Vendor Development Manager - Electrical (Frame & Fabrication)

About Oben Electric

Oben Electric is committed to integrating world-class engineering and automobile standards into the Indian electric vehicle (EV) sector. Established in 2020 by IIT Kharagpur and IIM Bangalore alumni, the company designs, develops, and manufactures electric two-wheelers entirely in India, offering innovative solutions in a rapidly growing industry.

Joining Oben Electric means becoming part of an innovation-driven, well-funded startup in the EV space with excellent opportunities for skill growth.

Role Overview

This role focuses on vendor development for frame and fabrication components specific to 2-wheeler electric vehicles. The successful candidate will manage supplier identification, qualification, cost optimization, and quality assurance related to frames, chassis, sheet metal parts, welded assemblies, and other fabricated components.

Key Responsibilities

• Source, assess, and onboard suppliers specializing in frame, chassis, sheet metal parts, welded assemblies, brackets, mounts, and other fabricated components for 2-wheelers.
• Oversee fabrication processes including laser cutting, bending, stamping, pressing, welding, and machining to drive vendor advancements.
• Collaborate closely with cross-functional teams such as Design, R&D, Quality Assurance, Supplier Quality Assurance, Supply Chain Management, and Production to ensure feasibility, manufacturability, and timely delivery.
• Lead supplier technical evaluations, capability audits, and qualification activities ensuring compliance with automotive standards.
• Champion value analysis and value engineering (VA/VE), localization initiatives, cost reduction efforts, and should-cost analyses to meet cost targets without sacrificing quality.
• Assess supplier capabilities in tooling, welding, fabrication infrastructure, and capacity.
• Coordinate prototype development, sample evaluation, dimensional checks, trials, and production readiness validations.
• Enforce strict adherence to engineering drawings, geometric dimensioning and tolerancing (GD&T), welding criteria, and quality requirements specific to automotive manufacturing.
• Drive Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Production Part Approval Process (PPAP), Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (FMEA), control planning, and corrective/preventive measures alongside Quality teams.
• Continuously monitor vendor performance related to quality, cost, delivery, capacity, and development schedules.
• Resolve supplier quality and production issues via root-cause analyses and structured corrective actions.
• Develop alternative supplier options to strengthen the supply base and minimize supply chain risks.
• Conduct commercial negotiations concerning tooling, development expenses, and pricing components with suppliers.

Required Skills & Experience

• More than 10 years of experience in vendor or supplier development and strategic sourcing within the 2-wheeler automotive sector.
• Proven expertise in developing vendors for frames, chassis, sheet metal parts, welded structures, and fabricated assemblies.
• Solid understanding of manufacturing and fabrication techniques including stamping, pressing, laser cutting, bending, welding, fixtures, and tooling.
• Experience in supplier technical assessments, process capability studies, new product development, and production scaling.
• Strong familiarity with engineering drawings, GD&T principles, dimensional requirements, and automotive quality frameworks.
• Demonstrated skills in cost negotiation, value analysis/value engineering, localization efforts, and supplier cost optimization.
• Competent in independently managing supplier development projects while coordinating with multiple teams.
• Excellent negotiation, analytical thinking, problem-solving, and relationship management abilities.

Educational Qualifications

B.E. or B.Tech in Mechanical, Automobile, Production Engineering, or related fields. Candidates with a relevant diploma and significant industry experience may also be considered.

Preferred Profile

• Applicants currently engaged with 2-wheeler OEMs or automotive component manufacturers supplying frame, chassis, and fabricated assemblies.
• Experience in supplier development for new vehicle platforms managing the transition from prototypes through mass production.
• Established network and insight into the Indian automotive fabrication supplier ecosystem.

Key Focus

The ideal candidate is a seasoned professional with specific expertise in developing frame and fabrication vendors for 2-wheelers, rather than general sourcing specialists focusing mainly on commercial procurement or purchase order processing.