International Homologation Management & Coordination

Position Name: International Homologation Management & Coordination

Department: Research and Development

Functional Area: E/T1

Location: Chakan, Pune

Years of Experience: 14-18 Years

Qualification: Diploma or B.E (Mechanical / Automobile)

Purpose of the Position

• Leading & coordinating all International homologation relevant activities in cooperation with Brand HQs, TCP, importers along with ECE and national authorities. Manages required resources & ensures all activities are completed as per agreed timeline
• Lead and monitor upcoming regulations and ensure timely compliance for all assigned projects

Authority

• Review, control & release homologation status and Represent in Pilot halls, project review meetings & other gremiums
• Represent ET department in management forums on behalf of Functional head as and when required
• Assign roles and responsibilities within team and ensure employee engagement & development
• Coordinate with Brand HQs/authorities/suppliers/importers to process homologation activities & execution

Skills Required

• Excellent communication, negotiation skills, ability to think in wider scope, Interpersonal skills, Time management budgeting, problem solving, interpersonal relationship, proactiveness, good analytical skills, Team leading skills, Interpersonal relationship, proactive & sense of economical acting, Leadership skills, strategic decision making
• Act with integrity, Train & coach people to build the best teams, Ensure freedom of information, Treat people with dignity, Generate optimism, Hold himself and others accountable, Ability to inspire and motivate
• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple homologation projects simultaneously, Networking ability and capacity to influence and mobilize others towards a common goal
• In depth knowledge of various International regulations and equivalent UNR regulations &
• their interpretations with testing methodologies & upcoming regulations necessary for compliance of critical components of electric vehicle as well as whole electric & ICE vehicles
• In depth knowledge of electric vehicle ecosystem. Well conversant with EV high voltage system components like batteries, motor, controller, charger, connectors etc.

Responsibilities and Tasks :

Lead and monitor Regulatory Compliance:

• Lead and manage the homologation process for new and existing vehicles, ensuring full compliance of vehicles, systems and components for regulatory standards, including safety, emissions, and environmental laws
• Stay up to date on changes in automotive legislation and homologation requirements across Indian and international markets, and proactively advise internal teams on future trends and necessary adjustments
• Ensure 100% compliance with all regulations in all countries. Improve quality and manage risks:
• Establish and execute local program Compliance Procedures to avoid future design and homologation issues
• Improve technical specification quality to avoid COP risk
• Handle key issues in delicate manners
• Lead the understanding of legislative requirements across programs, ensuring these are clearly defined, understood and shared with whole CFT team, making sure that requirements are followed from the start of each project and throughout project development

Lead and execute homologation activities

• Lead and manage the vehicle certification activity for assigned products with respect to components, systems & vehicle performance related tests for international markets.
• Obtain certificates & approvals within the stipulated agreed project timelines with Key focus on optimization of certification timelines and costs.
• Continuously review and improve homologation processes to reduce lead times and costs, without compromising quality or compliance
• Accountable for all aspects of the certification for the consequences of actions taken within his/her area of responsibility

Strategic Leadership actions

• Ensure strict control & adherence to agreed homologation timelines, presenting regular status at various management levels, conducting review meetings & regular reporting to the superiors & relevant departments.
• Define important strategies / directions for homologation of new programs
• Help team making right and quick decisions at critical points
• Achieve operational excellence to maintain approved budgets and positive team culture
• Ensure homologation quality, compliance and integrity during homologation process
• Establish training programs to enhance homologation knowledge within organization
• Develop and maintain tools for data management, compliance best practices and collaborative homologation processes
• Establish performance KPIs for the homologation team based on compliance accuracy, cost efficiency and interdepartmental coordination.

Responsible for Stake holders management

• Act as the primary point of contact between SAVWIPL and brand HQs along with appointed importers in each market, who at the same time manage the liaison with local government agencies, regulatory bodies, certification labs, and testing facilities
• Act as the key liaison between engineering, product development, legal, marketing and sales teams to ensure regulatory compliance
• Collaborate with govt. agencies, supplier and brand HQs partners to ensure component compliance with local and global regulations
• Develop and implement team-wide strategies to improve communication and workflow between homologation and other departments

Responsible for monitoring of Certification and documentation

• Coordination & preparation of documentation, drawings & checklists necessary for certification activities. Negotiations with local authorities and testing laboratories for WCC and timely execution of tests.
• Responsible for interaction with authorities for documents submission, testing, test report preparation, relevant clearance & corrections in documentation to ensure certificates are delivered within defined timelines.
• Negotiations with relevant local authorities and testing laboratories for worst case criteria for synergies minimize testing and budgetary impacts. Management of processing of test reports, test approvals & certificates with relevant authorities.

Responsible for monitor & execute of Homologation Testing -

• Manage relationships with test laboratories and ensure all necessary tests (safety, emissions, performance) are conducted according to the specific regulations of each country
• Supervise planning and execution of tests in WOB/MB/Ingolstadt or at any other locations with authorities as & when desired..
• Management of test facility bookings, witnessing of tests at various test locations within & outside India. Co-ordination for test vehicle/component ordering and movements.

Responsible for Cross functional collaboration -

• Coordinate & liaison with engineering teams/departments for documentation, vehicle preparation etc.
• Manage global communication with brand HQs and regional counterparts
• Work closely with engineering, product development, legal, and quality assurance teams to ensure all product specifications meet regulatory standards and facilitate the necessary modifications for compliance
• Co-ordination with Quality assurance for all COP relevant topics & Ensures conformity of manufactures vehicles as per certified documentation.
• Align homologation efforts with customer(sales & marketing) requirements and market entry strategies in consultation with change management, regulation and project management teams.
• Keep abreast of and inform the CFT team of regulatory evolution and changes, to enable a forward view of how these may affect ongoing vehicle development activities

Risk Management & Mitigation

• Responsible to establish homologation & regulatory risk assessment frameworks to identify potential non-compliance risks early during homologation and/or product development process
• Implement contingency plans for potential homologation roadblocks to ensure uninterrupted certificate delivery

Cost and Financial management

• Responsible for controlling budgetary expenses and implement economical efficient actions into homologation process
• Identify cost saving opportunities in homologation without compromising compliance
• Track, Monitor and Analyze homologation expenses and present to senior management
• Forecast regulatory compliance costs for new markets, products and compliances
• Develop and monitor a cost-effective homologation strategies to minimize certification expenses and approval delays

Homologation data management -

• Ensure proper documentation and maintenance of homologation certificates, regulatory approvals, and compliance records while ensuring they are up to date and accessible at all time as per defined processes
• Prepare and present vehicle regulatory compliance reports to senior management and/or audits
• Implement data governance frameworks to ensure accuracy, consistency and security of homologation certificates and test reports
• Ensure data security and confidentiality particularly for technical information and homologation test reports
• Develop & maintain compliance dashboard to monitor certification progress, regulatory risks and financial performance.

Team Development

• Responsible for growth and development of team / team members as business needs evolve.
• Coordinates regular reporting to the superior and all relevant departments. Conducting MBOs for team, Effective team management, Economical acting.
• Ensure proper training resources, motivation and development of sub-ordinates
• Lead, mentor and develop a team of homologation experts and regulatory compliance professionals
• Foster a culture of a continuous improvement encouraging the team to explore new homologation strategies and technologies
• Monitor performance and provide individual feedback to direct and whenever necessary indirect reports.
• Monitor and take corrective actions to bridge gaps in skills and competencies for the department
• Ensure communication cascade within team