Supply Chain & Vendor Relations Manager Job at Worcester WR FP Full Time NEW

Why Southco?With over 70 years of engineering excellence and more than 3,000 employees across 20 countries, Southco is a global leader in engineered access solutions — products that you and thousands of others interact with every day. Our locks, latches, fasteners, hinges and handles serve virtually every industry worldwide.The opportunityWe’re looking for a Project Buyer to join our New Product Development (NPD) team at our Worcester, UK site — the critical link between front-end product design and back-end operations. Working within a cross-functional team alongside Quality Engineers, Manufacturing Engineers and NPD specialists, you’ll lead procurement activity from earliest concept through prototyping and into full volume production.This is a role for someone who has done it before — ideally within a first-tier or second-tier automotive supply chain — and who understands the discipline, pace and quality expectations that environment demands.What you’ll doEngage with NPD and Project Management teams from the early design stage to provide reliable budget and firm cost and delivery proposals from approved supply chain sources.Manage RFQ packages end-to-end, targeting an initial budget proposal within 24 hours and a firm proposal within three working days.Lead supplier identification, selection and qualification for new projects, evaluating vendors against technical, commercial and quality criteria.Negotiate pricing, tooling costs, lead times and payment terms to achieve project cost targets and build long-term supplier partnerships.Manage all procurement through prototyping, tooling, capital assets and external testing — raising purchase orders and tracking milestones throughout.Lead the transition from prototype approval into initial and volume production, then prepare and deliver a formal handover to the facility Production Buyer at PPAP sign-off.What we’re looking forA minimum of 2 years’ experience in procurement or supply chain within a manufacturing environment — experience in the automotive industry is essential, with a clear understanding of first-tier customer requirements including APQP, PPAP and FAI processes.Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, tolerances and materials specifications, with familiarity across processes such as stamping, plastic injection moulding and die-casting.A proven track record of gaining supplier commitment against demanding cost, quality and delivery requirements during new product introduction.Excellent communicator who can operate confidently across engineering, quality and commercial functions in a fast-moving NPD environment.A degree in engineering, supply chain or a related discipline is preferred.Why join us?Southco employees enjoy an excellent work/life balance, globally competitive compensation, and connections with colleagues from around the world who share the same vision and passion. Being part of the Southco family means being part of a success story that spans almost a century — one still being written by people just like you.At Southco, our employees are at the heart of what we do. We’re a family and strive to maintain our culture.