Lead Vendor Sourcing

Lead Vendor Sourcing

Role Overview

We are looking for an experienced Lead Vendor Sourcing professional to manage strategic sourcing, supplier development, supplier qualification, and procurement of critical raw materials, chemicals, additives, minerals, and process consumables for advanced materials and battery-related manufacturing applications.

The role will be responsible for identifying reliable suppliers, conducting techno-commercial evaluations, negotiating commercial terms, optimizing procurement costs, developing alternate/local suppliers, and ensuring uninterrupted supply of quality materials.

The position will work closely with R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Supply Chain teams to support new product development, scale-up, and commercial manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead strategic sourcing and procurement of critical raw materials, chemicals, minerals, additives, and process consumables.
• Identify, evaluate, develop, and qualify new suppliers based on technical and commercial requirements.
• Conduct techno-commercial evaluation of suppliers, including quality, technical capability, capacity, pricing, lead time, logistics, and commercial terms.
• Lead price negotiations, contract discussions, and cost optimization initiatives.
• Develop alternate and local suppliers to reduce supply risks and dependency on single sources.
• Manage global sourcing and import procurement activities where required, including coordination around international suppliers and commercial terms.
• Work with R&D, Quality, and Manufacturing teams for supplier qualification and technical evaluation.
• Review supplier performance related to quality, cost, delivery, capacity, and responsiveness.
• Conduct supplier development activities, audits, and improvement initiatives.
• Analyze commodity markets, raw-material pricing, and supply-market trends to support sourcing decisions.
• Support should-cost analysis, cost modelling, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Ensure procurement plans support uninterrupted production and adequate supply security.
• Identify and mitigate supplier, price, quality, capacity, and supply-chain risks.
• Support new product development, pilot-scale activities, scale-up, and commercial manufacturing requirements.
• Manage supplier relationships and develop long-term strategic partnerships.
• Coordinate with internal stakeholders including Procurement, R&D, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and other relevant functions.
• Maintain procurement and supplier-related data and processes through ERP/SAP or other procurement systems.
• Ensure compliance with applicable procurement processes, quality requirements, commercial terms, and supply-chain policies.