Manager - Automotive Procurement & Cost Reduction

Job Title: Manager - Automotive Procurement & Cost Reduction

Location: Chennai (Hybrid, 5 days working)

Experience: 7 - 10 years

Role Overview:

We are looking for a Manager - Automotive Procurement with hands-on experience in direct materials sourcing, value engineering, and procurement cost optimization. The candidate should have sourced automotive components, negotiated with suppliers, and delivered cost reduction programs for OEMs or automotive suppliers.

Mandatory Skills:

• Procurement
• Costing
• Sourcing
• Vendor Development
• Manufacturing
• Process Engineering
• MED
• Product Development
• Six Sigma
• Operations Excellence
• Value Engineering
• Cost Reduction

Key Responsibilities:

1. Execute sourcing and category management initiatives for automotive direct materials:

• Run supplier identification, RFQ/RFP management, commercial negotiations, and contract finalization.

2. Carry out value engineering and value analysis across components and assemblies:

3. Conduct should-cost analysis and benchmarking to identify savings opportunities:

4. Deliver cost reduction through design-to-cost, localization, alternate sourcing, and supplier productivity improvements:

5. Identify and implement total cost of ownership (TCO) improvements:

6. Evaluate supplier capabilities, cost structures, and performance, and support supplier development:

7. Support negotiations on cost, tooling, investments, and long-term agreements:

8. Work with procurement, engineering, manufacturing, and finance teams in client workshops:

9. Prepare client presentations, manage workstreams, and mentor junior team members:

Category Expertise:

Castings and forgings, machined components, sheet metal and fabricated parts, plastics and polymers, electrical and electronic components, interior and exterior systems, powertrain and drivetrain, chassis and suspension, fasteners, bearings, and standard parts.

Required Qualifications:

1. B.E./B.Tech. in Mechanical, Automobile, Production, Industrial, Manufacturing, or a related field:

2. MBA from a reputed institute (S P Jain, IIMs, or equivalent) preferred:

3. 7 - 10 years in automotive procurement, sourcing, supply chain, or cost optimization:

• Experience with automotive OEMs, Tier-1 suppliers, engineering services firms, or consulting organizations.

4. Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing processes and component cost structures:

5. Must have worked in an automotive sourcing function, buying direct material parts and delivering value engineering and cost reduction across multiple categories: