Head - Sourcing & Development
| Posting date: | 16 January 2026 |
|---|---|
| Salary: | £50,500 to £55,000 per year |
| Hours: | Full time |
| Closing date: | 14 February 2026 |
| Location: | UK |
| Remote working: | Fully remote |
| Company: | Tara Engineering Solutions Ltd |
| Job type: | Permanent |
| Job reference: | TES_07_2026 |
Summary
Job Purpose
To lead and manage supplier development, strategic sourcing, cost optimization, and localization initiatives for automotive & engineering components, ensuring quality, cost competitiveness, timely delivery, and alignment with new product development and production requirements.
Occasional travel within the UK, EU, India & across Globe for supplier / client visits, presentations & trade shows
________________________________________
Key Job Duties & Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management
• Define and execute sourcing strategies for automotive components (Sheet metal, ABS / GRP - plastic, Glass, electronics, powertrain, chassis, interiors, etc.).
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers (local and global).
• Lead supplier negotiations for pricing, tooling, contracts, and long-term agreements.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives through VA/VE, localization, and alternate sourcing.
• Manage supplier performance (QCDDM – Quality, Cost, Delivery, Development, Management).
Supplier Development & Localization
• Lead supplier development programs to improve quality, capacity, and technical capability.
• Support localization of imported parts to reduce cost and dependency.
• Conduct supplier audits (process, quality systems, capacity, compliance).
• Work closely with suppliers on APQP, PPAP, and SOP readiness.
• Resourcing across geographies to bring in Synergy / Cost reduction / Quality improvement for value addition.
New Product Development (NPD) Support
• Collaborate with R&D, Engineering, and Manufacturing during new model development.
• Ensure early supplier involvement for design feasibility and cost optimization.
• Finalize suppliers for new parts within project timelines.
• Track tooling development and trial approvals.
Quality & Compliance
• Ensure supplier compliance with automotive quality standards (IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001).
• Drive zero-defect mindset and continuous improvement.
• Handle supplier-related quality issues and corrective actions.
Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Coordination
• Lead and mentor sourcing and development teams.
• Coordinate with Production, Quality, Finance, Logistics, and R&D teams.
• Develop KPIs and performance dashboards for sourcing activities.
________________________________________
Required Skills
Technical & Professional Skills
• Strong knowledge of automotive components and manufacturing processes
• Expertise in strategic sourcing and supplier development
• Costing knowledge (should-costing, BOM analysis, tooling cost evaluation)
• Technical feasibility study and its sign-off with supplier partner & customer.
• Part cost settlement based on ZBC, target Cost and competitive commercials
• Fixture, Tooling & Gauges Management – Commercial, technical, tooling ownership and tooling agreement.
• Understanding of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA
• Contract negotiation and vendor management skills
• Know-how of India based suppliers Manufacturing process and technology
Leadership & Behavioural Skills
• Strong leadership and decision-making ability
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Analytical and problem-solving mindset
• Ability to work in fast-paced, project-driven environments
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Proven experience working in India within the automotive manufacturing industry or specifically with Indian manufacturers or suppliers is desirable
• Familiarity with sustainability and ethical sourcing frameworks.
________________________________________
Experience Required
• 20–30 years of experience in automotive sourcing, procurement, or supplier development
• Minimum 15+ years in a leadership role handling strategic sourcing or supplier development
• Experience working with Tier-1 / Tier-2 automotive suppliers
• Exposure to OEM environments preferred
• Experience in localization and cost-reduction projects is essential
________________________________________
Educational Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical / Automobile / Production / Industrial) – Mandatory
• Post Graduation Study – Degree / Diploma, Master’s degree (MBA – Supply Chain / Operations / Procurement/ Finance/ Material Science) Or Equivalent experience – Preferred
• Certifications in Supply Chain, Six Sigma, or Quality Systems Or Equivalent experience will be an Added advantage
________________________________________
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Cost reduction and savings achieved
• Supplier quality performance (PPM, rejection rate)
• On-time supplier delivery performance
• Localization and new supplier development success
• NPD sourcing milestone adherence
• Timely deliveries and Development Lead time optimization
To lead and manage supplier development, strategic sourcing, cost optimization, and localization initiatives for automotive & engineering components, ensuring quality, cost competitiveness, timely delivery, and alignment with new product development and production requirements.
