Sr Purchase Manager

Job Description

To lead Lucas TVS's strategic sourcing, supplier development, technology scouting, manufacturing partnerships, and greenfield project initiatives in China. The position will serve as the key interface between Lucas TVS India and the Chinese manufacturing ecosystem, driving localization, technology collaboration, cost competitiveness, supplier capability development, and new business opportunities aligned with the company's long-term growth plans.

The role requires a proactive leader who can operate beyond conventional procurement responsibilities by identifying industrial opportunities, building strategic networks, and supporting end-to-end project execution from concept through operational readiness.

Key Roles & Responsibilities

Strategic Supplier & Technology Development

• Identify and evaluate technology partners aligned with the Lucas TVS product roadmap.
• Scout emerging technologies, innovative manufacturing processes, and joint-development opportunities.
• Identify and develop Chinese suppliers for new products and future business requirements.
• Maintain a supplier database covering automotive, electrical, electronics, and industrial sectors.
• Assess supplier capabilities, quality systems, manufacturing maturity, scalability, and sustainability.

New Product Supplier Identification & Localization

• Identify suppliers for new products, sub-assemblies, critical components, and alternate sources.
• Support localization initiatives and supplier benchmarking across quality, cost, delivery, development, and capacity.
• Lead supplier audits, qualification, commercial evaluation, and onboarding processes.

Greenfield Project Support

• Support the planning and establishment of greenfield manufacturing projects in China.
• Identify suitable industrial zones, manufacturing clusters, infrastructure, and ecosystem opportunities.
• Coordinate with consultants, local authorities, industrial partners, and internal project teams.
• Support plant setup planning, manufacturing line establishment, and operational readiness.
• Recommend sourcing strategies for plant machinery, production equipment, tooling, fixtures, utilities, and capital equipment.

Procurement, Cost & Supplier Performance

• Support Purchase and Process Planning teams in sourcing capital equipment, raw materials, components, tooling, and production systems.
• Drive cost reduction through negotiation, localization, supplier consolidation, and value engineering.
• Monitor supplier performance against Quality, Cost, Delivery, and Development metrics.
• Establish supply continuity, risk mitigation, and escalation plans.

Business Development & Market Intelligence

• Track market trends, competitor sourcing strategies, regulatory developments, and industrial policies in China.
• Identify potential business opportunities, strategic partnerships, collaborations, and acquisition targets.
• Provide periodic market intelligence and opportunity reports to leadership.
• Expand supplier and technology networks that support future business growth.

Collaborative Approach

• Act as the key coordination link between Lucas TVS India and China operations.
• Ensure effective communication, knowledge sharing, and alignment of sourcing, technology, and project priorities.
• Facilitate technology transfer, supplier discussions, technical reviews, and joint project execution between the India and China teams.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams in India and China to support timely decision-making, issue resolution, and implementation.

Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary interface between Lucas TVS India and Chinese suppliers, technology partners, consultants, and authorities.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Purchasing, Operations, Quality, Finance, and New Product Development teams.
• Facilitate supplier visits, technical discussions, commercial negotiations, and management reviews.
• Drive cross-functional project execution from concept to implementation.

Technical / Functional Skills Required

Skill Area	Mandatory / Preferred	Details
Strategic Sourcing	Mandatory	Global sourcing strategy, category management, supplier identification, and commercial evaluation.
Supplier Development	Mandatory	Supplier qualification, audits, capability building, performance management, and escalation.
Greenfield Project Execution	Mandatory	Industrial location assessment, plant setup support, equipment sourcing, and operational readiness.
China Manufacturing Ecosystem	Mandatory	Strong understanding of Chinese industrial clusters, supplier networks, business practices, and regulations.
Technology Scouting	Mandatory	Identification and evaluation of emerging technologies, processes, and development partners.
Automotive Manufacturing	Mandatory	Knowledge of automotive or auto-component manufacturing processes, quality systems, and supply chain requirements.
Negotiation & Contracting	Mandatory	Commercial negotiation, contract management, cost modelling, and supplier agreements.
Cost Optimization & Localization	Mandatory	Value engineering, alternate sourcing, localization, and total-cost improvement.
Capital Equipment Procurement	Preferred	Sourcing of machinery, tooling, fixtures, utilities, and production equipment.
Market Intelligence & Business Development	Preferred	Industry mapping, competitor insights, partnership development, and opportunity assessment.
Language Capability	Preferred	Proficiency in English; Mandarin language capability is an added advantage.

Behavioural Competencies Required

Skill Area	Mandatory / Preferred
Strategic Thinking	Mandatory
Business Acumen	Mandatory
Leadership & Influence	Mandatory
Cross-Cultural Collaboration	Mandatory
Relationship & Stakeholder Management	Mandatory
Negotiation & Persuasion	Mandatory
Problem Solving & Decision Making	Mandatory
Project Management	Mandatory
Result Orientation	Mandatory
Innovation & Opportunity Mindset	Preferred

Desired Candidate Profile

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Industrial, or Automotive Engineering.

MBA or relevant Master's Degree preferred.

Experience

15 to 20 years of experience in strategic sourcing, supplier development, industrial procurement, manufacturing operations, or greenfield project execution.

Proven experience working with Chinese suppliers and manufacturing ecosystems.

Experience in the automotive or auto-component industry is strongly preferred.

Strong industry network across Chinese automotive and industrial suppliers is desirable.

Key Success Measures (KPIs)

• Qualified technology partners and strategic suppliers identified and onboarded.
• Greenfield project milestones achieved within approved time, cost, and quality parameters.
• Localization and cost reduction targets delivered.
• Supplier Quality, Cost, Delivery, and Development performance improved.
• New product launches and manufacturing facility setup supported successfully.
• Strategic partnerships and business opportunities developed to enhance growth and competitiveness.
• Supply risks identified and mitigated through robust alternate-source and continuity plans.