Vendor Development- Casting

About the Role

We are looking for a Vendor Development Casting professional who will be responsible for developing, qualifying and managing casting suppliers for our electric 2-wheeler products.

The role involves end-to-end ownership of casting components from supplier identification, RFQ and feasibility evaluation to tooling development, APQP/PPAP, quality validation, cost optimization and SOP readiness.

The ideal candidate should have strong experience in Aluminium / Zinc / other automotive castings, supplier development and manufacturing processes, preferably within the 2-wheeler / automotive / EV industry.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Vendor Development & Supplier Identification

• Identify, evaluate and develop casting suppliers based on technical capability, capacity, quality systems, commercial competitiveness and scalability.
• Conduct supplier capability assessments and evaluate manufacturing infrastructure, machinery, tooling and process capabilities.
• Develop new suppliers for current as well as new product requirements.
• Build and maintain a reliable supplier base for casting commodities.

2. Casting Component Development

• Drive end-to-end development of Aluminium Die Casting, Gravity Die Casting, Pressure Die Casting, Sand Casting and other relevant casting components.
• Work closely with Design, R&D, Quality and Manufacturing teams to ensure component design is suitable for manufacturing.
• Review drawings, specifications, GD&T, material requirements and casting feasibility.
• Coordinate DFM / manufacturability reviews with suppliers.
• Support tooling and die development, including tool concept, tool design, trials and corrections.

3. RFQ, Costing & Commercial Negotiation

• Float RFQs and obtain technical/commercial quotations from shortlisted suppliers.

• Analyze supplier costing, including:

• Raw material

• Conversion cost

• Tooling / die cost

• Machining

• Surface treatment

• Scrap/rejection

• Packaging and logistics

• Benchmark supplier quotations and identify cost-reduction opportunities.

• Negotiate component pricing, tooling cost, payment terms and commercial conditions.

• Drive VA/VE and cost optimization initiatives across casting components.

4. New Product Development

• Coordinate with suppliers for prototype, sample and development parts.
• Track tooling development, die trials, casting trials and sample submissions.
• Ensure development timelines are aligned with the overall vehicle/project milestone.
• Drive supplier readiness from prototype stage through SOP and ramp-up.
• Coordinate with internal teams for engineering changes and supplier implementation.

5. Quality & APQP / PPAP

• Work closely with Supplier Quality / Quality Engineering teams for supplier qualification.
• Ensure suppliers complete required APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plan, MSA, SPC and process validation activities.
• Monitor dimensional, metallurgical and functional requirements of casting components.
• Support resolution of development-stage quality issues through structured RCA / CAPA.
• Ensure supplier processes are stable before SOP.

6. Supplier Performance Management

• Monitor supplier performance on Quality, Cost, Delivery, Development and Capacity.
• Conduct regular supplier reviews and drive corrective actions.
• Identify supplier risks related to capacity, quality, tooling, raw material and delivery.
• Develop alternate sources for critical casting components wherever required.
• Support capacity planning and supplier ramp-up for production requirements.

7. Process & Manufacturing Knowledge

The candidate should be able to understand and evaluate processes such as:

• High Pressure Die Casting (HPDC)
• Low Pressure Die Casting (LPDC)
• Gravity Die Casting
• Sand Casting
• Aluminium alloy casting
• Zinc die casting
• Casting machining
• Heat treatment
• Shot blasting / surface finishing
• Powder coating / painting, wherever applicable
• Leak testing
• Porosity and defect analysis

CNC machining of cast components

Candidate Profile

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical / Production / Automobile / Metallurgy Engineering or equivalent.
• 5–10 years of relevant experience in Vendor Development / Supplier Development / Strategic Sourcing / Procurement.
• Strong experience in casting commodity development, preferably in automotive / 2W / EV.
• Hands-on knowledge of aluminium and/or zinc casting processes.
• Strong understanding of casting defects, tooling, machining, quality and manufacturing feasibility.
• Experience in supplier negotiations, costing and commercial closure.
• Exposure to APQP / PPAP / FMEA / 8D / RCA.
• Strong supplier management and project execution skills.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced product development environment with aggressive timelines.
• Willingness to travel extensively for supplier visits, audits, trials and development activities.