Occasional travel within the UK, EU, India & across Globe for supplier / client visits, presentations & trade shows
________________________________________
Key Job Duties & Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Management
• Define and execute sourcing strategies for automotive components (Sheet metal, ABS / GRP - plastic, Glass, electronics, powertrain, chassis, interiors, etc.).
• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers (local and global).
• Lead supplier negotiations for pricing, tooling, contracts, and long-term agreements.
• Drive cost reduction initiatives through VA/VE, localization, and alternate sourcing.
• Manage supplier performance (QCDDM – Quality, Cost, Delivery, Development, Management).
Supplier Development & Localization
• Lead supplier development programs to improve quality, capacity, and technical capability.
• Support localization of imported parts to reduce cost and dependency.
• Conduct supplier audits (process, quality systems, capacity, compliance).
• Work closely with suppliers on APQP, PPAP, and SOP readiness.
• Resourcing across geographies to bring in Synergy / Cost reduction / Quality improvement for value addition.
New Product Development (NPD) Support
• Collaborate with R&D, Engineering, and Manufacturing during new model development.
• Ensure early supplier involvement for design feasibility and cost optimization.
• Finalize suppliers for new parts within project timelines.
• Track tooling development and trial approvals.
Quality & Compliance
• Ensure supplier compliance with automotive quality standards (IATF 16949, ISO 9001, ISO 14001).
• Drive zero-defect mindset and continuous improvement.
• Handle supplier-related quality issues and corrective actions.
Team Leadership & Cross-Functional Coordination
• Lead and mentor sourcing and development teams.
• Coordinate with Production, Quality, Finance, Logistics, and R&D teams.
• Develop KPIs and performance dashboards for sourcing activities.
________________________________________
Required Skills
Technical & Professional Skills
• Strong knowledge of automotive components and manufacturing processes
• Expertise in strategic sourcing and supplier development
• Costing knowledge (should-costing, BOM analysis, tooling cost evaluation)
• Technical feasibility study and its sign-off with supplier partner & customer.
• Part cost settlement based on ZBC, target Cost and competitive commercials
• Fixture, Tooling & Gauges Management – Commercial, technical, tooling ownership and tooling agreement.
• Understanding of APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA
• Contract negotiation and vendor management skills
• Know-how of India based suppliers Manufacturing process and technology
Leadership & Behavioural Skills
• Strong leadership and decision-making ability
• Excellent negotiation and stakeholder management skills
• Analytical and problem-solving mindset
• Ability to work in fast-paced, project-driven environments
• Effective communication and presentation skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Proven experience working in India within the automotive manufacturing industry or specifically with Indian manufacturers or suppliers is desirable
• Familiarity with sustainability and ethical sourcing frameworks.
________________________________________
Experience Required
• 20–30 years of experience in automotive sourcing, procurement, or supplier development
• Minimum 15+ years in a leadership role handling strategic sourcing or supplier development
• Experience working with Tier-1 / Tier-2 automotive suppliers
• Exposure to OEM environments preferred
• Experience in localization and cost-reduction projects is essential
________________________________________
Educational Qualifications
• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Mechanical / Automobile / Production / Industrial) – Mandatory
• Post Graduation Study – Degree / Diploma, Master’s degree (MBA – Supply Chain / Operations / Procurement/ Finance/ Material Science) Or Equivalent experience – Preferred
• Certifications in Supply Chain, Six Sigma, or Quality Systems Or Equivalent experience will be an Added advantage
________________________________________
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
• Cost reduction and savings achieved
• Supplier quality performance (PPM, rejection rate)
• On-time supplier delivery performance
• Localization and new supplier development success
• NPD sourcing milestone adherence
• Timely deliveries and Development Lead time optimization