Team Lead - Cost Engineering - Vehicle (Cab, Chassis, Bus and Load Body)

To lead the Vehicle Cost Engineering team, ensuring high-quality deliverables in cost estimation, negotiation support, and value improvement for truck and bus aggregates. The role focuses on training, engaging, and motivating the team while representing Cost Engineering in cross-functional and global forums

• Lead the Cabin, Chassis, and Frame (CCF) Cost Engineering team to ensure timely and high-quality delivery of vehicle cost engineering activities.

• Ensure 100% Reference Calculation (REC) availability and provide negotiation support for all CCF projects.

• Achieve series reference targets for CCF parts through structured cost tracking and improvement actions.

• Monitor tooling and Schmale processes, ensuring adherence to defined standards, data accuracy, and timely approvals.

• Prepare and maintain Cost Transparency Sheets (CTS) to provide complete cost traceability and management visibility.

• Ensure REC readiness in line with project milestones and sourcing pipelines to support timely decision-making.

• Drive achievement of matched targets and funding goals for parts and tooling within assigned projects.

• Own and approve tooling budgets and Purchase Requisitions (PRs), ensuring compliance with cost, quality, and timing objectives.

• Collaborate with Procurement and R&D to achieve IMCS (Improved Material Cost Saving) targets and support global negotiations as per defined thresholds.

• Prepare and present cost transparency insights and recommendations to management and cross-functional teams.

• Plan and conduct training sessions to strengthen the team’s technical and commercial cost engineering capabilities.

• Motivate, engage, and develop team members to drive efficiency, innovation, and material cost savings.

• Manage recruitment, performance evaluation, and general administration for the team.

• Lead global initiatives under Lead Cost Engineering (LCE) and support Cost Engineering digitalization projects.

• Represent Vehicle Cost Engineering in L2/L3 Global Steering Committee and cross-functional meetings.

B.E / B.Tech in Mechanical, Mechatronics, Automobile, Production, or an equivalent engineering discipline. PG Dip in Tooling & Die making is desirable.

Experience :

Minimum of 15 years of experience in the automotive industry (OEM or Tier 1).
At least 3–5 years of hands-on experience in one or more the areas such as Cost Engineering,  Sourcing with Estimation Knowledge, New Product Development with strong process knowledge
Minimum 2–3 years of experience leading a team within a technical or cost-focused function

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Hands-on experience in development and cost estimation of sheet metal and plastic components related to Cabin and Frame.

• Strong experience in part and tooling development for skin panels and thin sheet components.

• Experience in plastic parts and tooling development using Injection Moulding, Blow Moulding, and Roto Moulding processes.

• Expertise in development and cost estimation of various vehicle proprietary parts and associated tooling.

• Experience in project management related to part and tooling development activities.

• Experience coordinating with local and international tool makers.

• Knowledge of raw material markets, cost trends, and price analysis.

• Expertise in defining optimized sheet metal process sequences based on part geometry and volume requirements.

• Knowledge of manual and software-based nesting techniques for yield optimization.

• Sound understanding of stamping processes and auxiliary machines.

• Ability to define efficient stamping processes to produce parts using a minimum number of tools for both skin panels and thick sheets.

• Strong negotiation, interpersonal, presentation, and communication skills (oral & written).

• Team-oriented, flexible, and willing to work in a challenging environment.

• Should have a strong analytical mindset to justify cost calculations with sound logic and process understanding.

• Must demonstrate a positive and winning attitude in achieving goals.

• Should be assertive and confident while maintaining professional respect.

• Must work well in teams and show flexibility to adapt to changes.

• Should have a continuous drive to learn, improve, and challenge existing practices.

• Must show strong commitment and accountability in meeting deadlines and deliverables.