Group Manager - Regional Development Lead (OEM) - PV

Apollo Tyres Ltd; Chennai District; On-site; INR 2,500,000 - 3,500,000; Full time

Job summary

Apollo Tyres Ltd is seeking a Group Manager - Regional Development Lead (OEM) to lead the OE development portfolio for assigned OEM customers from RFQ to SOP. You will coordinate with R&D, QA, Purchasing, and Program Management to strengthen partnerships and guide technical strategy.

Role demands 10–15 years in tyre design or OEM development, with BE in Mechanical or Polymer Engineering, and a track record of delivering cross-functional programs under APDP/QR/PPAP standards.

Qualifications

• Own the end-to-end development portfolio for assigned OEM customers from RFQ to SOP.
• Lead cross-functional engagement with OEM R&D, QA, Purchasing, and PM teams to strengthen partnerships.
• Define and approve the technical development strategy including tyre specs, construction, materials, design direction, and performance targets.
• Review proposals, benchmark studies, DFMEA, Data Books, development plans, and engineering changes.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end development portfolio for OEM customers from RFQ to SOP.
• Engage with OEM R&D, Quality, Purchasing, and Program Management teams to build strategic partnerships.
• Define and approve the technical development strategy, including tyre specifications, construction, materials, and performance targets.
• Review proposals, DFMEA, data books, development plans, and engineering changes to ensure robust product development.
• Drive cross-functional alignment to ensure timely project execution across departments.

Skills

Tyre design & development

OEM product development lifecycle

APDP & PPAP & QR

Project and program management

Data-driven engineering decisions

Education

BE - Mechanical

BE - Polymer Engineering

Job description

Apollo Tyres Ltd is an international tyremanufacturer and the leading tyre brand in India. The company has multiplemanufacturing units in India and a unit each in The Netherlands and Hungary.The company markets its products under its two global brands – Apollo and Vredestein,and its products are available in over 100 countries through a vast network ofbranded, exclusive and multi-product outlets.

Job Title: Group Manager - Regional Development Lead (OEM) - PV

Location: Chennai R&D

Reports to (Position): Division Head

Department/Function:

Number of Direct Reports (Solid Line): NA

Number of Direct Reports (Dotted Line): 1

Number of Outsourced Reports: NA

Purpose of the Job: Responsible for Lead the OEDevelopment function for an assigned customer portfolio,by defining thetechnical strategy, strengthening customer relationships, ensuring successfulexecution of development programs, and delivering business growth throughcross-functional leadership.

Major Responsibilities:

• Own the end-to-end development portfolio forassigned OEM customers, ensuring successful execution from RFQ to SOP whilemeeting business, quality, cost, and timeline objectives.
• Lead customer engagement by acting as theprimary technical interface with OEM R&D, Quality, Purchasing, and ProgramManagement teams to strengthen strategic partnerships and drive future businessopportunities.
• Define and approve the technical developmentstrategy, including tyre specifications, construction, materials, designdirection, and performance targets for all assigned programs.
• Review and approve technical proposals,benchmark studies, DFMEA, Data Books, development plans, and engineeringchanges to ensure robust product development.
• Drive cross-functional alignment acrossMaterials, Compound Development, Simulation, Testing, Manufacturing, PlantTechnology, QA, SCM, and Business teams to ensure timely project execution.
• Govern project execution by reviewingdevelopment progress, project risks, resource allocation, development costs,and milestone adherence, while ensuring timely escalation and resolution ofcritical issues.
• Partner with OE Sales and BusinessDevelopment teams to understand future customer requirements, support RFQs, andenhance Apollo's competitiveness in strategic OEM programs.
• Lead technical reviews with customers,support nomination activities, and represent Apollo during development reviews,audits, and program discussions.
• Ensure compliance with APDP, QualityRequirements (QR), PPAP, CSQSR, regulatory requirements, and Apollo engineeringstandards throughout the project lifecycle.
• Drive resolution of critical product qualityand field performance issues by leading technical reviews, root cause analysis,and implementation of sustainable corrective actions.

Develop organisational capability bymentoring Product Development Managers and Development Engineers, drivingsuccession planning, technical competency development, and a high-performanceculture.

Continuously identify opportunities to improve development efficiency, customer satisfaction, technical capability,and organisational effectiveness in line with Apollo's OE growth strategy.

Skills:

• Strong knowledge of tyre design, development, validation, and manufacturing processes.
• In-depth understanding of OEM product development lifecycle (RFQ to SOP).
• Expertise in APDP, PPAP, DFMEA, Quality Requirements (QR), and automotive quality systems.
• Strong project and program management capability.
• Ability to analyse technical data and makesound engineering decisions.

Leadership & Behavioral Skills:

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional andmulti-disciplinary teams.
• Strong people leadership, coaching, mentoring,and capability development.
• Effective planning, prioritisation, and resourcemanagement.
• Risk identification, problem-solving, anddecision-making skills.
• Ability to drive execution in a fast-paced,multi-project environment.

Relevant Experience: 10-15 Years exposure to tyredesign /Tyre manufacturing / Vehicle testing / OE Development

Education Qualification(s): BE - Mechanical, Polymer engineering.