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.
- Robust 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.

📌 Platform Head (India)
🏢 Symbiosis Management Consultants P
📍 India