Job Title Senior Manager – Strategic Purchase & Vendor Development
Job Purpose
To lead the strategic sourcing and vendor development function for a high-precision
manufacturing facility producing tool holders, precision gearbox assemblies, and precision
machined components. The role is responsible for developing a robust supplier network,
ensuring uninterrupted material availability, optimizing total procurement cost, improving
supplier quality and delivery performance, driving localization, mitigating supply risks, and
supporting new product development while maintaining world-class quality standards. This
role also requires strategic oversight and leadership in sourcing materials, equipment, and
services necessary for the production of high-quality / high-precision tool holders and
gearboxes. The role supports business growth through vendor capability enhancement,
localization, cost optimization, risk mitigation, and new product development
Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Procurement
• Develop and execute strategic sourcing plans aligned with business objectives.
• Formulate annual procurement strategies for direct and indirect materials.
• Identify opportunities for cost reduction and value engineering.
• Develop category strategies for critical commodities.
• Implement long-term sourcing agreements with strategic suppliers.
• Ensure procurement complies with organizational policies and governance.
2. Supplier Identification & Development
Develop Vendor base for:
• Precision CNC machined components
• Tool holder components, Gearbox housings, Gear shafts, Precision gears, Forgings,
Castings
• Heat-treated components, Surface treatment and coating processes
• Hydraulic and pneumatic components
• Bearings, Fasteners, Seals, Cutting tools, Special tooling, Packaging materials
Identify, evaluate, qualify, and develop alternate suppliers to ensure supply continuity.
3. Supplier / Vendor Qualification
Lead supplier qualification through:
• Technical, Manufacturing capability, Financial risk assessment
• Capacity & Commercial evaluation
• Process capability (Cp/Cpk)
• Quality system evaluation, sustainability assessment
Maintain and periodically review the Approved Supplier List (ASL).
4. Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation
• Lead RFQ, RFI, and RFP processes.
• Conduct techno-commercial evaluations.
• Perform total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis.
• Benchmark supplier pricing and market trends.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, logistics, tooling investments, and long-
term contracts.
• Develop should-cost models for key commodities
5. Supplier Capability Assessment
Evaluate supplier capability for:
• Precision machining accuracy, Geometric tolerances, GD&T; compliance, Surface finish




capability, Material traceability,
• SPC implementation, Process controls
• Preventive maintenance, Tool management, Calibration system, Inspection capability
6. Supplier Performance Management
Monitor supplier performance using KPIs such as:
• Supplier PPM, On-Time Delivery (OTD), Cost competitiveness, Lead time adherence,
Responsiveness, Capacity utilization
• Corrective action closure, Audit scores, Warranty and rejection trends
Conduct quarterly supplier performance reviews and implement supplier improvement plans.
7. Supplier Quality & Process Improvement
Drive supplier excellence through:
• APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, SPC, MSA, Control Plans, Standardization, Process audits
• 8D problem solving
• Lean Manufacturing, Kaizen, Six Sigma initiatives
Reduce supplier defects and improve process capability.
7. Cost Optimization
Lead initiatives for:
• Annual cost reduction, Value Engineering (VE), Value Analysis (VA)
• Productivity improvements, Process optimization, Material substitution
• Design-to-cost, Localization, Logistics optimization
Deliver annual procurement savings while maintaining quality and reliability.
8. Recent Product Development Support
Partner with Engineering and R&D; to:
• Source suppliers / vendors for current products.
• Conduct Design for Manufacturability (DFM) reviews
• Support prototype development.
• Coordinate PPAP approvals.
• Validate supplier capacity / production readiness.
• Ensure timely launch of new products.
9. Inventory & Supply Chain Optimization
• Optimize procurement lead times, Improve supplier replenishment systems.
• Reduce inventory carrying costs.
• Monitor supplier capacity against demand forecasts.
• Support S&OP; activities.
• Prevent material shortages impacting production.
10. Risk Management
Identify and mitigate risks related to:
• Single-source suppliers, Capacity constraints, Commodity price fluctuations
• Supply disruptions, Financial instability, Geopolitical risks, Regulatory compliance
Develop contingency sourcing and business continuity plans.
11. Supplier Audits
Plan and conduct:
• New supplier, Quality system, Manufacturing process, Capacity, Technical capability,
Quality system audits
Ensure timely closure of audit findings.
12. Compliance
Ensure supplier compliance with:
• ISO 9001
• ISO 14001, ISO 45001, IATF 16949 (where applicable)




• Customer-specific requirements
• RoHS/REACH (where applicable)
• Company Supplier Code of Conduct
13. Cross-Functional Collaboration
Work closely with:
• Manufacturing, Production Planning, Quality Assurance, Engineering, R&D;, Finance,
Stores, Logistics, Sales & Marketing, Project Management
Key Deliverables
• Reliable supplier base
• Zero production stoppages due to material shortages
• High supplier quality performance
• Annual procurement cost savings
• Robust localization program
• Successful recent supplier approvals
• Improved supplier delivery performance
• Reduced procurement lead time
• Strong supplier partnerships
• Sustainable procurement practices
Educational Qualifications
• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Production Engineering, Manufacturing
Engineering, or Industrial Engineering.
• MBA in Supply Chain Management, Operations, or Procurement is preferred.
• Professional certifications such as CIPS, CPSM, APICS/ASCM, Lean Six Sigma Green
Belt/Black Belt, or Lead Auditor are desirable.
Experience
• 10–15 years of progressive experience in strategic purchasing, sourcing, and vendor
development within a high-precision manufacturing environment.
• Experience with industries such as:
o High-precision tool holders
o Industrial gearboxes
o Machine tools, Precision machining
Technical Competencies
Manufacturing Processes
• CNC Turning, Milling, Multi-axis Machining, Grinding (Cylindrical, Surface, Internal),
Gear Hobbing, Gear Shaping, Gear Grinding, Broaching, Honing and Lapping
• Heat Treatment, Surface Coating and Finishing
• Forging and Casting
• Precision Assembly
Procurement & Supply Chain
• Strategic sourcing and category management
• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), Cost analysis
• Contract management
• Supplier relationship management (SRM)
• Risk management
• Inventory optimization
• S&OP; support
• Cost analysis and market intelligence
Quality & Engineering
• Engineering drawing interpretation
• GD&T;, APQP, PPAP, PFMEA, MSA, SPC
• 8D and Root Cause Analysis
• Cp/Cpk analysis
• CMM and precision metrology
Systems
• ERP systems
• Advanced Microsoft Excel, Power BI and procurement analytics
• e-Procurement platforms
Leadership Competencies
• Strategic thinking and planning
• Commercial acumen
• Negotiation and influencing
• Supplier relationship management
• Cross-functional leadership
• Data-driven decision making
• Analytical problem-solving
• Project management
• Continuous improvement
• Coaching and team development
• Stakeholder management
• Integrity and ethical sourcin

📌 Head - Strategic Purchase (Coimbatore)
🏢 People First Consultants
📍 Coimbatore