Purchase Engineer / Senior Purchase Engineer

Job Description: Purchase Engineer / Senior Purchase Engineer

• Job Title: Purchase Engineer / Senior Purchase Engineer
• Department: Sourcing & Procurement / Supply Chain
• Industry Type: Pharma Machine / Capital Equipment Manufacturing
• Reporting To: Manager / Head of Purchase
• Experience Range: 2 to 6 Years
• Education Qualification: B.E. / B.Tech or Diploma in Mechanical / Production / Electrical Engineering
• Job Location: [Insert Location]

Role Overview

We are looking for a dynamic and technically sound Purchase Engineer to manage end-to-end procurement operations for our pharmaceutical machinery manufacturing unit. The ideal candidate will possess a strong techno-commercial background, excellent vendor management skills, and a deep understanding of precision engineering components. You will bridge the gap between engineering design, production schedules, and external suppliers to ensure the timely availability of high-quality material at optimal costs.

Key Responsibilities

1. Sourcing & Procurement Operations

• Handle end-to-end procurement of raw materials (SS sheets, tubes like SS304/SS316), bought-out components, precision machined parts, casting/forging components, and electrical/automation panels.
• Review engineering drawings, Bills of Materials (BOM), and technical specifications to identify precise purchasing requirements.
• Float Requests for Quotations (RFQs), conduct techno-commercial evaluations, and finalize competitive pricing and delivery terms.
• Issue, track, and manage Purchase Orders (POs) through the companys ERP system.

2. Vendor Development & Management

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard new vendors capable of meeting stringent pharmaceutical-grade quality and delivery standards.
• Conduct supplier audits, capacity assessments, and performance tracking (On-Time Delivery and quality rejection rates).
• Build and maintain robust relationships with reliable domestic and international suppliers to secure favorable credit terms and priority allocation.

3. Cost Optimization & Value Engineering

• Perform regular cost analysis, market trend evaluations, and price benchmarking for raw materials and sub-assemblies.
• Drive cost-reduction initiatives through alternate vendor sourcing, bulk negotiations, and value engineering/value analysis (VE/VA).

4. Quality Compliance & Cross-Functional Coordination

• Ensure all procured mechanical and electrical parts comply with regulatory standards required in pharma machinery (e.g., surface finish, material test certificates (MTC), cGMP guidelines).
• Coordinate closely with the Quality Control (QC/QA) department for incoming material inspection and resolve non-conformances/rejections swiftly.
• Align closely with Production, Planning, and Project Engineering teams to prevent line stoppages and meet strict project dispatch deadlines.

5. Documentation & MIS

• Maintain accurate records of vendor quotations, comparative statements, and purchase history.
• Prepare and present Management Information System (MIS) reports concerning procurement metrics, cost savings, and vendor performance.

Required Skills & Competencies

• Technical Knowledge: Strong ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, assembly blueprints, and material grades (especially Stainless Steel variants used in pharma equipment).
• Industry Acumen: Prior hands-on exposure to sourcing precision components for special purpose machines (SPMs) or pharmaceutical processing/packaging equipment.
• Negotiation & Commercial Acumen: Exceptional bargaining skills, contract management capabilities, and understanding of commercial terms (Taxes, Incoterms, payment cycles).
• Software Proficiency: Hands-on experience working with ERP systems (SAP MM, Oracle, or similar manufacturing ERPs) and advanced MS Excel.
• Soft Skills: Good interpersonal communication, proactive problem-solving mindset, and the ability to work effectively under pressure in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Certification in Supply Chain Management (SCM) or Materials Management (e.g., IIMM, APICS) is an added advantage.
• Experience dealing with sub-contractors for specialized operations like CNC/VMC machining, laser cutting, electro-polishing, and passivation.