Key Responsibilities * Lead, mentor, and guide a team of Process Excellence associates Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) specialists, and Quality Engineers to deliver measurable business outcomes * Allocate team resources across improvement projects, auditing schedules, and process mapping initiatives * Build internal consulting capability by training team members on Lean, Six Sigma, and Value Stream Mapping (VSM) methodologies * Map, standardize, and continuously refine end-to-end Research & Development departments from concept generation through design, validation, and commercial launch * Identify operational bottlenecks, waste, and variation in plant operations, supply chain, and administrative workflows * Design and deploy Lean Six Sigma frameworks (DMAIC, Kaizen, 5S, Poka-Yoke) to optimize yield, throughput, and cycle time * Lead change management efforts to ensure successful adoption of new processes and practices, minimizing resistance and maximizing engagement * Partner with cross-functional leadership (Factory Operations, Sales, Marketing, Supply Chain, Quality Assurance, Product Design and Engineering) to implement high-impact Process Improvement initiatives * Work with Engineering & Product teams to streamline rapid prototyping workflows, pre-production runs, and testing phases to shorten time-to-market * Establish standard operating procedures (SOPs) and control points for prototype build reviews, design validation testing (DVT), and process validation testing (PVT) * Oversee the end-to-end documentation of core R&D processes, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), and Value Stream Maps (AS-IS and TO-BE models) * Drive digital transformation by facilitating integration of process automation and digital workflow tools into traditional manufacturing environments * Establish and manage an enterprise-wide Process Compliance Audit Framework to ensure adherence to internal standards & also support certification to external standards like ISO * Conduct periodic process compliance audits, identify non-conformance root causes, and enforce Corrective and Preventive Action (CAPA) plans * Deliver regular audit compliance scorecards and risk reports to executive leadership * Deep understanding of DMAIC frameworks, waste elimination (Muda, Mura, Muri), cycle-time reduction, and root-cause analysis * Deep understanding of Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP), Stage-Gate frameworks, DFMEA/PFMEA, Prototyping cycles, and GTM readiness metrics Ideal Candidate * B.E. / B.Tech / M.Tech in Mechanical, Automotive, Electrical Engineering. Master’s / MBA is a strong advantage  * Strong domain expertise in Manufacturing or Automotive / OEM / Auto-Ancillary environments * 10+ years of total experience, with a significant track record in R&D Process Excellence, New Product Development (NPD), or Engineering Operations in Manufacturing or Automotive OEMs/Tier-1 suppliers * Demonstrated transformation experience within R&D functions across industries like Automotive, CPG, FMCG, High-Tech is mandatory for this role * Certifications as a Lean Practitioner, Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt, Design Thinking or Certified ISO Internal Auditor will be an added advantage