Assistant Manager - Buyer

ZF; Chennai; On-site; INR 900,000 - 1,400,000; Full time

Job summary

ZF Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) India invites a seasoned procurement professional to lead strategic sourcing for HPDC aluminium castings. You will steer supplier relationships, drive cost-saving initiatives, and negotiate long-term agreements.

With 10–12 years in automotive purchasing, you will apply APQP/PPAP and IATF 16949 knowledge to optimize casting supply chains, support export programs, and onboard new global suppliers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical engineering is required.
• MBA in Supply Chain Management or Operations is preferred.
• 10–12 years of experience in automotive purchasing or strategic sourcing.
• Experience sourcing HPDC castings for passenger car components like oil pan, transmission housings, centering plate, piston, manifold & cover.
• Strong knowledge of HPDC casting manufacturing processes, including machining.
• Knowledge of cost breakdown, should-cost analysis, VA/VE, and total cost of ownership.
• Understanding of casting defects, metallurgy, APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, and IATF 16949 requirements.

Responsibilities

• Manage strategic sourcing activities for Aluminium (HPDC) Casting commodities.
• Develop and implement sourcing and supplier strategies to support business objectives.
• Handle supplier relationships and champion key strategic suppliers in India.
• Lead commercial negotiations for pricing, tooling costs, logistics costs, and long-term agreements.
• Achieve annual cost savings targets and manage impact of raw material price fluctuations.
• Support part family strategy and execute sourcing for export programs.
• Identify, evaluate, develop, and onboard new suppliers.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier relationship management

Contract negotiation

Cost reduction

HPDC casting knowledge

Manufacturing process knowledge

IATF 16949 awareness

APQP/PPAP/PFMEA

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical engineering

MBA in Supply Chain Management or Operations

Job description

Job Summary

About the team: ZF's Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division helps shaping the future of commercial transportation ecosystems. Our mission is to be the preferred global technology partner for the commercial vehicle industry. CVS Division is supported by approximately 25,000 employees working at 61 locations in 28 countries.

Responsibilities

• Manage strategic sourcing activities for Aluminium (HPDC) Casting commodities.
• Develop and implement sourcing and supplier strategies to support business objectives.
• Handle supplier relationships and act as the champion for key strategic suppliers in India.
• Lead commercial negotiations for pricing, tooling costs, logistics costs, and long-term agreements.
• Achieve annual cost savings targets and manage the impact of raw material price fluctuations.
• Support part family strategy and execute sourcing for export programs.
• Identify, evaluate, develop, and onboard new suppliers.

Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Mechanical engineering.
• MBA in Supply Chain Management or Operations is preferred.
• 1012 years of experience in automotive purchasing or strategic sourcing.
• Experience sourcing HPDC castings for passenger car components such as Oil pan, Transmission housings, Centering plate, Piston, Manifold & Cover.
• Strong knowledge of HPDC casting manufacturing processes, including machining.
• Knowledge of cost breakdown, should-cost analysis, VA/VE, and total cost of ownership.
• Understanding of casting defects, metallurgy, APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, control plans, and IATF 16949 requirements.