Vendor Development Manager

Job Profile:

The Vendor Development Manager is responsible for sourcing, qualifying, and managing suppliers of solar and clean energy technology components for Bindi International. This role focuses on building a reliable vendor base for solar panels, batteries, inverters, and related technologies, covering both Indian and global suppliers. The Manager will ensure that all vendors meet technical specifications and compliance standards, negotiate optimal terms, and maintain strong long-term partnerships. This position plays a key part in ensuring cost-effective procurement, high product quality, and a resilient supply chain for our clean energy projects.

Job Responsibilities: Responsibilities include but are not limited to:

• Vendor Identification & Onboarding: Identify potential vendors (domestic and international) for solar panels, battery storage systems, inverters, and other clean energy components. Lead the vendor qualification and onboarding process, including due diligence, capability assessments, site audits, and initial sample evaluations to ensure suppliers meet Bindi’s technical and quality standards.
• Vendor Evaluation & Qualification: Conduct thorough evaluations of vendor capabilities and capacities. Verify that vendors adhere to required manufacturing processes and quality control standards. Coordinate product testing and certification checks during qualification (e.g. verify BIS/IEC certifications) before approving new suppliers.
• Contract Negotiation: Negotiate contracts, pricing, and supply agreements with vendors to secure favorable terms while maintaining quality and reliability. Manage the RFQ/RFP process for new components or projects, analyze supplier bids, and finalize purchase agreements that protect the company’s interests.
• Performance Management: Monitor and manage ongoing vendor performance using key metrics (cost, quality, delivery, and service). Develop and maintain vendor scorecards; track on-time delivery rates, defect rates, and responsiveness. Hold regular performance review meetings with vendors and implement corrective action plans or improvement initiatives for underperforming suppliers.
• Compliance & Quality Assurance: Ensure all sourced products and vendor processes comply with relevant industry and regulatory standards. Work with vendors to confirm that products have necessary certifications and meet compliance standards – for example, MNRE guidelines, BIS certifications (mandatory for solar equipment in India), and applicable IEC standards for solar modules, inverters, and batteries. Implement vendor audits and quality inspections to verify compliance and quality consistency.
• Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong long-term relationships with key suppliers. Act as the primary liaison for vendors, fostering open communication and prompt resolution of issues (e.g. supply delays, technical problems). Work on developing strategic partnerships with high-performing vendors, including long-term agreements and collaboration on new technology developments or product improvements.
• Cross-Functional Coordination: Collaborate closely with internal teams – including engineering/design, quality assurance, project management, and finance – to align vendor deliverables with project requirements and timelines. Coordinate with engineering teams to communicate technical specifications to vendors and with the supply chain/logistics team to ensure smooth delivery and inventory management.
• Strategic Sourcing & Continuous Improvement: Keep abreast of market trends in solar and clean energy technology as well as changes in material costs and supply dynamics. Identify opportunities for cost reduction (e.g. alternate materials or suppliers), vendor base consolidation, and lead-time improvement. Develop and execute sourcing strategies (such as qualifying backup suppliers or bulk purchasing agreements) to optimize cost, quality, and supply continuity for critical components.

Qualifications & Experience:

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Renewable Energy, Supply Chain Management, or a related field. (A master's degree or MBA is a plus.)
• Experience: 5+ years of experience in vendor development, procurement, or supply chain management, preferably in the solar energy, renewable energy, or electronics manufacturing sector. Proven track record in sourcing technical components and managing supplier relationships across both domestic and international vendors.
• Technical Knowledge: Strong understanding of solar and clean energy technologies – including solar PV modules, battery energy storage systems (such as lithium-ion batteries), and power electronics like inverters and charge controllers. Ability to evaluate technical specifications and quality benchmarks for these products.
• Compliance Knowledge: Familiarity with industry standards and regulatory requirements for renewable energy equipment. Knowledge of MNRE (Ministry of New and Renewable Energy) guidelines and policies related to solar projects. Hands-on experience ensuring vendor products have required BIS (Bureau of Indian Standards) certifications for the Indian market and meet relevant IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) standards (e.g. IEC certification for solar panels, inverters, batteries) and ISO quality standards. Ability to navigate compliance documentation and work with vendors to achieve necessary certifications and audits.
• Soft Skills: Excellent negotiation skills to secure competitive pricing and favorable contract terms without compromising on quality. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively engage suppliers from different cultures and collaborate with cross-functional internal teams. Effective at cross-functional coordination – able to work closely with engineering, quality, and finance teams to ensure vendor activities align with company needs. Proven relationship-building abilities to foster trust and long-term cooperation with suppliers.
• Analytical & Organizational Skills: Strong analytical mindset to assess supplier performance data, cost structures, and market trends. Proficiency in using procurement and ERP tools, as well as Excel or data analysis, to drive decisions. Excellent organizational and project management skills, capable of handling multiple vendor projects, negotiations, and deadlines simultaneously. Attention to detail in contract management and compliance tracking.
• Problem-Solving: Proactive and solutions-oriented when dealing with supply issues or quality problems. Able to troubleshoot vendor-related challenges (e.g. delivery delays, quality non-conformances) quickly and implement corrective actions. A strategic thinker who can anticipate supply risks and develop contingency plans (such as alternate sourcing options) to ensure uninterrupted operations.

Key Skills and Competencies: Success in this role will be measured by:

• Vendor Onboarding & Development: Number of high-quality vendors identified and successfully onboarded for key components (solar panels, batteries, inverters) in a given period. Establishment of a diversified and reliable vendor base (both Indian and global) for all critical product categories.
• Cost Savings & Value Improvement: Achieved cost savings or cost avoidance through effective negotiations and sourcing strategies. Percentage reduction in unit costs or improvement in payment terms year-over-year while maintaining quality standards.
• Quality Compliance Rate: Percentage of vendors and sourced products meeting all required quality and compliance standards (e.g. 100% of critical vendors hold valid BIS certifications and meet IEC/ISO standards as required). Reduction in quality issues attributable to vendor components (e.g. lower defect rates or warranty claims).
• Delivery & Reliability: Vendor on-time delivery rate and adherence to lead times. Improvement in supply continuity (reduction in stock-outs or project delays due to vendor issues). Effective management of vendor lead times and logistics resulting in timely project execution.
• Vendor Performance Scores: Improvement in overall vendor performance ratings over time. High scores on vendor scorecards across key parameters (quality, delivery, service, responsiveness). Low rate of vendor-related escalations or emergencies.
• Strategic Partnerships: Development of long-term partnerships with key suppliers (e.g. securing preferred supplier agreements or volume-based contracts) that contribute to the organization’s strategic goals. High retention of quality vendors and successful consolidation or phase-out of low-performing suppliers to optimize the vendor base.

Location:

• The position will be based at On site, EMPBindi International Association, Tilonia- Harmada Road, Village Harmada, 305812, District Ajmer, Rajasthan, India.

Job Type: Full-time

Pay: ₹55,000.00 - ₹70,000.00 per month

Benefits:

• Health insurance
• Provident Fund

Work Location: In person