Karthikeyen Pitchai

I am a highly motivated and results-driven professional with a proven track record in the automobile industry seeking a position as a Senior Buyer in Purchasing/ Procurement/ Supply Chain Management. Offering extensive experience in sourcing, procurement, and supplier relationship management, along with a deep understanding of the automotive market. Committed to driving cost savings, optimizing supply chain processes, ensuring the timely delivery of high-quality components for assembly and optimising inventory.

Senior Buyer – Sourcing & Purchasing/ Procurement – New Product Development

(Alliance Purchasing Organisation - APO) Renault Nissan Mitsubishi Alliance – Renault Nissan Technology and Business Centre India Private Limited (RNTBCI) | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India | March 2014 - September 2021.

Souring and Development of Interior Parts – Handled commodities like Seats, Headliners, Carpets, Insulators, Fasteners, Map lamps and Catalogue parts.

Collaborate closely with engineering, design, and manufacturing teams to understand project requirements and develop comprehensive sourcing strategies for new product development & launches.

Conduct market research to identify potential suppliers, evaluate their capabilities, and negotiate favourable terms and conditions to maximize value.

Manage the entire procurement process, including RFQs, supplier selection, price negotiations, development, contract management, ERP systems, inventory management and ensuring compliance with quality standards and delivery timelines.

Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, fostering partnerships to drive continuous improvement, cost reductions, and innovation.

Monitor supplier performance and resolve any issues related to quality, delivery, or pricing discrepancies, taking proactive measures to mitigate risks and ensure on-time product launches.

Lead cross-functional teams to drive cost optimization initiatives, identifying areas for supplier consolidation, standardization, and value engineering.

Collaborate with internal stakeholders to develop and implement cost reduction strategies, supporting profitability goals while maintaining product quality.

Achieve management's targeted Year-On-Year cost reduction through Right Sizing & Material cost optimization.

Stay updated on industry trends, market dynamics, and emerging technologies, proactively identifying potential risks and opportunities for the organization.

Achievements:

Received the Best Employee - Golden award for outstanding achievement in cost reduction, resulting in savings of CAD 19 million in Interior parts (2021).

Honoured with the Best Leader award for successfully sourcing products within specified milestones while leading a team of 8 resources during Pandemic Situation (2020).

Awarded the Vice-President award for excellence as the top-performing buyer in Direct Procurement for overachieving the Cost reduction targets and development milestones (2018).

Acknowledged with the Best Buyer award for successfully handling the procurement of 6 Major interior parts (Seats, Headliner, Carpets, Insulators, Springs and Fasteners) for new vehicle assembly (2017).

Project Buyer (Graduate Engineer Trainee) - New Product Development

(Projects – Sourcing & Purchasing) | WABCO India Limited | Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India December 2011 – December 2013.

Development of Air Braking Systems - Foot Break Valves, Hand Brake Valves, Adjusting Valve which comprises of Aluminium Casting & Anodization, Plastic components, Rubber components, Connectors, Catalogue parts, Fasteners and Surface treatment (Plating).

§  Assisted in developing and implementing sourcing strategies for new product launches, collaborating with cross-functional teams to ensure timely project execution.

§  Conducted supplier evaluations, analysing technical specifications, quality control processes, and pricing structures to select the most suitable suppliers.

§  Negotiated contracts and terms with suppliers, focusing on cost reductions, quality improvements, and on-time delivery.

§  Monitored supplier performance, addressing any issues related to quality, delivery, or pricing, and implementing corrective actions as required.

§  Participated in cost optimization initiatives, collaborating with stakeholders to identify areas for savings and efficiency improvements.

§  Prepared and presented reports and updates to management, providing insights on procurement activities, supplier performance, and cost savings achieved.

§  Conducted cost reduction workshops involving R&D, Production and Testing Teams for driving cost reduction ideas.

Achievements:

• Received the Young Achiever award for accomplishing successful product development ahead of the program milestone without supervision (2013).

• Honoured with the Best Employee award for achieving the highest cost reduction accomplishment of CAD 8.5 million through engineering right sizing (2012).

Master of Business Administration – MBA
University Canada West, Vancouver, British Columbia. January 2021 – September 2023 (In progress)

Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration - PGDBA Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning, Pune, Maharashtra, India. June 2014 – August 2016 (CGPA: 6.80)

Bachelor of Technology - B. Tech
Mechanical Engineering
Dr.MGR University, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India. June 2007 – June 2011 (CGPA: 7.86)