Procurement And Supplier Development Associate Supply Chain

We are not looking for someone who manages purchase orders from a laptop. We are looking for someone who can build supplier networks, negotiate aggressively, reduce costs, and solve sourcing problems on the ground.

This Role Is NOT For You If

• You prefer desk-based procurement.
  
• Most of your experience is creating POs, updating ERP systems, or tracking approvals.
  
• You are uncomfortable with supplier visits and commercial negotiations.
  
• You prefer process management over execution.
  

• Identify, evaluate, and develop suppliers across aerospace, automotive, industrial, fabrication, machining, electronics, and related manufacturing sectors.
  
• Travel extensively to supplier locations and industrial clusters to assess manufacturing capabilities.
  
• Negotiate commercial terms, lead times, payment conditions, tooling costs, and long-term supply agreements.
  
• Create competition between suppliers and continuously drive cost reduction opportunities.
  
• Build alternate vendor ecosystems to reduce risk and improve supply reliability.
  
• Work closely with engineering teams to understand requirements and convert them into sourcing strategies.
  
• Conduct supplier audits, capability assessments, and commercial evaluations.
  
• Develop deep understanding of manufacturing processes and cost structures.
  
• Resolve supply bottlenecks, quality concerns, and delivery issues directly with vendors.
  
• Support rapid scaling of operations through strong supplier relationships and execution.
  

Requirements

• 0-5 years of experience in sourcing, procurement, vendor development, supply chain.
  
• Comfortable spending significant time on supplier visits and factory floors.
  
• Strong commercial negotiation skills.
  
• Ability to understand manufacturing processes, fabrication, machining, industrial components, and engineering drawings.
  
• Proven history of achieving measurable cost reductions.
  
• High ownership and willingness to solve problems independently.
  
• Comfortable working in fast-paced startup environments.
  

• Experience in aerospace, automotive, heavy engineering, industrial manufacturing, electronics manufacturing, or defence sectors.
  
• Supplier development or vendor audit experience.
  
• Understanding of cost estimation and manufacturing economics.