Vilas Thawale
Head of Sourcing & Supply Chain - Access Strategy | Carrier Relations Management | Procurement
London, England, United Kingdom
Professional Overview
Vilas Thawale is an accomplished supply chain and sourcing professional with over 20 years of experience in the telecommunications industry. As the Head of Sourcing & Supply Chain at Tata Communications, he oversees strategic access, carrier relations, and procurement initiatives that drive operational efficiency and cost optimization across the global organization.
Experience Summary
Current Role
As Head of Sourcing & Supply Chain at Tata Communications, Vilas is responsible for developing and implementing effective access strategies, managing carrier relationships, and leading procurement processes. He has played a pivotal role in streamlining the company's supply chain, negotiating favorable terms with vendors, and implementing data-driven decision-making to enhance operational performance. Under his leadership, the sourcing and supply chain team has delivered significant cost savings and improved service delivery to Tata Communications' global client base.
Career Progression
Vilas began his career as a Senior Engineer in Network Design and Implementation at Tata Teleservices Ltd., where he gained valuable technical expertise in terrestrial and CDMA transmission systems. He then transitioned to Airtel Business, where he led the Projects and Offnet Acquisitions team. In 2007, Vilas joined Tata Communications as a Senior Manager in Network Acquisitions, overseeing both access and backbone network expansion. His consistent performance and strategic vision led to his promotion to the role of Head of Sourcing & Supply Chain in 2013, where he has continued to drive innovation and operational excellence.
Academic Background
Vilas holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Electronics and Telecommunications, leveraging his technical foundation to excel in his supply chain and sourcing roles.
Areas of Expertise
- Strategic sourcing and procurement
- Carrier relations and access strategy
- Supply chain optimization and cost reduction
- Data-driven decision-making and performance management
- Cross-functional collaboration and team leadership
Professional Impact
Under Vilas's leadership, Tata Communications has achieved a 15% reduction in network access costs through innovative sourcing strategies and improved vendor negotiations. He has also spearheaded the implementation of a centralized procurement platform, streamlining the company's global purchasing processes and enhancing visibility into spend analytics.
Conclusion
Vilas Thawale is a seasoned supply chain and sourcing professional with a proven track record of driving operational excellence and delivering measurable business impact in the telecommunications industry. His strategic vision, technical expertise, and collaborative approach have made him a valuable asset to Tata Communications as they continue to expand their global footprint and enhance service delivery to their clients.
