Platform Head

Role Purpose

The Platform Head is accountable for leading end-to-end vehicle platform delivery. The role owns platform-level target setting, system-level cascade, cross-functional execution, trade-off decisions, deviation governance and launch readiness, ensuring achievement of Target Cost Program targets across all projects within the platform.

Role Snapshot

• Platform Target Setting
• Purchase & Supplier Closure
• Cross- functional Trade-offs
• System Target Cascade
• Manufacturing Readiness
• Target Cost Program Delivery Ownership
• Engineering Integration
• Deviation Governance
• Launch Handover

Exp - 18-25yrs

• Platform Strategy and Target Setting
• Set Total Cost Program targets across all projects within the platform on time.
• Interface with Product Planning and Marketing to define platform targets including FI requirements.
• Ensure engineering, supplier, manufacturing, investment and cost feasibility are incorporated at target-setting stage.
• Incorporate planning and resource availability inputs from Program Portfolio Management.
• Ensure overall vehicle-level Target cost program targets are translated into effective system-level targets through Platform Engineering Heads.
• Delivery of Set Targets
• Own achievement of Target cost program targets for all platform projects with support from platform team members and delivery organizations.
• Drive disciplined execution across engineering, purchase, manufacturing, quality and program teams.
• Review program health, highlight risks early and enable timely resolution of delivery bottlenecks.
• Engineering Leadership
• Ensure effective translation of system-level targets into Statement Of Requirements, specifications, drawings and engineering deliverables through platform Engineering Heads
• Ensure inter-system trade-offs taken by Platform Engineering Heads are aligned with overall platform requirements.
• Resolve system and function interface conflicts to protect platform-level performance, cost and timing commitments.
• Purchase and Supplier Integration
• Ensure timely closure and minimum reopening of technical deliverables through Platform Engineering Heads.
• Guide techno-commercial deliverable decisions through Platform Purchase Heads.
• Ensure vendor panel and Vendor on Board decisions by Strategic Sourcing Unit are aligned with platform requirements.
• Manufacturing and Industrialization
• Ensure timely closure and minimum reopening of manufacturing decisions including make-vs-buy, manufacturing strategy and localization.
• Drive in-house part development decisions and manufacturing-related PPAP closure through Plant Manufacturing Heads.
• Partner with manufacturing, quality and plant teams to ensure readiness for vehicle handover.
• Governance and Trade-off Decisions
• Lead inter-function and inter-project trade-off decisions to minimize or eliminate deviations in overall platform Target Cost Program targets.
• Oversee inter-project fund transfers and utilization where required.
• Reallocate material cost and investment within predefined limits.
• Debottleneck and veto system or function interface conflicts where platform outcomes are impacted.
• Deviation Management
• Drive escalation and closure of approvals for necessary vehicle-level time , cost deviations during delivery phase.
• Ensure deviation decisions are documented and aligned with business, engineering and launch priorities.
• Decide acceptance or rejection of time , cost deviations based on feasibility, impact and overall platform priorities.
• Launch Readiness
• Own timely vehicle handover to Manufacturing and Marketing & Sales teams.
• Ensure completion of all required quality clearances, validation milestones and launch gate requirements.
• Support smooth transition from development to launch and initial post- launch stabilization

Ideal Candidate Profile

• Senior automotive leader with strong experience in vehicle platform development, product engineering or program delivery.
• Strong exposure to engineering integration, manufacturing readiness, supplier collaboration and target-cost management.
• Ability to lead cross-functional stakeholders and take structured trade-off decisions under timeline and cost pressure.
• Proven experience in driving vehicle programs from concept stage to launch readiness.
• Strong governance mindset with ability to manage risks, escalations, deviations and stakeholder alignment.