Chief Platform Head – Tractor Division

Mahindra and Mahindra Limited [Automotive and Farm Equipment Business]; Chennai District; On-site; INR 500,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

Mahindra and Mahindra Limited [Automotive and Farm Equipment Business] seeks a senior leader for Strategic Target Setting & Cost Management. You will define TCP targets, translate them into system requirements, and drive cross-functional decisions across product planning, engineering, manufacturing, and purchasing.

This role demands extensive tractor-industry experience and a proven ability to optimize cost and investment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's or master's degree in mechanical, automotive, manufacturing, industrial engineering or related field.
• Extensive experience in tractor industry and automotive product development.
• Proven track record managing cross-functional programs, cost, quality and timelines.

Responsibilities

• Define and deploy TCP targets across all projects within the platform.
• Drive system-level target deployment through engineering functions.
• Lead cross-functional and inter-project trade-offs to optimize cost and performance.
• Ensure timely closure of technical and techno-commercial deliverables.
• Own project TCP targets and deviations; drive platform design decisions.

Skills

Cross-functional leadership

Cost engineering

Program management

Strategic planning

Stakeholder management

Value engineering

Technical cost optimization

Education

Bachelor's/Master's in mechanical, Automotive, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering or related field

Job description

Strategic Target Setting & Cost Management

• Define and deploy Technical Cost Program (TCP) targets across all projects within the platform.
• Collaborate with Product Planning, Marketing, Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Program Management teams to establish feasible and competitive targets.
• Drive system-level target deployment through effective drill-down across engineering functions.
• Ensure cost, investment, quality, and resource considerations are integrated into platform planning.

Program Delivery & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Own achievement of platform-level TCP targets across multiple vehicle programs.
• Drive translation of targets into system requirements, specifications, and engineering deliverables.
• Ensure alignment of supplier, purchasing, manufacturing, and engineering decisions with platform objectives.
• Lead inter-functional and inter-project trade-offs to optimize performance, investment, and material costs.
• Resolve system interface conflicts and remove delivery bottlenecks.
• Ensure timely closure of technical and techno-commercial deliverables.
• Drive vendor strategy and value optimization in line with platform requirements.
• Oversee manufacturing decisions including make vs. buy, localization strategy, in-house development, and PPAP readiness.

Deviation Management & Decision Making

• Evaluate and approve/reject TCP deviations based on technical and commercial feasibility.
• Lead escalation and closure of vehicle-level deviations during development and delivery phases.
• Govern project fund utilization and cost reallocations within approved limits.

Launch Readiness

• Ensure successful vehicle handover to Manufacturing and Marketing & Sales teams.
• Drive closure of all quality clearances and launch deliverables.
• Vehicle Program Management
• Target Costing / Value Engineering
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Technical Cost Optimization
• Stakeholder Management
• Strategic Decision Making

Decision Rights & Ownership

• Own project-level TCP targets and deviations.
• Approve platform-level trade-offs within defined limits.
• Drive engineering and stage-gate sign-offs.
• Influence platform design decisions and financial investment targets.

Preferred Background

• Bachelor's/master's degree in mechanical, Automotive, Manufacturing, Industrial Engineering, or related field.
• 24 + Yrs Experience in Tractor Industry
• Extensive experience in Automotive Product Development, Program Management, Cost Engineering, or Platform Development.
• Proven track record of managing complex cross-functional programs and delivering cost, quality, and timeline objectives.