Purchasing Assistant

Job Description: Purchase Executive - Manufacturing & Machining

Position Overview

We are looking for a detail-oriented Purchase Executive with strong technical grounding in machining and manufacturing processes to manage sourcing, vendor development, and procurement of components/materials. The role requires the ability to read engineering drawings, evaluate suppliers technically, and ensure incoming parts meet quality and specification requirements.

Key Responsibilities

Sourcing & Vendor Management

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new vendors/suppliers for machined components, raw materials, and manufacturing consumables
• Conduct vendor verification through plant audits, capability assessment, and documentation checks (GST, quality certifications, compliance records)
• Build and maintain a reliable vendor database segmented by process capability (turning, milling, casting, fabrication, sheet metal, etc.)
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and delivery schedules with suppliers
• Develop alternate/backup vendors to reduce supply risk

Technical Evaluation

• Read and interpret engineering drawings (GD&T, tolerances, material specs) to communicate requirements clearly to vendors
• Understand core machining processes (turning, milling, drilling, grinding, CNC operations) and general manufacturing processes (casting, forging, sheet metal, welding, injection molding as applicable)
• Assess vendor capability against part complexity, tooling availability, and production capacity

Inspection & Quality

• Use measuring equipment (Vernier caliper, micrometer, height gauge, dial gauge, go/no-go gauges, surface plate) to verify incoming components against drawings
• Conduct or coordinate incoming quality inspection (IQC) and liaise with QA/QC team on rejections, deviations, and corrective actions
• Track vendor quality performance (rejection rate, PPM, on-time delivery)

Procurement Operations

• Raise and process purchase orders (POs) based on production/BOM requirements
• Coordinate with production, planning, and stores teams to align procurement with demand
• Monitor order status, expedite critical deliveries, and resolve supply escalations
• Maintain procurement records, cost trackers, and vendor scorecards

Required Skills & Knowledge

• Working knowledge of machining and manufacturing processes
• Ability to read and interpret technical/engineering drawings
• Hands-on experience with measuring and inspection equipment
• Proven experience in vendor identification, verification, and management
• Strong negotiation and commercial acumen
• Good communication and follow-up skills for supplier coordination

Qualifications

• Diploma / B.E. / B.Tech in Mechanical, Production, or Industrial Engineering (preferred)
• 2–5 years of experience in purchase/procurement within a manufacturing environment
• Prior experience in furniture, metal fabrication, or ergonomic product manufacturing is a plus

Key Attributes

• Detail-oriented with strong ownership of vendor relationships
• Comfortable with shop-floor/vendor-site visits
• Proficient in MS Excel/ERP systems for purchase tracking