Junior Sourcing Manager

What You'll Do:

Drive Vendor Sourcing & Selection

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard reliable manufacturing vendors across CNC machining, sheet metal, 3D printing, castings, forgings, and injection moulding tooling.

• Assess vendor capabilities against technical specifications, quality standards, material requirements, production volumes, and delivery timelines.

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with external suppliers and job shops.

• Support supplier selection by comparing technical capabilities, quotations, pricing, and lead times.

Manage RFQs & Supplier Negotiations

• Prepare and distribute Requests for Quotations (RFQs) to external manufacturing suppliers.

• Review and compare supplier quotations based on technical and commercial requirements.

• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, and lead times to achieve customer target prices and cost-reduction objectives.

• Coordinate with suppliers to resolve quotation queries and clarify manufacturing requirements.

• Prepare price break-ups where required to support sourcing and commercial decisions.

Translate Engineering Requirements into Manufacturing Specifications

• Read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, GD&T requirements, technical specifications, and 3D CAD models.

• Communicate manufacturing requirements accurately to external vendors.

• Apply knowledge of CNC machining and manufacturing processes to assess supplier feasibility.

• Work with suppliers to clarify technical requirements and address manufacturing-related questions.

Track Orders & Ensure On-Time Delivery

• Monitor vendor production schedules and order progress to ensure committed delivery timelines are met.

• Proactively identify and resolve production bottlenecks, material delays, and supplier capacity constraints.

• Follow up with suppliers to maintain delivery commitments and address potential delays.

• Coordinate with internal stakeholders and vendors to resolve order-related issues.

Support Quality Assurance & Supplier Performance

• Coordinate with the internal Quality Control team and suppliers to resolve defects, non-conformances, and deviations from engineering drawings.

• Support investigations into quality issues and follow up on corrective actions.

• Monitor supplier performance against on-time delivery and quality rejection metrics.

• Help ensure outsourced components meet agreed technical specifications and quality requirements.

Drive Market Analysis & Cost Optimisation

• Conduct market research to understand raw material prices, tooling costs, shipping costs, machining cycle times, and industry benchmarks.

• Develop should-cost estimates to assess the competitiveness of supplier quotations.

• Analyse manufacturing cost drivers to identify potential savings.

• Apply knowledge of manufacturing processes to support effective sourcing and costing decisions.

• Identify opportunities to improve machining cycle times through effective fixture and tooling methods.

Maintain Sourcing Data & Supplier Records

• Maintain accurate supplier performance metrics, purchase orders, pricing databases, and sourcing documentation in the ERP system.

• Ensure vendor information and commercial records are up to date.

• Track supplier pricing, delivery performance, and quality trends to support sourcing decisions.

• Maintain organised and accurate records to support procurement activities.

What It Takes:

Technical

• Bachelor's degree or Diploma in Mechanical Engineering.

• 4–8 years of experience in CNC machining production, manufacturing estimation, or technical sourcing/procurement.

• Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, technical specifications, and GD&T requirements.

• Foundational understanding of CNC manufacturing processes, including 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis milling, turning, and lathe operations.

• Knowledge of sheet metal, 3D printing, castings, forgings, injection moulding tooling, and materials such as aluminium, steel, plastics, and alloys.

• Good understanding of manufacturing processes, including turning, milling, EDM, surface treatment, and heat treatment.

• CNC programming skills and an understanding of machining processes.

• Experience with CAD/CAM software such as SolidWorks, AutoCAD, Mastercam, or Delcam.

• Ability to analyse supplier quotations and prepare manufacturing price break-ups where required.

• Understanding of machining cycle times and opportunities for improvement through effective fixture and tooling methods.

Leadership & Collaboration

• Basic negotiation skills, with the ability to coordinate with suppliers and work towards customer target prices and lead times.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills to build effective, long-term vendor relationships.

• Ability to evaluate supplier quotations and compare technical and commercial proposals.

• Strong vendor coordination and follow-up skills to support timely deliveries.

• Ability to work collaboratively with Engineering, Quality Control, Production, and Procurement teams.

• Strong attention to detail and problem-solving skills.

Mindset

• Proactive and resourceful, with a strong sense of ownership for sourcing activities and supplier follow-ups.

• Technically curious, with an interest in manufacturing processes and continuous learning.

• Cost-conscious, with an understanding of material prices, tooling costs, and market trends.

• Detail-oriented when working with engineering drawings, quotations, specifications, and supplier records.

• Practical and solution-focused when addressing quality, production, and delivery challenges.

• Adaptable and willing to develop expertise across different manufacturing technologies and sourcing categories.

• Committed to continuous improvement in cost, quality, lead time, and manufacturing efficiency.