Dynamic Program Manager with 20 years of extensive experience in automotive project management and cost control, driving significant improvements across global vehicle development initiatives. Expertise in vehicle cost management for both ICE and EV platforms, implementing strategic budget preparation and robust cost reduction strategies. Proven ability to foster collaboration across cross-functional teams, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and enhancing operational efficiency. Committed to continuous improvement and leveraging analytical skills to optimize project profitability and performance.
Hi, I’m
Ravichandran R
Program Manager (Automotive sector)
Tiruvallur,TN
Summary
Overview
20
years of professional experience
2007
years of post-secondary education
3
Languages
Work History
Nissan Motor IndiaChennai, Tamil Nadu
Program Manager, Overseas Program Director–AMIEO
11.2023 - Current
Job overview
- Managed large vehicle programs across different platforms and global markets, ensuring they stayed on schedule and within budget.
- Created and tracked program budgets, forecasts, and financial reports to monitor spending and support business decisions.
- Managed cost-saving opportunities in design, manufacturing, and supplier contracts, helping reduce overall program costs.
- Built strong business cases for new vehicle programs, showing how they would meet company goals and generate returns.
- Monitored program expenses through each stage—planning, development, and launch—to ensure financial targets were met.
- Worked closely with finance teams to manage contracts, control costs, and keep pricing aligned with targets.
- Balanced the need for shared vehicle parts across platforms with market-specific features to stay cost-effective and competitive.
- Reviewed changes to the program scope and evaluated how they would affect cost, timing, and profit margins.
- Shared regular financial updates with executives, using clear dashboards to show progress and flag risks.
- Improved cost performance by tightening cost controls and improving team coordination.
Renault Nissan Technology & Business Center IndiaChennai, Tamil Nadu
GLOBAL A-PLATFORM FAMILY PROJECT LEADER
01.2016 - 11.2023
Job overview
- Global Eco Leader for A-Platform Renault Vehicle (Delegation from Renault Corp France).
- Performing Vehicle cost Management for both ICE & EV powered vehicle belongs to India, Europe, China, Brazil.
- Responsible for cost controlling and cost reporting for all the vehicle developments across the global.
- Project & Serial Life Management and Reporting. QCDW confirmation during each Milestone.
- Vehicle COGS Monthly Reporting.
- Budget Preparation and Average COGS Reporting.
- Yearly Target Setting, Performance Measurement and Reporting.
- Cost Reduction Drive Management like VAVE, Competitor Teardown Analysis, Vehicle Benchmarking.
- EV Vehicle, HV Battery Specific Cost Reduction activities & China supplier discussion to optimize the cost.
- BOM Management, Automation in BOM Analysis for Evolution & Reporting.
- Costing Knowledge on Zero Based Costing, Should Costing, Quickly Costing & Costing based on Benchmarking.
- Optimize concept selection from a profitability and product cost perspective.
- Deliver full profitability analysis / business case for projects.
- Support Material Cost Evolution Controlling in product cost variance.
- Support a strong collaboration with Engineering and Purchasing bringing the product cost management culture into the cross functional work.
- Successfully led multiple projects simultaneously while maintaining a focus on priorities, resource allocation, and overall strategic objectives.
Renault Nissan Technology & Business Center IndiaSeoul & Chennai, South Korea & Tamil Nadu, India
PROJECT COST MANAGER
01.2012 - 12.2015
Job overview
- Projects include Renault, Nissan and Datsun Vehicles for India, South Korea, Indonesia, Europe, China Markets.
- Accomplished launch of 3 SUV Projects in South Korea @ Renault Samsung Motors, South Korea.
- Cross Functional CFT Co-ordination, Top Management Project Reviews, Gateway Reviews clearance for Projects.
- Project Cost Tracking, Cost Reduction proposals to achieve project Cost target.
- Maintain Communication with all stakeholders at multiple levels, including those external to the organization.
- Responsible in terms of projects directed toward strategic business and other organizational objectives.
- Manages budget for the Project to influence Organization's Financial Profitability.
- Manages to allocate Optimized Overall Budget to Various Scope of the Project Cost.
- Strategic Proposal on Project and Product Planning for Project profitability improvement.
- Participation on the Business strategy for lowering the cost and improving project profitability.
- Knowledge on Various Automotive Product Technologies to do Quick Product Cost Estimation.
- Weekly interaction with Global Project specialist and overseas project teams for exports programs.
- Gap Analysis against Supplier Quotation to identify potential area of negotiation to support Procurement function.
Renault Nissan Technology & Business Center India
COSTING SPECIALIST (PAINT & SEALANTS)
12.2007 - 12.2011
Job overview
- Market Research to confirm demand and assess suitability of proposed offerings.
- Trainer for Project Cost Management and Mass Production Reporting for the team.
- BOM preparation and modification tracking with Engineering.
- Supplier Quotation tracking and Quotation Analysis. Competitor analysis and Benchmarking.
- Leading special cost reduction program for specific project benefit in the business unit.
- Cost Reduction Roadmap Preparation & monthly status reporting.
- Tracks on Project Localization ratio & monthly status reporting.
ASIANPPG
Technical Office, Automotive Division
03.2006 - 11.2007
Job overview
- Managing various Customer as per the Statement of Work.
- Managing and perform the process of Statement of Work and business creation to secure new and follow-on work.
- Served as client manager to implement client-server billing and customer care solutions.
- Key Contributor in New Product Business Development in Pune Region.
- Process Parameters Analysis and maintaining it within the operating range thus enabling to produce a Consistent OEM Quality and reduced cost consumption.
- Regular Process monitoring and process parameter documentation for future analysis.
- Regular Reporting on Process and Production Status to the concern superiors.
- Analysis on reducing cost by implanting new ideas in process.
- Trouble Shooting, Defects Analysis and Root Cause Analysis.
- Consumption Controlling on Client Process Condition.
Education
University of Madras
Master of Business Administration from Finance
University Overview
GPA: 62%
Sriram Engineering College
B.Tech from CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
University Overview
- First Class with Distinction
- GPA: 77%
Skills
MS Office
undefinedPersonal Information
Personal Information
- Date of Birth: 10/01/82
- Gender: Male
- Marital Status: Married
Availability
See my work availability
Not Available
Available
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Accomplishments
Accomplishments
- Used Microsoft Excel & VB Coding to develop Automated Cost Evolution Analysis and Reporting Tool
- Achieved Productivity Improvement in the team by completing Automated Reporting with accuracy and efficiency.
Quote
Everyone you will ever meet knows something you don’t.
Languages
English
Advanced (C1)
Tamil
Advanced (C1)
Hindi
Intermediate (B1)
Interests
Travelling
Timeline
Program Manager, Overseas Program Director–AMIEO
Nissan Motor India
11.2023 - Current
GLOBAL A-PLATFORM FAMILY PROJECT LEADER
Renault Nissan Technology & Business Center India
01.2016 - 11.2023
PROJECT COST MANAGER
Renault Nissan Technology & Business Center India
01.2012 - 12.2015
COSTING SPECIALIST (PAINT & SEALANTS)
Renault Nissan Technology & Business Center India
12.2007 - 12.2011
Technical Office, Automotive Division
ASIANPPG
03.2006 - 11.2007
Sriram Engineering College
B.Tech from CHEMICAL ENGINEERING
01.2004
University of Madras
Master of Business Administration from Finance
01.2007
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