Apollo Tyres Ltd is an international tyre manufacturer and the leading tyre brand in India. The company has multiple manufacturing units in India and a unit each in The Netherlands and Hungary. The company markets its products under its two global brands – Apollo and Vredestein, and its products are available in over 100 countries through a vast network of branded, exclusive and multi-product outlets.

Job Title: Type Job TGroup Manager Outdoor Testing PCRitle to be Advertised
Location: Chennai R&D
Reports to (Position): Division Head
Department/Function:

Number of Direct Reports (Solid Line): 1

Number of Direct Reports (Dotted Line): 0

Number of Outsourced Reports: 1

Purpose of the Job: Responsible to lead and manage tyre testing activities for product development, validation, benchmarking, and continuous improvement. Ensure reliable subjective and objective test results, generate actionable development insights, and support product performance, quality, safety, and customer satisfaction.
Serve as the technical expert in tyre and vehicle performance evaluation, including ride, handling, braking, noise, and vehicle dynamics. Utilize advanced testing methodologies, instrumentation, data acquisition systems, and analytical tools to enable data-driven tyre development and effective problem solving.

Major Responsibilities: 

• Lead the Tyre Testing Department by defining testing strategies, priorities, methodologies, standards, and best practices aligned with product development goals, project milestones, risk assessment, resource availability, and business objectives.
• Drive passenger car tyre development, validation, benchmarking, and homologation through subjective and objective evaluation of Ride, Handling, Steering, Braking, Noise,  and tyre dynamics – Internal & Jointly with OEM.
• Lead end-to-end testing activities including test planning, resource allocation, instrumentation setup, test execution, data acquisition, post-processing, analysis, interpretation, and reporting in accordance with standard procedures.
• Utilize objective test data and engineering expertise to generate actionable insights, support data-driven decision making, optimize tyre performance, identify root causes of issues, and recommend corrective actions to product development team.
• Translate test results into clear technical recommendations and design inputs to support product development.
• Ensure timely execution and delivery of multiple testing projects while collaborating effectively with cross-functional teams to meet business targets.
• Lead, coach, and develop a high-performing testing team by providing technical guidance, mentoring & competency development.
• Manage testing resources, budgets, facilities, and equipment while fostering a culture of safety, quality, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.

Skills: 

Communication in English with presentation skills
Observation, Analytical & Lateral thinking skills, Passion to work with R&D mind set up

Knowledge:

a) Good Subjective Driving skills / Vehicle level Testing
b) Knowledge of Vehicle & Tyre Dynamics
b) Safety basics, MS Office,  

Relevant Experience: Minimum 10 years’ experience in Testing at Automotive OE / vehicle level Tyre testing

Education Qualification(s): B.Tech / BE - Mechanical / Automobile