Vendor Manager – Machine Components, Technical Procurement

Vendor Manager – Machine Components, Technical Procurement & Manufacturing

Location: Bangalore, India

Department: Supply Chain / Procurement

Reports To: Head of Procurement / Supply Chain Director

Job Type: Full-time

Job Summary

We are seeking a highly experienced Vendor Manager with deep technical procurement knowledge and a strong background in machine components sourcing, manufacturing, and vendor management—ideally within the aerospace and defense sectors. Based in Bangalore, this role focuses on strategic sourcing, supplier performance management, and contract negotiations to ensure supply chain resilience and technical excellence.

Key Responsibilities

Vendor Selection & Management

Identify and qualify suppliers specializing in aerospace-grade components, raw materials, and equipment.

Evaluate and audit vendors for compliance with industry standards, including AS9100, NADCAP, or defense-specific protocols.

Monitor supplier KPIs to ensure quality, lead time adherence, and risk mitigation.

Contract Negotiation

Lead commercial and technical contract negotiations with domestic and international vendors.

Secure long-term agreements that optimize cost, quality, and delivery performance, especially for aerospace/defense projects.

Technical Sourcing

Source precision mechanical parts, special alloys, forgings, castings, and CNC-machined components critical to aerospace and defense assemblies.

Work with engineering and quality teams to interpret specifications and select appropriate suppliers.

Relationship Building

Build strong supplier partnerships that support innovation, capacity expansion, and long-term value creation.

Ensure alignment on compliance, cybersecurity protocols, and traceability requirements.

Risk Management

Identify and mitigate supply chain risks related to sole-sourced aerospace components, export control, and material certification.

Develop contingency plans for critical supplier failure or geo-political disruptions.

Collaboration

Partner with R&D, Engineering, Quality Assurance, and Production Planning to define procurement strategies.

Translate technical requirements into sourcing strategies aligned with program schedules.

Required Skills & Qualifications

Technical Knowledge

Strong understanding of aerospace and defense component manufacturing processes, including tight-tolerance machining, non-destructive testing (NDT), and surface treatments.

Familiarity with aerospace material standards (e.g., AMS, MIL-STD) and quality systems (e.g., ISO 9001, AS9100).

Negotiation & Communication

Skilled negotiator with a track record of cost reduction and risk-sharing arrangements in complex technical categories.

Clear communicator capable of interfacing with multi-disciplinary internal teams and global suppliers.

Supply Chain & Procurement Expertise

Extensive experience with procurement strategies for high-precision, regulated industries.

Knowledge of ITAR, DFARS, and export compliance is preferred.

Analytical & Problem-Solving Skills

Ability to analyze supplier performance, drive corrective actions, and improve sourcing decisions using data-driven insights.

Preferred Experience & Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace Engineering, or a related technical discipline. MBA or Master's in Supply Chain Management is a plus.

5–8+ years of experience in vendor management and technical procurement with a focus on aerospace and defense manufacturing.

ERP experience in aerospace programs (e.g., SAP, Oracle, or similar).

Hands-on experience with supplier qualification, audits, and compliance tracking.

Work Environment

Based in Bangalore, with occasional travel to supplier locations across India and internationally.

Hybrid role with collaboration across engineering, operations, and quality teams.