Strategic Sourcing Lead

Oben Electric; Bengaluru; On-site; INR 4,500,000 - 7,000,000; Full time

Job summary

Oben Electric seeks a senior Strategic Sourcing leader to own the Aluminium Casting commodity (HPDC & GDC) and drive strategy, supplier onboarding, and cost competitiveness for current and future programs.

You will lead negotiations, Should-Costing, and supplier development across Tier-1/Tier-2 partners, collaborating with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing and Finance to ensure early supplier involvement and robust PPAP readiness.

Qualifications

• 10-15 years of experience in Automotive Strategic Sourcing or Commodity Procurement.
• Must have hands-on Aluminium HPDC & GDC experience with Tier-1/Tier-2 suppliers.
• Strong expertise in supplier development, negotiations, and cost management.
• Experience with Should-Costing / Target Costing / VA-VE is essential.
• Engineering background in mechanical domains preferred.

Responsibilities

• Own commodity strategy for Aluminium HPDC & GDC, including supplier selection and capacity planning.
• Develop scalable supplier ecosystem with alternate/dual sources for critical components.
• Lead RFQ, supplier evaluation, and techno-commercial negotiations.
• Drive cost-reduction initiatives and Should-Costing.”
• Manage commercial negotiations for pricing, tooling investments, payment terms and logistics.
• Coordinate with Quality, Manufacturing, Finance and Programs for NPD, localisation and PPAP readiness.
• Provide sourcing inputs on DFM, casting feasibility and supplier capability.
• Monitor aluminium market trends and supplier dynamics to identify opportunities.

Skills

Automotive OEM experience

Aluminium HPDC

Aluminium GDC

Should-Costing

Target Costing

VA/VE

NPD Sourcing

Supplier Development

Cost Management

Stakeholder Management

Education

Engineering degree in Mechanical/Automobile/Production

Job description

Oben Electric is an Indian electric two-wheeler company focused on designing, engineering and manufacturing high-performance electric motorcycles. As we scale our products and manufacturing operations, we are strengthening our strategic sourcing organisation to build a competitive and scalable supplier ecosystem.

About the Role

We are looking for a senior Strategic Sourcing leader with 10-15 years of Automotive OEM experience to own the Aluminium Casting commodity - HPDC & GDC. The role will lead commodity strategy, supplier onboarding, cost competitiveness, strategic negotiations and sourcing for current and upcoming product programs.

Mandatory Requirement-Automotive OEM experience is mandatory.

The candidate must have significant experience in Strategic Sourcing / Commodity Procurement within an Automotive OEM, with hands-on responsibility for Aluminium HPDC and GDC Candidates from Tier-1/Tier-2 suppliers, generic procurement, indirect procurement or nonautomotive industries will not be considered.

Key Responsibilities-

• Own the commodity strategy for Aluminium HPDC & GDC, including supplier selection, development, capacity planning.
• Build a competitive and scalable supplier ecosystem and develop alternate/dual sources for critical components.
• Lead RFQ, supplier evaluation, techno-commercial negotiations and supplier nomination.
• Drive Should-Costing, Target Costing, Zero-Based Costing, VA/VE and annual cost reduction initiatives.
• Own commercial negotiations for part pricing, tooling/die investment, payment terms and logistics
• Develop and manage strategic suppliers across Quality, Cost and Delivery (QCD)
• Partner with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Finance and Program teams for NPD, localisation, tooling, trials, PPAP and production readiness
• Provide sourcing inputs on DFM, casting feasibility, cost and supplier capability
• Monitor aluminium/raw-material trends and supplier-market dynamics to identify cost and sourcing opportunities.
• Lead supplier risk assessment and mitigation for business continuity. Technical Expertise Strong understanding of: HPDC | GDC | Aluminium Alloys | Die/Tooling | Casting Costing | Machining | DFM | Tool Life | Capacity & Process Capability, Die Casting Experience with motor housings, gearbox/transmission housings, structural components, covers, brackets and other aluminium cast components is highly preferred.

Ideal Candidate

• 10-15 years in Automotive Strategic Sourcing / Commodity Procurement.
• Proven ownership of Aluminium HPDC & GDC commodities.
• Strong expertise in supplier development, strategic negotiations and cost management.
• Hands-on experience with Should-Costing / ZBC / Target Costing / VA-VE.
• Strong understanding of tooling/die commercial management. Experience in NPD sourcing, localisation and supplier development.
• Strong stakeholder-management and commercial leadership skills.
• *2W / EV OEM experience preferred., Automotive OEM
• Engineering degree in Mechanical / Automobile / Production / related discipline preferred.
• Experience managing teams / mentoring sourcing professionals will be an advantage.