Ashwin Tirthakar

CEO

Gothenburg, Västra Götaland, Sweden20 yrs 6 mos experience

Most Likely To SwitchHighly Stable

Key Highlights

18+ years in global procurement leadership.
Expert in strategic sourcing and supplier partnerships.
Proven track record in cost excellence and risk mitigation.

Stackforce AI infers this person is a Senior Procurement Leader in Manufacturing with expertise in strategic sourcing and supplier management.

Contact

Skills

Core Skills

Strategic SourcingSupplier PartnershipsCost Leadership

Other Skills

Sourcing StrategyProject SourcingNegotiationsContract ManagementRisk MitigationCross-functional CollaborationsSpend & Financial ForecastingCost OptimizationLeadershipCommunication & PresentationMulti-Cultural ExposureKnowledge SharingMentoringBusiness StrategyPartnerships

About

I am a senior global procurement leader with 18+ years of experience driving strategic sourcing, cost excellence, and high‑impact supplier partnerships across Europe and Asia. My career spans complex technical portfolios— from engines, EATS and marine systems to electrical and thermal components— where I’ve led multi‑million‑euro spend, navigated global supply markets, and built resilient, future‑ready supply chains. I believe in purpose‑driven procurement: balancing cost, quality, and risk with sustainability, innovation, and long‑term value creation. I enjoy shaping strategies that enable business growth while strengthening supplier ecosystems and operational stability. My leadership style is collaborative, structured, and growth‑oriented. I work across cultures and functions to align stakeholders, develop teams, and turn challenges into opportunities. I have a strong record in contract negotiations, supplier development, digital procurement, cost transformation, and cross‑functional leadership. Today, I am focused on stepping into a Head of Procurement role where I can combine strategic thinking with hands‑on leadership to build agile, responsible, and future‑proof supply chains.

Experience

20 yrs 6 mos

Total Experience

5 yrs 2 mos

Average Tenure

13 yrs 11 mos

Current Experience

Volvo penta

2 roles

Global Segment Leader— Vendor Engines, Marine Transmissions, EATS, Cost Project

Promoted

Jun 2017 – Present · 8 yrs 11 mos · On-site

Defining and executing global segment strategies aligned with product roadmaps and business goals.
Leading project sourcing through strong cross-functional collaboration and alignment.
Identifying and developing long-term supplier partnerships to enhance supply chain resilience.
Establishing supplier collaboration frameworks and governance to improve performance.
Managing spend, ensuring cost transparency and supporting budgeting and forecasting.
Leading contract negotiations to ensure competitiveness, continuity, and risk mitigation.
Driving stakeholder alignment to improve efficiency, reduce complexity, and enable synergies.
Strengthening organizational capability through mentoring, knowledge sharing, and onboarding.
Delivering cost excellence via strategic negotiations, cost workshops, and data-driven initiatives.
Embedding a strong cost-focus culture through tools, templates, and best-practice frameworks.
Leading ICE Sunset risk evaluation and defining mitigation strategies during the energy transition.

Sourcing StrategyProject SourcingNegotiationsContract ManagementRisk MitigationCross-functional Collaborations+5

Global Lead Buyer— Starter Motors & Generators, Development Parts from India

Jun 2012 – Jun 2017 · 5 yrs · On-site

Led big ticket re-sourcing projects from India, driving significant material cost reductions.
Created logistical templates for long-distance suppliers in terms of set-up and agreements.
Earned recognition for exceptional supplier performance and fostering strong collaborative relationships
Promoted as Global Lead Buyer for Starter Motors and Alternators, based in India
Played a key role in localizing critical components in India to support strategic local assembly projects.

Bosch

Buyer- Preventive Quality Planning & Project Management

Apr 2010 – Aug 2012 · 2 yrs 4 mos · Bengaluru, Karnataka, India · On-site

Embarked on my journey as a purchasing professional, utilizing Bosch's processes, resources, and opportunities to learn, lead, and successfully deliver multiple sourcing and resourcing projects.

Maharashtra state electricity distribution company limited

Engineer, Unit-In-Charge

Jan 2005 – Aug 2008 · 3 yrs 7 mos · Nagpur Area, India · On-site

Led operations for a power distribution unit serving 50,000+ customers, planning, and compliance while managing a 12-member team and enhancing vendor and regulatory performance.