills & Qualifications:

Education:

- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain, or a related discipline.

- MBA or APICS/CPIM/CSCP certification preferred.

Experience:

- 15+ years of experience in S&OP, supply chain planning, demand and supply management, or operations leadership.

- Proven track record of leading integrated planning across complex product portfolios and large-scale manufacturing operations.

- Experience in automotive, EV, consumer electronics, batteries, or high-mix manufacturing preferred.

- Demonstrated experience in digital transformation, advanced planning systems, analytics, or AI-enabled planning initiatives.

Technical & Digital Expertise:

- Strong understanding of demand forecasting, supply planning, capacity modelling, inventory optimization, and financial planning.

- Proven ability to apply AI/ML, predictive analytics, and statistical modelling to demand and supply planning.

- Experience with advanced planning systems (APS), ERP/SCM platforms, and digital S&OP tools such as SAP IBP, Kinaxis, or Blue Yonder.

- Familiarity with digital twins, simulation, scenario planning, and automated decision-support systems.

- Strong analytical capabilities in forecast accuracy, inventory performance, capacity utilization, working capital, and cost-to-serve.

- Ability to bridge business requirements and technology implementation, driving adoption and measurable outcomes from digital initiatives.

Leadership Attributes:

Strategic, data-driven, and technically sound, with strong execution capabilities.

Excellent cross-functional collaboration and executive stakeholder management.

Ability to make complex demand-supply trade-offs under pressure.

Strong change management capabilities and a track record of building high-performing teams.

Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, high-growth, and ambiguous environment.

4. Preferred Attributes & Success Measures

Preferred Attributes:

- Experience in vertically integrated manufacturing and multi-site supply chain operations.

- Exposure to EVs, battery cells, battery packs, and complex component ecosystems.

- Experience leading AI-enabled planning transformation and implementing digital S&OP platforms.

- Success in new product launches, manufacturing scale-ups, and capacity expansion programs.

Key Success Measures:

- Improved forecast accuracy and reduced forecast bias.

- Increased production plan adherence and capacity utilization.

- Improved OTIF performance and material availability.

- Optimized inventory turns, working capital, and excess inventory.

- Reduced planning cycle time and faster resolution of supply-demand exceptions.

- Successful adoption of AI-enabled forecasting, scenario modelling, and digital planning tools.

- Improved cross-functional alignment and decision-making speed.

The Ideal Candidate: A forward-thinking S&OP leader who combines deep planning expertise, manufacturing understanding, and strong AI/digital capabilities to build a predictive, integrated, and agile planning ecosystem for Ola Electric.