- Lead the sourcing and vendor development of critical metal-based commodities.

- Your mission is to identify, qualify, and onboard high-caliber suppliers, build cost-optimized - partnerships, and develop a sustainable vendor ecosystem-without engaging in transactional day-to-day procurement.

Responsibilities:

- Identify, qualify, and onboard new vendors for critical commodities (e. , stampings, copper, sheet metal, black bar, pig iron, EN8 rod).

- Conduct market research, site visits, capability assessments, and ensure alignment with quality and delivery standards.

- Develop and implement sourcing strategies using Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) and Zero Based Costing (ZBC).

- Apply spend analytics, benchmarking, and should-cost modeling to structure competitive cost framework.

- Champion lean sourcing practices-eliminate waste, streamline onboarding cycles, enable just-in-time delivery, and optimize supplier footprint.

- Integrate value engineering and VAVE activities to reduce material and process costs.

- Lead RFI/RFP processes, negotiate pricing, terms, tooling agreements (including amortization policies), and payment terms.

- Secure strategic long-term partnerships that support cost, quality, and capacity objective

- Build collaborative, two way partnerships with new vendors.

- Implement performance scorecards (quality, delivery, cost, risk), conduct regular business reviews, and drive continuous capacity and quality improvements.

- Interface closely with engineering, product development, quality, and production teams to align vendor capabilities with part specifications and NPI timelines.

- Support rapid ramp-ups and co-development initiatives.

- Establish and grow a high-performing sourcing and vendor development team.

- Provide coaching, set clear accountability, and foster a culture of adaptability, continuous improvement, and collaboration.

- Provide regular updates to senior leadership on new vendor pipeline, onboarding progress, sourcing strategies, savings achieved, vendor metrics, risks, and mitigation actions.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise:

- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering (BE) from a reputable institute; MBA or Advanced Degree preferred.

- 15-20 years of strategic sourcing/vendor development experience-particularly in automotive or allied manufacturing.

- Proven success with new vendor onboarding, tooling negotiations, and supplier development for complex metal components.

- Demonstrated expertise with Zero Based Costing, VAVE programs, lean methodologies, and should-cost analysis.

- Strong negotiation aptitude with complex, capital-intensive vendor agreements.

- Excellent people management skills-developing high-performing teams, coaching, accountability, and fostering cross-functional collaboration.

- Outstanding communication and stakeholder management at senior/executive levels.

Core Competencies:

- Strategic & Analytical Thinking: Deep dive into cost drivers, supply markets, and risk-turn insights into sourcing strategies aligned with business goals.

- Leadership & Collaboration: Ability to mobilize internal/external teams and instill partnership with suppliers; cultural sensitivity in global rollouts.

- Lean & Cost Excellence: Use lean thinking and ZBC to identify cost opportunities, eliminate non-value-added activities, and drive supplier performance.

- Negotiation & Commercial Acumen: Secure favorable contracts for tooling, capacity, long-term supply, warranty, and service levels.

- Adaptability & Resilience: Navigate challenges of new vendor onboarding, changing spec requirements, NPI delays, and market disruptions