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.