Purchase Engineer

Role & responsibilities

Pre-Sales Costing & Quotation Management:

• Collaborate closely with the Design Engineer and Controls Engineer to understand the technical specifications and Bill of Materials for conceptual automation and robotics solutions.
• Obtain timely and competitive quotations from approved suppliers for all components, including robots, PLCs, HMIs, servo drives, sensors, actuators, vision systems, structural materials, and custom-fabricated parts.
• Develop and maintain a comprehensive database of supplier pricing, lead times, and terms for frequently used automation and robotics components.
• Analyze supplier quotations to identify cost-saving opportunities, alternative components, and potential risks.
• Provide accurate and real-time material costing inputs to the Sales Head for the preparation of budgetary and detailed proposals.
• Ensure that all proposed costs align with market conditions and company profitability targets.

2. Supplier Relationship Management (Pre-Sales Focus):

• Establish and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers and vendors in the automation and robotics industry.
• Proactively identify and evaluate new potential suppliers to expand procurement options and ensure competitive pricing.
• Negotiate favourable terms, pricing, and delivery schedules with suppliers during the pre-sales phase to support aggressive proposal timelines.
• Monitor supplier performance, specifically their responsiveness and accuracy during the quotation process.

3. Feasibility & Risk Assessment (Procurement Aspect):

• Conduct feasibility studies from a procurement perspective, assessing the availability of specialized components, potential long lead times, and supply chain risks for proposed solutions.
• Identify potential bottlenecks in the supply chain that could impact project timelines or costs, and propose mitigation strategies.
• Work with the Sales Head to assess the impact of fluctuating material costs on proposal pricing.

4. Documentation & Compliance:

• Maintain meticulous records of all supplier quotations, purchase orders (for pre-sales), lead times, and communication.
• Ensure all procurement activities adhere to company policies, ethical standards, and relevant industry regulations.
• Support the Sales Head in preparing and handling NDA and other confidentiality documents with suppliers and customers, as they relate to procurement.
• Contribute to ISO and other compliance documentation related to the procurement process.

5. Inter-Departmental Collaboration:

• Work seamlessly with the Sales Head, Design Engineers, Controls Engineers, Project Management, and Finance teams to ensure alignment of technical specifications, budget, and project timelines.
• Provide critical input during proposal reviews to validate material costs and procurement feasibility.
• Support the Sales Head in preparing and delivering any procurement-related information during customer presentations or discussions.
• Prepare for seamless handover of procurement details to the dedicated Purchase Team once a project is awarded.