Senior Strategic Sourcing Engineer

Job Title: Senior Engineer, Direct Material

Job Purpose
To drive strategic sourcing initiatives for direct materials and critical components with a focus on cost optimization, vendor development, supply risk mitigation, and continuous process & product improvement. The role aims to create a reliable, competitive, and sustainable supplier base aligned with business growth and technical innovations in automated car parking systems.

Key Responsibilities
1. Strategic Sourcing for Direct Material

• Identify and develop alternate suppliers for critical and high-value materials/components.
• Conduct market intelligence, supplier benchmarking, and cost analysis to derive sourcing strategies.
• Lead RFQ/RFP processes, evaluate quotations, and finalize sourcing decisions aligned with cost, quality, and delivery benchmarks.
• Ensure long-term rate contracts (LRCs), MoUs, or SLAs with key vendors to lock in commercial terms.

2. Value Engineering & Cost Optimization

• Work with Engineering and Design teams to identify and implement cost reduction ideas (design-to-cost, make-or-buy, material substitution, modularization, etc.).
• Analyze total cost of ownership (TCO) and drive initiatives to reduce landed cost including packaging, transport, and logistics optimization.
• Leverage commodity trends to negotiate better input cost structures.

3. Supplier Development & Audits

• Develop suppliers for new technologies, capabilities, and processes critical to product success & marching ahead of the curve/ competition
• Conduct supplier audits and capability assessments with cross-functional teams (quality, engineering, manufacturing).
• Ensure suppliers meet quality certifications and process standards (ISO, OSHAS etc.).

4. Product & Process Improvement

• Collaborate with Engineering and Manufacturing teams to drive supplier-driven innovation and process improvements
• Apply strategies not limiting to India but working on BCC sourcing
• Implement design-to-value or design-for-manufacture strategies with suppliers.

5. Risk Management & Continuity Planning

• Identify single-source risks and develop dual/multi-sourcing strategies.
• Build supply continuity plans for high-impact categories and components.
• Monitor geopolitical, regulatory, and supply-side risks to adjust sourcing proactively.

6. Strategic Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)

• Lead periodic performance reviews and business development discussions with strategic vendors.
• Develop vendor scorecards and lead corrective/preventive action plans
• Foster long-term partnerships and joint innovation initiatives.

7. Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Partner with Engineering, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Project Execution teams for sourcing alignment.
• Act as sourcing representative in new product development (NPD) and value engineering (VE) projects.

Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Not limiting to: Annual cost savings through sourcing initiatives Number of alternate vendors developed for critical components Supplier performance (OTD, quality, responsiveness) Localisation/Indigenisation success rate Value engineering ideas implemented Supply risk mitigation index TCO reduction across key categories

Skills & Competencies
In-depth knowledge of sourcing processes and supply market intelligence¢ Strong commercial and negotiation skills¢ Technical understanding of mechanical, structural, electrical, and automation components¢ Supplier development & audit experience¢ Familiarity with lean manufacturing and value engineering principles¢ Analytical and decision-making ability¢ Proficiency in ERP systems (SAP preferred)¢ Excellent communication and cross-functional coordination skills

Educational Qualifications
B.E. / B.Tech Mechanical (Preferred)Certification in Supply Chain / Sourcing / SCM/ SAP (preferred)