Assistant Manager – Vendor Development | Sonalika Industries | Gear & Shaft, Alloy Steel | 5–7 Years, Hoshiarpur, Punjab, India

Sonalika Industries is hiring an Assistant Manager – Vendor Development for its outsourcing development function. The role is focused on Gear & Shaft and Alloy Steel components, with responsibility for supplier identification, new product development, RFQ management, costing, and commercial evaluation.

This opportunity is suitable for B.Tech Mechanical professionals with 5–7 years of experience in vendor development, sourcing, supplier development, or automotive/agricultural equipment manufacturing.

About Sonalika Industries

Sonalika Industries operates in the agricultural equipment and manufacturing sector and works with an extensive supplier network for component sourcing and product development. The Vendor Development function plays an important role in identifying capable suppliers, developing components as per engineering requirements, and achieving competitive commercial terms.

This position offers professionals an opportunity to work closely with suppliers on new product development, technical evaluation, costing, RFQs, and commercial negotiations.

Key Responsibilities

The selected Assistant Manager – Vendor Development will be responsible for:

• Identifying and developing capable suppliers for Gear, Shaft, and Alloy Steel components.
• Searching for potential vendors based on technical capability, capacity, quality, cost, and delivery requirements.
• Sharing RFQs, engineering drawings, specifications, and technical requirements with prospective suppliers.
• Coordinating with suppliers for new product development and outsourcing projects.
• Understanding drawings and ensuring supplier development is aligned with design requirements.
• Evaluating supplier manufacturing capabilities and infrastructure.

Required Qualification

Candidates applying for this position should have:

• B.Tech / B.E. in Mechanical Engineering
• 5–7 years of relevant professional experience
• Experience in Vendor Development, Supplier Development, Sourcing, Purchase, or New Product Development will be beneficial.

Interview Questions for Assistant Manager – Vendor Development

1. How do you identify a new supplier?

I start by understanding the component’s technical requirements, material, manufacturing process, volume, quality expectations, and delivery requirements. Potential suppliers are then shortlisted based on their infrastructure, capacity, quality systems, technical capability, previous experience, and commercial competitiveness.

2. What factors do you consider while evaluating a supplier?

I consider technical capability, manufacturing infrastructure, quality performance, capacity, delivery capability, financial stability, development capability, cost competitiveness, and previous customer experience.

3. How do you evaluate a supplier quotation?

I break the quotation into major cost elements such as raw material, process cost, machining, tooling, heat treatment, labour, overheads, packaging, and logistics. I then benchmark these costs against market conditions and other supplier quotations.

4. What information should an RFQ contain?

An RFQ should clearly communicate the component drawing, specifications, material requirements, annual volume, development requirements, quality standards, delivery expectations, packaging requirements, tooling requirements, and commercial submission format.

5. How would you handle a supplier quoting a very high price?

I would first understand the supplier’s cost structure rather than negotiating only on the final price. After identifying the major cost drivers, I would explore alternatives such as process optimization, material utilization, cycle-time improvement, tooling changes, localization, or alternative sourcing.

6. What is the role of vendor development in NPD?

Vendor development ensures that suppliers are capable of developing and manufacturing the required component within the defined quality, cost, timing, and technical requirements. Early supplier involvement can also identify manufacturing feasibility issues before production starts.

7. How do you manage supplier development delays?

I would identify the exact reason for the delay, establish a recovery plan with clear milestones, assign responsibilities, and track progress regularly. For critical delays, escalation and cross-functional intervention may be required.

8. What is the difference between sourcing and vendor development?

Sourcing primarily focuses on identifying and selecting suppliers and achieving competitive commercial terms. Vendor development goes deeper into developing supplier capability, products, processes, quality, capacity, and delivery performance.

How to Apply

Interested candidates with relevant experience in Gear & Shaft, Alloy Steel, Vendor Development, Supplier Development, Sourcing, Costing, and New Product Development can share their updated CV with:

📩 Email: manvi.saini@sonalikaindustries.com

Subject: Application – Assistant Manager – Vendor Development

Candidates should highlight relevant experience in supplier identification, RFQ management, component costing, commercial negotiation, and outsourcing development in their resume.

Job Summary

Assistant Manager – Vendor Development | Sonalika Industries | Gear & Shaft & Alloy Steel | 5–7 Years | B.Tech Mechanical

Sonalika Industries is seeking an experienced professional to handle supplier development, RFQ, new product development, costing, and commercial activities for Gear & Shaft and Alloy Steel components.