Sarath S
Bengaluru,KA
Summary
Strategic sourcing and procurement professional with 7.5+ years of experience, including nearly 5 years in Lithium-ion battery, cell, and EV component procurement and quality management. Leading cross-functional teams in supplier development, audits, price negotiations, and product quality for high-performance EV battery systems. Proven success working with multiple Chinese and Korean suppliers, handling end-to-end sourcing, compliance audits, and technical evaluations. Adept at building supplier relationships, leading cost-saving initiatives, and aligning sourcing with engineering and manufacturing goals.
Overview
8
8
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
Deputy Manager – New Product Development & Sourcing
Sun Mobility Pvt. Ltd.
07.2020 - Current
- Lead Purchasing and Quality teams for Lithium-ion cells, battery packs, mechanical components (busbars, plastics, thermals, sheet metal and HVAC) and electrical components (connectors).
- Spearheaded sourcing and quality of Lithium-ion cells for multiple generations of 2W, 3W, and bus battery platforms, including supplier selection, audits, and contract finalization.
- Managed end-to-end strategic sourcing: Conducted strategic supplier audits in India and China, including Supplier Assessment, PPAP, and Run@Rate audits, ensuring compliance with SOR and IATF 16949 standards.
- Negotiated pricing, lead time, and quality clauses with international suppliers, managing total cost of ownership. Conducted market research on commodity prices, translated it into FG price and led cost negotiations with Cell suppliers.
- Worked with suppliers to co-develop localized battery solutions, ensuring feasibility, cost targets, and manufacturability.
- Drafted Quality Agreements, Warranty Agreements, and Customer Specific Requirements.
- Optimized battery sizing and translated the requirements into pack and cell level technical requirements, including decision on cell chemistry, form factor, cycle life, cost & weight.
- Defined Performance, Safety test protocols & developed effective quality inspection plans for Lithium-ion cells in line with the regulatory standards to ensure robust validation & conformity to production.
- Analyzed battery field data to improve quality performance, reduced warranty claims using structured RCA/8D methods.
- Used ICSoft ERP system for procurement activities.
Supervisor – Mechanical Maintenance
SR Associates – BPCL Kochi Refinery
07.2017 - 11.2019
- Led preventive and breakdown maintenance for India’s largest public sector crude refinery.
- Developed and executed maintenance SOPs, checklists, and RCA reports.
Education
Bachelor of Technology - Mechanical Engineering
KMEA Engineering College
04.2017
Skills
- Strategic Sourcing (EV Components, Lithium-ion Batteries)
- Supplier Development (China, Korea, India)
- Contract Negotiations & Cost Reduction
- Quality Assurance (PPAP, DVP, APQP, RCA/8D)
- Regulatory Compliance (IATF 16949, AIS156)
- Operations management
- Team Leadership (Procurement & Quality Teams)
- Project Management & Cross-Functional Collaboration
Accomplishments
Awarded “Certificate of Business Excellence” (May 2023) for the development of Lithium-Ion cells for the latest generation of battery pack, going beyond the role limitations by leading Vendor selection, Assessment, negotiated Cost, Purchase, Quality, Warranty agreement’s, PPAP audit etc.
Additional Information
- Kerala Electrical and Allied Engineering - Structural Engineering Division
- Alampally Brothers Ltd. - LPG Cylinder Manufacturing
Certification
- TUV Rheinland: PG Diploma in Oil & Gas Piping Engineering
- Certified QA/QC Engineer – American Welding Society standards
- Level 2 NDT – ASNT
- VDA-FMEA, APQP, PPAP – Zero Defect Consultants
- PTC Creo, AutoCAD – CADOpt & CADD Centre
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY
English – Read, Write, Speak
Malayalam – Read, Write, Speak
Tamil – Speak
Hindi – Speak
Hobbies and Interests
Interest Areas: Motorcycling, Photography and Travelling.
Timeline
Deputy Manager – New Product Development & Sourcing
Sun Mobility Pvt. Ltd.
07.2020 - Current
Supervisor – Mechanical Maintenance
SR Associates – BPCL Kochi Refinery
07.2017 - 11.2019
Bachelor of Technology - Mechanical Engineering
KMEA Engineering College
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