Material Cost Optimization Engineer

Drive cost reduction implementation within the IMG Supply Chain and cross-functional Matched Pair teams, leveraging LEAN manufacturing tools and processes to optimize the material cost, including:

• Execute and facilitate TVM/Gemba processes to drive cost reduction activities and ensure delivery of savings across Matched Pairs
• Drive and coordinate cross-functional / Matched Pair activities related to TVM initiatives
• Lead the planning and delivery of cross-functional events and enablers to identify and surface new cost reduction opportunities
• Design and implement lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to optimize material cost process - developing, analyze current production processes and identifying opportunities for efficiency improvements and cost reduction
• Establish and maintain a governance process with Matched Pair leadership, aligned with IMG Supply Chain leadership priorities and objectives

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Compliance

• Partner with the VHM Commodity Team and Supply Chain Finance to ensure compliance with business practices and supporting organization/Matched Pair cost saving initiatives and optimization of Value Chain Management

Tools & Technology Enablement

• Support and champion the use of Global Tools and Artificial Intelligence as enablers for the VHM Commodity Team, including tools such as TVMer, CRID (or equivalent)
• Provide training and support to the Matched Pair on the effective use of these tools

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Responsibilities

Drive cost reduction implementation within the IMG Supply Chain and cross-functional Matched Pair teams, leveraging LEAN manufacturing tools and processes to optimize the material cost, including:

• Execute and facilitate TVM/Gemba processes to drive cost reduction activities and ensure delivery of savings across Matched Pairs
• Drive and coordinate cross-functional / Matched Pair activities related to TVM initiatives
• Lead the planning and delivery of cross-functional events and enablers to identify and surface new cost reduction opportunities
• Design and implement lean manufacturing and Six Sigma methodologies to optimize material cost process - developing, analyze current production processes and identifying opportunities for efficiency improvements and cost reduction
• Establish and maintain a governance process with Matched Pair leadership, aligned with IMG Supply Chain leadership priorities and objectives

Cross-Functional Collaboration & Compliance

• Partner with the VHM Commodity Team and Supply Chain Finance to ensure compliance with business practices and supporting organization/Matched Pair cost saving initiatives and optimization of Value Chain Management

Tools & Technology Enablement

• Support and champion the use of Global Tools and Artificial Intelligence as enablers for the VHM Commodity Team, including tools such as TVMer, CRID (or equivalent)
• Provide training and support to the Matched Pair on the effective use of these tools

Qualifications

Education Qualification

• Engineering degree in Automotive parts and/or relevant experience. Master of Engineering or Business preferred.

No. of Years of Experience

• Minimum 5 years of automotive production part analyzing or LEAN manufacturing process

Professional Exposure

• Experience in automotive production part cost drive, analyzing detailed Cost Breakdown Sheets (CBDs), and evaluating raw material, labor, cycle time, machine rate, overhead costs. etc. and able to understand how these drivers interact. Operate to achieve the best enterprise cost reduction result.

• Value Chain Analysis / Value Engineering (VA/VE): Proven success in identifying and executing material substitution, weight reduction, design simplification, and manufacturing process optimization initiatives without compromising product quality or performance

• Proficiency in Lean Manufacturing Process: Deep technical understanding of diverse manufacturing processes (e.g., injection molding, metal stamping, casting, machining, electronics assembly) and how design tolerances directly impact tooling and manufacturing costs

• Experience using Computer Vision or AI Tools driven analytics at the Gemba to analyze cycle times, operator motion waste, and ergonomics on the shop floor.

• Strong facilitation orientation: Requires an ability to execute and coach the VHM Commodity Team and Matched Pairs in the agreed TVM processes and Material Cost optimization aligned with global best practice.
• Develop and Execute Material Cost optimization initiative to support the competitiveness of production part cost 

• Facilitate cross functional teams to deliver cost reduction results. Needs to be able to participate and facilitate teams working to deliver TVM.

• Understand and work with the complexities of the Matched Pair:

  • To support both Purchasing and PD in achieving their TVM objectives.

  • Work closely with the IMG VHM Commodity Buyer and Supply Chain Finance to support and execute the TVM and seek and provide help to the commodity and being open to different views.

• Behavioral Skills

• Own working together: Build relationships with cross-functional Matched Pair teams, communicate clearly, drive team culture.

• Deliver results: Strong influencing skills and leadership in a demanding cross functional team to deliver the result

• High integrity with good attitude and excellent communication skills.

• Can do attitude, team player.

• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and interpersonal skills

• Profession communication skills in English with the ability to present findings clearly to diverse audiences

• Special Knowledge/Skills Required

• Proven ability and courage to effectively communicate key issues and recommendations to senior leadership and/or cross functional team.

• Ability to work within a very diverse (culturally and functionally) environment.

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