Associate Director - Automotive Procurement & Cost Reduction

Location: Chennai (Hybrid)

Working Days: 5 Days a Week

Experience: 7 - 10 Years

Role Overview:

We are looking for an Associate Director - Automotive Procurement with hands-on experience in direct material sourcing, value engineering, and procurement cost optimization. The candidate should have experience in sourcing automotive components, negotiating with suppliers, and implementing cost reduction initiatives for automotive OEMs or 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. Strategic Sourcing:

- Execute strategic sourcing and category management initiatives for automotive direct materials.

- Identify suppliers, manage RFQs/RFPs, negotiate commercial terms, and finalize contracts.

2. Value Engineering & Analysis:

- Drive value engineering and value analysis across automotive components and assemblies.

- Conduct should-cost analysis and benchmarking to identify cost-saving opportunities.

- Implement cost reduction initiatives through design-to-cost, localization, alternate sourcing, and supplier productivity improvements.

- Identify and implement Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) improvements.

3. Supplier Management & Collaboration:

- Evaluate supplier capabilities, cost structures, and performance, and support supplier development.

- Negotiate component costs, tooling, investments, and long-term supplier agreements.

- Collaborate with procurement, engineering, manufacturing, and finance teams.

- Prepare client presentations, manage project workstreams, and mentor junior team members.

Technical Categories:

- Castings and Forgings

- Machined Components

- Sheet Metal and Fabricated Parts

- Plastics and Polymer Components

- Electrical and Electronic Components

- Interior and Exterior Systems

- Powertrain and Drivetrain Components

- Chassis and Suspension Systems

- Fasteners, Bearings, and Standard Parts

Required Qualifications:

1. Education:

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

- MBA: From a reputed institute, such as SP Jain, IIMs, or an equivalent institute, preferred.

2. Experience:

- Experience working with automotive OEMs, Tier-1/Tier-2 suppliers, engineering services firms, or consulting organizations.

- Strong understanding of automotive manufacturing processes and component cost structures.

- Must have hands-on experience in automotive sourcing, direct material purchasing, value engineering, and cost reduction across multiple categories.