Chief Platform Head – Tractor Division

Key Responsibilities

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.

Supplier & Manufacturing Governance

• 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.

Key Skills & Competencies

• Vehicle Program Management
• Product Development & Engineering Integration
• Target Costing / Value Engineering
• Cross-Functional Leadership
• Supplier & Manufacturing Management
• Technical Cost Optimization
• Risk & Deviation Management
• 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.