Segment Head NPD ME - Central

JOB PURPOSE

Segment Head – NPD ME (HMI & Connectivity) is responsible for leading the manufacturing engineering and industrialization strategy for the HMI & Connectivity product portfolio comprising Instrument Clusters, Display Units, Camera Modules, Telematics units, Switches and Handlebar Assemblies. The role ensures seamless transition of products from development to production by driving manufacturability, manufacturing technology, capacity, Capex, cost, quality and launch readiness in alignment with business and customer requirements.

The role provides strategic and technical leadership to NPD ME teams and acts as the key interface with R&D, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Purchasing, Program Management, suppliers and customers.

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

Industrialization & Manufacturing Strategy

• Own the manufacturing engineering and industrialization strategy for the assigned HMI & Connectivity portfolio.
• Ensure early Manufacturing Engineering involvement in product development to drive DFM/DFA/DFT, manufacturability and process robustness.
• Define manufacturing concepts covering process technology, automation, testing, traceability, capacity and scalability.
• Drive adoption of appropriate automation, digital manufacturing and Industry 4.0 solutions.

NPD & Launch Governance

• Track manufacturing engineering deliverables across NPD programs from concept, design maturity through SOP and ramp-up.
• Ensure manufacturing readiness across key program gates and drive resolution of critical risks impacting quality, cost, capacity and timing.
• Establish governance mechanisms, readiness criteria and performance reviews for NPD ME activities.
• Ensure effective transition of new products into plants and stabilization during ramp-up.

Technology, Capacity & Investment

• Lead technology evaluation and manufacturing strategy for new HMI & Connectivity products considering volume, localization, capacity, cost and technology maturity.
• Define capacity and infrastructure requirements in line with business growth and customer programs.
• Review and recommend Capex, tooling, automation and technology investments and ensure alignment with business case.
• Drive manufacturing cost competitiveness through productivity, process optimization and appropriate technology choices.
• Prepare and execute long term manufacturing strategy covering capacity and technology enhancement, green field/ brown field expansion and facility development/ upgradation.

Quality & Manufacturing Excellence

• Ensure industrialization processes comply with IATF 16949, customer-specific requirements and applicable standards.
• Provide oversight for implementation of core quality and manufacturing engineering practices including APQP, PFMEA, Control Plans and process validation.
• Drive standardization, lessons learned, Lean/continuous improvement and replication of best practices across programs and plants.
• Build and strengthen HMI & Connectivity manufacturing engineering capability within the team.

Cross-Functional & Stakeholder Leadership

• Lead cross-functional alignment with Product Engineering, R&D, Quality, Operations, Supply Chain, Purchasing and Program Management.
• Provide Manufacturing Engineering inputs to product, process and program decisions.
• Lead technical discussions with customers, equipment suppliers and technology partners on manufacturing feasibility and readiness.
• Drive resolution of critical cross-functional issues affecting program delivery.

QUALIFICATION

• Minimum Qualification required: MANDATORY BE / B.Tech [BTech [Mechanical/ E&TC/ Industrial Engineering/ Production - PREFERRED]
• Preferred Qualification: MBA / M.Tech

WORK EXPERIENCE

• 15+ years of experience in Manufacturing Engineering, Industrialization, NPD or Manufacturing Operations, preferably in automotive, HMI and electronics.
• 5 years in a leadership role managing NPD / Manufacturing Engineering.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing of electronics and/or electro-mechanical products, with exposure to one or more of Instrument clusters, Telematics, Display units, Camera modules, Switches or similar products.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, and other core tools.
• Strong business acumen with experience in Capex, capacity planning, manufacturing cost and technology evaluation.
• Proven track record of managing cross-functional teams and launching complex automotive products.
• Communication and presentation skills for strategy planning and MIS

REPORTING - This position reports to Head ME - e-Mobility, HMI, ICE Powertrain & has a Team of Project Leads reporting to it.

RELOCATION - Outstation Candidates will have to RE-LOCATE with Family Pune and will be eligible to avail benefits under the Relocation Policy.

In case you are keen on exploring this opportunity please fill-in all the details in the screening questions outlined below and share it with us along with a copy of your updated resume / CV.