Manager - Value Engineering & Localization

Role Objective:

Drive measurable reduction in raw material cost, component cost and sourcing cost through value engineering, supplier localization, alternate materials, design improvements and development of cost-effective Indian suppliers.

Key Responsibilities:

• Identify opportunities for China-to-India localization of components and products.
• Develop alternate Indian suppliers for imported and existing components.
• Drive VA/VE and cost-reduction projects across product categories.
• Evaluate alternate materials without compromising quality, safety, performance or aesthetics.
• Work with NPD to modify component design, material specifications and manufacturing processes for cost optimization.
• Conduct should-cost and make-vs-buy analysis.
• Identify savings opportunities in stainless steel, brass, plastics, rubber, electronics, motors, PCBs, machined parts, fabricated parts and packaging.
• Develop second-source suppliers for critical components.
• Coordinate supplier samples, tooling, trials and pilot production.
• Work closely with Quality for validation and approval of new materials and suppliers.
• Support SCM in technical-commercial negotiations.
• Benchmark existing component pricing against alternate technologies, materials and manufacturing processes.
• Maintain a live cost-reduction and localization project tracker.
• Ensure approved changes are updated in BOMs, drawings and specifications.
• Track savings from concept through actual implementation.
• Visit suppliers regularly for development, process improvement and cost optimization.

Key KPIs:

• Annual validated cost savings
• Percentage of imported components localized
• Number of successful VA/VE projects completed
• Reduction in raw material and component cost
• Number of critical components with approved alternate suppliers
• Project completion lead time
• Savings realized versus savings identified
• Supplier development success rate

Desired Candidate Profile:

• 7-9 years of experience in Value Engineering, Supplier Development, NPD, Strategic Sourcing or Cost Reduction.
• Strong experience in engineering/manufacturing companies.
• Good understanding of CNC machining, sheet-metal fabrication, injection moulding, die casting, rubber moulding, metal finishing, tooling and dies.
• Ability to read engineering drawings, BOMs and material specifications.
• Strong understanding of component costing and manufacturing cost drivers.
• Experience developing suppliers from drawings or physical samples.
• Good commercial and negotiation skills.
• Strong analytical and project-management capability.
• Candidates from automotive, appliances, sanitaryware, hardware, electrical or engineering-component industries preferred.

Education:

• B.E. / B.Tech / Diploma in Mechanical, Production, Industrial or Manufacturing Engineering.
• MBA / Supply Chain qualification will be an added advantage.

Ideal Candidate:

A hands-on engineer who can take an imported or high-cost component, understand its function and cost structure, identify a better material, process or supplier, develop it locally, validate it and convert the idea into recurring savings.