Manisha Swain
Program leader with over 14 years of work experience in the automotive industry, specializing in program management, operational excellence, and new product development for both internal combustion and electric vehicle platforms. They demonstrate a strong proficiency in leading end-to-end project lifecycles, from greenfield plant installations to large-scale cost optimization and supply chain strategy. Currently an MBA candidate at IIM Ahmedabad, they leverage a mechanical engineering background to drive data-informed decision-making and cross-functional alignment among senior stakeholders.
Work Experience:
14 years and 10 months Years
Industry:
Program Management
Function:
Manufacturing & Engineering
Program Manager- New Product Development, Bajaj Auto Ltd. (Feb-2022- Present)
• Enabled Chetak EV volume growth from ~2000/yr to ~25000/yr along with cost reduction and improved contribution margins by leading major cost-optimization programs, driving product benchmarking and change management.
• Translated top level product strategies into executable program plans across functions and led cross functional change initiatives to ensure timely launch of new electric vehicle platforms while ensuring regular communications for alignment.
• Identified risks, defined mitigation strategies, and secured buy-ins from all major stakeholders for strategy execution.
• Collaborated with procurement and finance to create variant wise contribution analysis for selection of right product features for each variant.
• Drove competitor benchmarking for key performance gaps, differentiating product features and price gaps along with marketing feedback for customer perception for better insights for decision-making.
Project Management, Operational Excellence and Supply chain management- Maruti Suzuki India Ltd. (June 2011- January 2022)
• Owned end to end project delivery for new engine assembly plants (greenfield projects) and new model introduction in existing plant (brownfield projects) from layout till installation.
• Formulated capex requirement plans, schedule, and budget requirement plans based on future volume growth and ROI required by maintaining the right balance between quality, budget, and automation.
• Designed experiments for parameter optimisations in machines to reduce operational breakdowns and led process benchmarking and horizontal implementation of solutions.
• Developed multiple operator friendly solutions and enhanced traceability and interlocking architecture for improved ergonomics, better product quality, and reduced failure modes in PFMEA analysis.
• Conducted debottlenecking and lean improvements for efficiency improvement and energy saving initiatives.
• Managed the procure to pay cycle ensuring compliance, efficiency, FTA benefits while optimising negotiation strategy for complex capex procurements worth more than twenty billion Rs. through zero based estimation and past reference database saving 6-7% on quoted offer.
Overall, contributed to a decade long growth cycle of Maruti Suzuki (1 million per year to 10 million per year volume) by leading new capacity additions for Engine plants and large scale capex procurement programs.
• Received GEM (“Go the Extra Mile”) award in Bajaj Auto – 2 times within 3 years
• Won second place in regional round of National Management Games (Chankya Business Simulation) – 2019
• 15th rank in the state in 12th Standard-2007
• Won the first prize in the state in Uranium Talent Search-2004 and was awarded by the Governor
- MBA , Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad, 2024–26
- B.Tech (Mechanical Engineering), NIT Rourkela, 2011
- Jombay’s 1000 women leaders-2023
- Design Thinking for Innovation-Coursera- 2021