Assistant Manager - Program Buyer (Direct Purchase)

Her Pursuit Chennai; Chakan; On-site; INR 1,500,000 - 2,300,000; Full time

Job summary

Her Pursuit Chennai is seeking an experienced Purchasing/Program Management professional for automotive interiors. You will lead supplier selection from panel, drive RFQs, and negotiate final sourcing with commodity buyers to secure the best value while aligning with project goals.

You will manage supplier performance during the program phase, ensure on-time deliveries, involve Series Buyers early, and support key changes and launches through the PMS framework, APQP, and gate approvals.

Qualifications

• APQP knowledge and program management in automotive.
• Experience in purchasing in Tier 1 automotive interiors preferred.

Responsibilities

• Select suppliers from the approved panel and coordinate RFQ processes.
• Lead supplier negotiations and final sourcing with commodity buyers.
• Manage supplier performance during the program phase and ensure on-time delivery.
• Involve Series Buyers early in the program before the series phase.
• Lead supplier program kickoff meetings with critical suppliers.
• Respond to IBP changes and update CSV.
• Support SPE on Hi Impact Suppliers.
• Manage Supplier Launch Readiness & Program Milestones.

Skills

Professional Purchasing Qualification

APQP knowledge

Supplier negotiation

Program management

Purchasing experience

Stakeholder management

Education

Professional Purchasing Qualification

CIPET qualification

Job description

Role & responsibilities

• Ensure supplier selection from the agreed supplier panel: identify and consult suppliers, manages supplier RFQ based on panel given by the Commodity Buyers. Negotiate or participate with the Commodity Buyer in supplier negotiations and the final choice of supplier (leads sourcing committee process to select suppliers from list provided by commodity buyers)
• Follow direct performance during the program phase: manage suppliers, compare costs with objectives, ensure quality during the program phase, respect delivery deadlines and in particular ensure that the program phase reviews are supported within the framework of the Program Management System (PMS)
• Ensure early involvement of the Series Buyers in the program before the series phase
• Manage specific mandated suppliers when requested and agreed with customers
• Negotiate Engineering Change Requests
• Acts as single point of purchasing contact for program management.
• Program Lead for sourcing board and to confirm final sourcing with commodity buyers (including directed parts)
• Lead supplier program kickoff meetings with critical suppliers as required.
• Respond to IBP changes and updating CSV
• Kickoff tooling w/appropriate program and gate approvals
• Kickoff purchased parts w/appropriate program and gate approvals (where no tooling is involved)
• Support SPE on Hi Impact Suppliers.
• Manage Supplier Launch Readiness & Program Milestones.

Preferred candidate profile

• Professional Purchasing Qualification
• CIPET qualification is an added advantage
• Minimum 7 years experience in an industrial environment particularly in Tier 1 Automotive interiors company
• First experience in purchasing or in program management
• Knowledge of APQP and program management in automotive