Vendor Partner Manager

Rhino-Rack Australia Pty Limited; Sydney; On-site; AUD 150,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Rhino-Rack Australia Pty Limited in Eastern Creek NSW is seeking a strategic Sourcing Specialist to lead supplier activities for new product development, ensuring on-time delivery, budget adherence and quality targets.

You will manage Asia supplier relationships, drive cost reduction, and coach the Sourcing Specialist, with international travel and a focus on safe, high-quality procurement.

Qualifications

• 7–10 years in strategic sourcing or category management.
• Experience sourcing metal fabrication, aluminium extrusion, injection moulding, die casting, fasteners, and surface finishing.
• Proven Asian supply base management (China/Taiwan); Vietnam/Thailand exposure advantageous.
• Hands-on factory auditing, tooling ownership negotiation and supplier qualification.
• Should-cost and teardown cost modelling, tooling amortisation and raw material indexation.

Responsibilities

• Lead the sourcing strategy for new product development projects, ensuring on-time delivery within budget and quality targets.
• Build and manage strong supplier relationships across Asia, driving performance and collaboration.
• Identify, evaluate and onboard new suppliers to support innovation and growth.
• Negotiate supplier agreements, pricing structures and commercial terms.
• Drive supplier readiness throughout the product development lifecycle and resolve bottlenecks.
• Lead cost reduction and value improvement initiatives through strategic sourcing.
• Analyse drawings, specifications and quotations to support sourcing decisions.
• Ensure purchased materials meet quality, technical and commercial requirements.
• Review procurement processes and deliver continuous improvements.
• Partner with Product Development, Engineering and Operations to support launches.
• Monitor supplier performance and contribute to KPI reporting.
• Lead and develop the Sourcing Specialist; travel internationally as needed.
• Promote safe, quality-focused and environmentally responsible work practices.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Commercial judgement

Supplier relationship management

Supplier collaboration

Education

Tertiary qualification in supply chain, engineering, business or commerce

Tools

NetSuite

Advanced Excel

Job description

Rhino-Rack Australia Pty Limited - Eastern Creek NSW

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.

Part ofProduct Development, this roleleadsoursourcing& vendor relationships,responsible formanaging thedelivery of newproductson time and to cost,under the Clarus Adventure Brands

• Lead the sourcing strategy for new product development projects, ensuring products are delivered on time, within budget, and to the required quality standards.
• Build and manage strong relationships with key suppliers across Asia, driving performance, collaboration, and long-term value.
• Identify, evaluate and onboard new suppliers to support innovation, scalability and business growth.
• Negotiate supplier agreements, pricing structures and commercial terms to achieve cost, quality and delivery objectives.
• Drive supplier readiness throughout the product development lifecycle, proactively identifying risks and resolving bottlenecks.
• Lead cost reduction and value improvement initiatives through strategic sourcing, supplier collaboration and market analysis.
• Analyse technical drawings, specifications and supplier quotations to support sourcing decisions and product targets.
• Ensure purchased materials, components and services meet quality, technical and commercial requirements.
• Review and enhance procurement processes, delivering continuous improvements across sourcing and supplier management activities.
• Partner closely with Product Development, Engineering, Operations and other stakeholders to support business objectives and successful product launches.
• Monitor supplier performance, contribute to KPI reporting and support continuous improvement initiatives across the supply base.
• Lead and develop the Sourcing Specialist, providing guidance, coaching and support to achieve team objectives.
• Travel internationally to visit suppliers, conduct reviews and strengthen strategic partnerships.
• Promote safe, quality-focused and environmentally responsible work practices in line with company policies and procedures.

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 in strategic sourcing or category management, with genuine category ownership (not transactional purchasing)
• Direct experience sourcing metal fabrication, aluminium extrusion, injection moulding, die casting, fasteners and surfacefinishing
• Proven Asian supply base management - China and Taiwan essential; Vietnam or Thailand exposure advantageous.Hands-onfactory auditing, tooling ownership negotiation and supplier qualification, not agent-managed relationships
• Should-cost and teardown cost modelling capability, including tooling amortisation and raw material indexation (e.g. aluminium/LME) and structuring price adjustmentmechanisms
• Total landed cost fluency: Incoterms, freight, duty, FTA rules of origin (ChAFTA, AANZFTA) and FX exposure management
• Tertiary qualification in supply chain, engineering,businessor commerce
• Advanced Excel and ERP experience (NetSuite or comparable)