Buyer & NPD Manager - Bus Body

We are looking for a experienced professional with 4–10 years of expertise in New Product Development and Procurement Buyer specifically within the bus body building industry. The ideal candidate should possess strong technical knowledge in materials such as sheet metal, aluminum, plastic, FRP, rubber, and glass, coupled with experience in strategic sourcing, component development, costing, and quality management. This dual-function role demands close coordination with suppliers, R&D, production, and quality teams to ensure timely, cost-effective, and high-quality development of bus body components.

New Product Development (NPD)

• Lead end-to-end product development for bus body components from concept to production.
• Develop and validate parts made of sheet metal, aluminum, FRP, plastics, rubber, plywood, and glass.
• Drive APQP & PPAP processes and ensure timely part approvals.
• Coordinate with internal teams and suppliers to meet design, quality, and durability targets.
• Manage tool development, fixture planning, and define manufacturing process parameters.
• Oversee engineering change management for smooth implementation of design revisions.
• Use structured methodologies (FMEA, 8D, 5 Why, Ishikawa) to resolve quality issues.

?? Procurement Buyer / Strategic Sourcing

• Identify and develop a reliable supplier base for bus body components.
• Assess supplier capabilities (capacity, quality systems, manufacturing processes).
• Float RFQs, compare quotations, and lead cost negotiations using Zero-Based Costing principles.
• Finalize and release development agreements, LOIs, LONs, and POs in line with project milestones.
• Drive cost optimization and VA/VE activities across existing and new components.
• Build long-term vendor relationships while ensuring on-time delivery, quality, and commercial compliance.

Skills & Knowledge:

• In-depth understanding of bus body structure and components.
• Hands-on experience with materials used in bus fabrication (e.g., FRP, GI/CRCA sheet metal, plywood, aluminum, etc.).
• Proficient in quality tools: APQP, PPAP, FMEA, SPC, MSA, VDA 6.3.
• Strong analytical and negotiation skills.
• Exposure to SAP (PP/MM) modules is an added advantage.
• Fluent in English (verbal and written) for clear communication across cross-functional and global teams.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel & PowerPoint for data analysis and reporting.

To Location: Chennai, Daimler India Commercial Vehicles India Private Limited

Sureshkumar Shanmugam
Email: sureshkumar.s.s@daimlertruck.com