Executive - Vendor Development

ePlane Company; Chennai District; On-site; INR 600,000 - 900,000; Full time

Job summary

ePlane Company seeks a Vendor Development Executive to help identify, evaluate, onboard, and grow suppliers for aerospace-grade components and subsystems used in UAVs and unmanned platforms.

You will strengthen the supply chain, enable strategic sourcing, BOM indigenisation, and cost optimization while ensuring compliance with aerospace quality standards.

Qualifications

• B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical, Aerospace or Production Engineering.
• 2–5 years in vendor development, supplier quality, or sourcing (aerospace/defence preferred).
• Exposure to CNC/VMC, sheet metal, composites, or aerospace assembly.
• Familiarity with PPAP, APQP and FAI documentation.
• ERP/MRP knowledge (SAP, Odoo, Oracle).
• Strong costing and analytical skills; good vendor communication.
• Willingness to travel for supplier audits.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, onboard suppliers for aerospace components and subsystems.
• Support audits, capability studies, and supplier qualification processes.
• Collect RFQs, compare quotations, and assist in cost benchmarking.
• Track OTIF and NCRs; maintain vendor dashboards and reports.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Production, and Finance.

Skills

Vendor development

Supplier quality

Sourcing

Analytical skills

Education

B.E./B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering

B.E./B.Tech in Aerospace Engineering

B.E./B.Tech in Production Engineering

Tools

SAP

Odoo

Oracle

Job description

The Vendor Development Executive will support the Manager – Vendor Development in identifying, evaluating, onboarding, and developing suppliers for aerospace-grade components and subsystems for UAVs, eVTOLs, and other unmanned platforms. The role will focus on strengthening the supply chain ecosystem, enabling Strategic Sourcing, BOM indigenisation, cost optimization, and compliance with aerospace quality standards.

Key Responsibilities

Supplier Identification & Onboarding

• Research, shortlist, and connect with potential suppliers for precision machining, structural, propulsion, electrical, avionics, and composite components.
• Conduct preliminary capability studies, facility visits, and supplier registration processes.
• Assist in NDA execution, documentation, and onboarding compliance checks.
• Support audits for technical capability, certifications, and compliance (AS9100D, ISO, NADCAP, DGCA, CEMILAC).
• Prepare supplier evaluation reports and scorecards for review by the Manager.
• Monitor initial supplier trial runs, prototypes, and First Article Inspections (FAI).

Procurement & Costing Support

• Collect RFQs from suppliers, consolidate quotations, and assist in cost comparisons.
• Support cost benchmarking studies and VA/VE initiatives.
• Prepare costing sheets and provide analysis for supplier negotiations.
• Track supplier delivery timelines, OTIF (On-Time In-Full) compliance, and NCR (Non-Conformance Report) status.
• Update and maintain vendor performance dashboards and databases.
• Assist in driving corrective actions and follow-ups with suppliers.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with Engineering, Quality, and Production teams to align supplier deliverables with project needs.
• Coordinate with Finance for PR/PO tracking and vendor payment documentation.

Documentation & Reporting

• Maintain vendor master database and all associated records (audits, certifications, scorecards).
• Prepare weekly reports on supplier status, RFQ progress, and vendor issues.
• Assist Manager in preparing MIS and Board review reports for Procurement & Vendor Development.

Requirements

Qualifications & Experience

• B.E. / B.Tech in Mechanical / Aerospace / Production Engineering.
• 2–5 years of experience invendor development, supplier quality, or sourcing(aerospace, automotive Tier-1, or defence manufacturing preferred).
• Exposure to manufacturing processes like CNC/VMC machining, sheet metal, plastic injection Molding, composites, or aerospace Assembly.
• Familiarity with PPAP, FAIR, APQP, and FAI documentation is desirable.
• Basic understanding of ERP/MRP systems (SAP, Odoo, Oracle, or similar).
• Strong technical knowledge of manufacturing processes.
• Good analytical and costing skills.
• Documentation and reporting skills (Excel, PowerPoint, Google Sheets).
• Strong interpersonal and vendor communication skills.
• Ability totravel for supplier auditsand plant visits.
• Team player with a proactive, problem-solving attitude.