Kia India is seeking a result-oriented Trim Exterior Buyer with 2 to 8 years of experience to join its major automotive manufacturing facility in Penukonda, Andhra Pradesh. This role focuses on end-to-end procurement, vendor development, and cost optimization for exterior trim components and painted plastic parts.
Job Details
| Attribute | Information |
| Hiring Company | Kia India |
| Open Position | Trim Exterior Buyer |
| Years of Experience | 2 to 8 Years |
| Location | Penukonda, Andhra Pradesh, India |
| Estimated Salary Range | ₹7.0 Lakhs – ₹13.5 Lakhs Per Annum (approximate market standard for 2–8 yrs exp at Kia India) |
| Work Type | Full-Time |
About Company
Kia India, a subsidiary of Kia Corporation, operates a state-of-the-art integrated automotive manufacturing plant in Erramanchi village, Penukonda, Sri Sathya Sai District, Andhra Pradesh. Spanning over 536 acres, the plant produces popular passenger vehicle models including the Seltos, Sonet, and Carens. The facility features advanced stamping, body, paint, and assembly shops with high automation, driving cutting-edge mobility solutions and localized automotive component ecosystems across India.
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Job Description
As a Trim Exterior Buyer at Kia India, you will manage end-to-end sourcing, supplier development, and cost control for exterior vehicle trims and painted plastic components. Your responsibilities cover early-stage supplier research, RFQ/bidding execution, tool cost settlements, capacity management, and life-cycle cost innovation while adhering to ARAI and BIS regulatory standards.
Requirements & Required Skills
- Core Technical Expertise: Hands-on experience in sourcing exterior trim parts, injection molding processes, and plastic painted parts.
- Component & Supplier Development: Proven track record in supplier research, tool development milestones, EO/4M management, and vendor capacity planning.
- Cost & Value Engineering: Proficiency in cost innovation frameworks including VAVE, benchmarking, localization, LTA, cost workshops, and cost audits.
- Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge of ARAI certifications, BIS Quality Control Orders (QCOs), and automotive homologation guidelines.
- Commercial Management: Experience drafting and executing Basic Purchasing Agreements, Leave & Licence agreements, and contract renewals.
Roles and Responsibilities
- Sourcing Activities: Conduct supplier research, spec reviews, RFQs, quote analyses, supplier selection, and bidding pool enhancement.
- Parts Development: Oversee tool development, project milestone tracking, early-phase cost/design optimization, and EO/4M management.
- Price Finalization: Settle component prices for trim parts, plastic painted parts, and tooling costs.
- Cost Innovation: Drive LTA, localization, VAVE, benchmarking, alternate sourcing, productivity improvements, cost audits, and cost workshops.
- Regulations & Compliance: Ensure adherence to statutory standards such as ARAI certifications and BIS QCOs.
- Vendor Capacity Management: Oversee supplier capacity through Start of Production (SOP) and serial-life demand fluctuations.
- Quality Countermeasures: Support the quality team in executing effective countermeasures for parts-related quality issues.
- Contracts Management: Manage timely sign-offs and renewals for Basic Purchasing Agreements and Leave & Licence agreements.
- Database Maintenance: Ensure accurate maintenance of critical purchasing data, reports, and compliance documents.
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Skills You’ll Gain
| Category | Specific Tools & Competencies Mastered |
| Procurement & Sourcing | RFQ Analysis, Bidding, Supplier Pool Expansion, Contract Agreements. |
| Technical Domain | Injection Molding, Painted Plastic Parts, Exterior Trim Components. |
| Cost Management | VAVE, Localization, Benchmarking, LTA, Tooling Cost Audits. |
| Quality & Compliance | ARAI Regulations, BIS QCO Standards, 4M/EO Management. |
Estimated Compensation & Application Info
- Compensation: ₹7.0 LPA – ₹13.5 LPA (Approximate market rate for 2–8 years of automotive buyer experience at Kia India).
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Frequently Asked Interview Questions (With Answers & Solution Guidelines)
Injection Molding & Tooling Cost Finalization
- Question:“How do you evaluate and settle tooling costs and piece prices for plastic injection-molded exterior components?”
- Answer & Solution Context: Focus on raw material indexation, machine tonnage rates, cycle times, cavity counts, scrap rates, and cost-breakup sheets during RFQ evaluation.
Supplier Capacity & VAVE Implementation
- Question:“What steps do you take to implement VAVE and localization for exterior parts without impacting ARAI/BIS regulatory approvals?”
- Answer & Solution Context: Detail alternate material evaluation, weight reduction, local vendor identification, combined with re-testing/homologation timelines aligned with ARAI compliance guidelines.