Senthilkumar Palanivel
Growth-Oriented Automotive Sales & Strategy Leader
Chennai
Summary
Strategic automotive leader with 23+ years of experience across Sales, Strategy, Project Management, Key Account Management, and Business Restructuring. Proven ability to define customer strategy, drive acquisition beyond RFQs, and expand Bosch’s share of content per vehicle. Recognized for customer-centric leadership, cross-functional collaboration, and global exposure (France, US, Korea, Japan). Expert in project delivery within cost, spec, and time, price management for profitability, and developing future-ready teams aligned to evolving industry trends.
Overview
1
1
Language
24
24
years of professional experience
Work History
Central Sales – Lead, Commercial Mobility South (Sr. Manager)
Bosch Ltd
01.2023 - Current
- Cultivated deep OEM relationships and engaged stakeholders promptly at RFI stage, converting competitor strategies into successful outcomes.
- Analyzed market and legislative trends to guide product and pricing strategies. Advocated for customer perspectives in global customer success management and management forums. Developed product and pricing strategies aligned with current market dynamics.
- Achieved price increases and expanded volume agreements with southern commercial OEMs. Enhanced CPV by implementing focused acquisition strategies to drive growth.
- Directed management of RMI FX and volume fluctuations, ensuring profitability via strategic price initiatives.
- Addressed customer pain points efficiently to ensure rapid resolution. Executed Bosch clone installations at customer sites to optimize performance. Cultivated trust through a proactive approach to client relations.
- Capitalized on diverse portfolio and newly acquired knowledge of SPACE products to propel collective achievement with GB stakeholders.
- Managed collaborative teams to devise strategic sales initiatives aimed at increasing market share and competitiveness.
- Engaged with product development teams to integrate offerings with customer insights, boosting client satisfaction.
Project Lead – Business Restructuring (Sr. Manager)
Bosch Electrical Drives India Pvt Ltd
09.2020 - 12.2022
- Defined relocation strategy for internal business units, ensuring P&L integrity.
- Established IPN/Satellite partners and sourcing processes across global networks.
- Released MIS reports for transparency and stakeholder trust.
- Integrated customer strategy, acquisition planning, and price management into restructuring framework.
Sales & Project Management (Group Leader/Manager)
Bosch Electrical Drives India Pvt Ltd
09.2014 - 08.2020
- Achieved acquisition targets and KPIs for Ford, Hyundai, VW, RN India, and MSIL.
- Negotiated PCR, RMI, Forex, and warranty terms; conducted global program reviews with CFT.
- Promoted beyond RFQ-based sales; strengthened customer relationship management via periodic reviews.
- Led cross-functional teams to ensure timely project completion, enhancing overall operational efficiency.
- Developed and implemented customer strategies that aligned with market trends, driving increased client engagement.
- Managed project timelines and budgets, ensuring adherence to corporate standards and stakeholder satisfaction.
- Facilitated communication between departments to streamline project workflows, improving collaboration and reducing delays.
Sales & Project Management (Asst. Manager)
Autoneum Nittoku Sound Proof Products Pvt Ltd
02.2012 - 09.2014
- Developed business plans and sales strategies for Renault Nissan & Toyota India.
- Launched programs generating 50 m INR revenue and 14% EBIT in FY2013.
New Product Development & Project Management (Sr. Executive)
Rane NSK Steering Systems Ltd
07.2006 - 02.2012
- Developed 30+ products with 1200 child parts; commissioned new machines and validated processes.
- Led process validation and capacity planning for new product launches.
Quality Assurance
Wheels India Ltd / Tusker Engineers Pvt Ltd
06.2002 - 07.2006
- Conducted supplier PPAP audits, layout inspections, and customer approvals.
- Coordinated cross-functional teams for quality improvement and supplier development.
- Led quality assurance initiatives to enhance product reliability and compliance with industry standards.
- Developed and implemented testing protocols, resulting in improved defect identification and resolution.
- Conducted comprehensive audits to ensure adherence to quality metrics, driving operational efficiency.
- Mentored junior staff on best practices in quality control, fostering a culture of continuous improvement.
Education
B.E. - Production Engineering
Anna University, MIT Campus
ChennaiM.E. - Manufacturing Engineering
Anna University, MIT Campus
ChennaiSkills
Global market evaluation
Sustainable customer engagement strategies
Leadership in content strategy
Project management – Overseeing project delivery within defined parameters
Long-term profitability oversight
Timeline
Central Sales – Lead, Commercial Mobility South (Sr. Manager)
Bosch Ltd
01.2023 - Current
Project Lead – Business Restructuring (Sr. Manager)
Bosch Electrical Drives India Pvt Ltd
09.2020 - 12.2022
Sales & Project Management (Group Leader/Manager)
Bosch Electrical Drives India Pvt Ltd
09.2014 - 08.2020
Sales & Project Management (Asst. Manager)
Autoneum Nittoku Sound Proof Products Pvt Ltd
02.2012 - 09.2014
New Product Development & Project Management (Sr. Executive)
Rane NSK Steering Systems Ltd
07.2006 - 02.2012
Quality Assurance
Wheels India Ltd / Tusker Engineers Pvt Ltd
06.2002 - 07.2006
B.E. - Production Engineering
Anna University, MIT Campus
M.E. - Manufacturing Engineering
Anna University, MIT Campus
Work Preference
Desired Job Title
Central Sales – Lead, Commercial Mobility South (Sr. Manager)Project Lead – Business Restructuring (Sr. Manager)Sales & Project Management (Group Leader/Manager)Sales & Project Management (Asst. Manager)New Product Development & Project Management (Sr. Executive)Work Type
Full TimeLocation Preference
On-SiteLocation: Chennai, INChennai, TN
Open to relocation: Yes
Salary Range
45000/yr - 200000/yrAdditional Information
Languages: English, Tamil
Additional Information
Knowledge: Automotive industry landscape, CASE domains, Bosch product offerings, quality management systems, order-to-cash processes.