Onkar Waikar

About Onkar Waikar

I am a supply chain and distribution leader with 14+ years of experience leading complex operations across logistics, warehousing, inventory management, customer service, and end-to-end supply chain execution. Throughout my career at Tenaris, I have taken on increasing leadership responsibility across site, regional, and network-level roles, building a strong track record of improving service, optimizing cost, strengthening execution discipline, and developing high-performing teams.In my current role, I lead distribution strategy for a 7-site network across 5 states, with accountability for service, cost, safety, quality, and inventory performance across the U.S. region. My experience spans multi-site operations leadership, S & OP/IBP execution, logistics strategy, carrier management, working capital improvement, and operational digitalization. I enjoy translating operational complexity into structured routines, clear accountability, meaningful KPIs, and scalable business results.My leadership style is strategic, practical, and people focused. I believe strong performance comes from disciplined processes, cross-functional alignment, clear accountability, and a culture that develops people while raising performance standards.I hold an MBA in Supply Chain and Operations from the Kelley School of Business and a master’s degree in mechanical engineering. This combination of business education, technical foundation, and hands-on operating experience allows me to approach supply chain challenges with both strategic perspective and execution focus.Core leadership highlights: • Lead distribution strategy across a 7-site network spanning 5 states • Manage 220+ employees across leadership and frontline operations • Oversee $300M in inventory and $60M in logistics spend • Improved OTD from 83% to 97% through KPI governance and standardized execution • Delivered $2M in annual freight savings and reduced slow-moving inventory by $5M • Achieved $1M+ positive budget variance and reduced on-hand inventory by 12% • Maintained 99.97% inventory accuracy and improved invoicing throughput by $25M annuallyI am focused on leading high-performing supply chain organizations that improve service, strengthen execution, and create lasting business value.

Experience

1. Service & Distribution Senior Manager

   Tenaris

   Aug 2023 — Present · Houston, TX, US

   Spearheading distribution strategy for a 7-site network across 5 states, accountable for service, cost, safety, quality, and inventory performance across the U.S. region.· Leading 220+employees (8 managers; 220+hourly), driving leadership routines, labor planning, engagement, and performance/talent cycles to optimize productivity and retention.· Driving S & OP/IBP execution with Sales, Customer Service, Operations, and Finance to balance demand, capacity, and inventory targets; set allocation priorities and manage exceptions during constraints.· Managing $300M circulating inventory and working-capital outcomes; delivered a $5M reduction in slow-moving inventory through governance, segmentation, and disposition actions.· Own $60M logistics spend; develop lane strategy and lead carrier contracting (RFPs, SLAs) and scorecards, delivering $2M annual freight savings while protecting service levels.· Overseeing order fulfillment & last-mile delivery, enhancing execution & digitalization for improved visibility & efficiency. Achieved +$1M positive budget variance in service center spending.· Improved customer service and execution performance by increasing OTD from 83% to 97% through standardized processes, KPI governance, and site-level accountability.

Education

• Savitribai Phule Pune University

  Bachelor's Degree, Mechanical Engineering

  2006 — 2009

• Lamar University

  Master of Engineering - MEng, Mechanical Engineering

• Indiana University - Kelley School of Business

  Master of Business Administration - MBA