Vendor Partner Manager

Rhino-Rack; Sydney; On-site; AUD 140,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhino-Rack is seeking a Strategic Sourcing Manager to lead the sourcing function within Product Development and shape our global supplier strategy for Clarus Adventure Brands. You will manage RFQs, negotiate with suppliers, and drive cost, quality and lead-time improvements across local and international markets.

Ideal candidates bring 7–10 years in strategic sourcing, strong collaboration with product and engineering teams, and advanced Excel/ERP experience to support new product development

Qualifications

• 7–10 years’ experience in strategic sourcing or category management
• Experience sourcing technical components and materials
• Offshore supplier management, particularly across China and Taiwan
• Cost modelling, landed cost awareness and supplier negotiations
• Collaboration with product development, engineering, procurement, and external suppliers
• Experience with RFQs, tenders, supplier quotes and contract management
• Advanced ERP/Excel skills and ERP familiarity (NetSuite)
• Bachelor-level qualification in supply chain, engineering, business or related
• Strong stakeholder management across technical and commercial teams
• Continuous improvement mindset focused on cost, quality, lead times and supplier performance

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute strategic sourcing plans for new product development to secure the right suppliers and materials
• Drive supplier selection, cost modelling, negotiations and supplier performance management
• Manage complex component categories and build partnerships across local and international markets
• Identify opportunities to improve cost, quality, lead times and overall supply chain efficiency
• Support supplier readiness for new projects and resolve sourcing challenges
• Oversee RFQs, tenders and supplier quote reviews ensuring alignment with requirements
• Contribute to continuous improvement across sourcing and procurement processes
• Collaborate with product and engineering teams to support reliable, ethical, high-performing supplier network

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Supplier relationship management

Cost modelling

Negotiation

RFQ management

Stakeholder management

Process improvement

ERP systems knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in supply chain / engineering / business

Tools

NetSuite ERP

Advanced Excel

Job description

At Rhino-Rack, we are more than just a leading manufacturer of roof racks, bike carriers, and vehicle accessories—we are a community driven by core values that put people first. We believe in customer centricity, innovation, and continuous growth. Here, you will thrive in a dynamic, fast-paced environment where your skills and ideas are not just welcomed but celebrated. Join us and be part of a team where your contributions truly make a difference, and where collaboration and quality are at the heart of everything we do.

Job Description

As our Strategic Sourcing Manager, you will lead the sourcing function within Product Development and play a key role in shaping our global supplier strategy across the Clarus Adventure Brands portfolio.

• Develop and execute strategic sourcing plans for new product development, ensuring the right suppliers, materials and components are in place to support quality, cost, innovation and speed to market.
• Work closely with Product Development, Engineering, Procurement and external suppliers to drive competitive sourcing activity, supplier selection, cost modelling, negotiations and supplier performance management.
• Manage complex component categories and build strong supplier partnerships across both local and international markets.
• Identify opportunities to improve cost, quality, lead times and overall supply chain efficiency.
• Support supplier and part readiness for new projects, resolving sourcing challenges and ensuring key milestones are met.
• Manage RFQs, tenders and supplier quote reviews, ensuring commercial outcomes align with business and product requirements.
• Contribute to continuous improvement across sourcing and procurement processes.
• Work closely with product and engineering teams to support reliable, ethical and high-performing supplier network.

Desired Skills and Experience

To be successful in this role, you’ll bring strong strategic sourcing experience, commercial judgement and the ability to build trusted supplier partnerships across local and international markets.

• 7–10 years’ experience in strategic sourcing, category management or a similar role, with genuine ownership of sourcing strategies and supplier relationships.
• Experience sourcing technical components and materials, ideally across categories such as metal fabrication, aluminium extrusion, injection moulding, die casting, fasteners or surface finishing.
• Proven experience managing offshore suppliers, particularly across China and Taiwan, including supplier qualification, factory audits and tooling negotiations.
• Strong commercial capability, including cost modelling, should-cost analysis, landed cost awareness and supplier negotiation.
• Ability to work closely with Product Development, Engineering, Procurement and external suppliers to support new product development and supplier readiness.
• Strong understanding of RFQs, tenders, supplier quote reviews, pricing mechanisms and contract/vendor agreement management.
• Advanced Excel skills and experience using ERP systems, ideally NetSuite or a comparable platform.
• A tertiary qualification in supply chain, engineering, business, commerce or a related discipline.
• Strong stakeholder management skills, with the ability to influence, collaborate and communicate effectively across technical and commercial teams.
• A continuous improvement mindset, with a focus on improving cost, quality, lead times and supplier performance.