The Buyer is responsible for managing material sourcing, procurement execution, and supplier coordination to support production and customer requirements in an EMS environment.
This role ensures material availability, cost competitiveness, and supply continuity, while working closely with cross-functional teams to meet customer delivery commitments.
1. BOM & Customer Requirement Management
- Review customer BOM and ensure compliance with Approved Vendor List (AVL)
- Validate part numbers, specifications, and sourcing feasibility
- Support RFQ activities including cost roll-up and lead time analysis
- Manage BOM updates driven by ECO / PCN changes
2. Sourcing & RFQ Management
Source electronic and mechanical components from:
- OEM manufacturers
- Authorized distributors
- Approved brokers (if necessary)
- Perform RFQ comparisons (price, MOQ, lead time, stock availability)
- Identify alternate components with engineering approval
3. Purchasing Execution
- Generate and manage Purchase Orders (POs) in ERP system
- Track order confirmations, delivery dates, and shipment status
- Expedite materials to support production schedules
- Ensure timely delivery to meet customer build plans
4. Shortage & Allocation Management
- Monitor daily material shortages and risk exposure
- Drive recovery plans:
- Expedite shipments
- Source alternates
- Engage brokers for spot buys
- Escalate critical supply issues impacting production
5. Supplier & Distributor Management
- Manage relationships with global suppliers and distributors
- Monitor supplier performance (OTD, responsiveness)
- Negotiate pricing, lead time, and supply commitments
- Support strategic initiatives such as VMI / consignment programs
6. Cost & Margin Management
- Achieve cost targets and support PPV (Purchase Price Variance) improvement
- Identify cost reduction opportunities:
- Alternate sourcing
- Volume leverage
- Value engineering (VA/VE)
- Support competitive pricing for customer RFQs
7. Inventory & Liability Control
- Manage inventory levels to balance supply and demand
- Monitor excess & obsolete (E&O) and customer liability stock
- Align procurement activities with forecast and production plan
8. NPI (New Product Introduction) Support
- Support sourcing activities for new product builds
- Assess:
- Component lead times
- Lifecycle status (EOL / NRND)
- Engage suppliers early for cost and supply strategy
- Collaborate with engineering on alternate and DFM solutions
9. Quality & Compliance
- Ensure sourcing from authorized suppliers to mitigate counterfeit risk
- Ensure compliance with:
- RoHS / REACH
- Conflict minerals
- Customer-specific requirements
Requirements:
- Diploma / Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
- Fresh graduates are welcome to apply.
- Interest in procurement of fabrication and mechanical parts is preferred.
- Experience in EMS or contract manufacturing is an advantage.
Skillset(s) Requirement:
- Ability to read Engineering drawings (2D/3D) and GD&T basics (tolerance understanding)
- Knowledge of fabrication processes like CNC machining, sheet metal, injection moulding
- Familiar with ERP systems
- Knowledge of surface finishing (anodizing, plating, powder coating)
- Experience sourcing in China / SEA supplier base
Attributes:
- Team player.
- Willing to undertake new tasks.
- Eager to change for the better.
- Think out of the box to improve processes.
- Able to build and maintain effective and productive relationships with staff, stakeholders and suppliers.
- Good communication, negotiation, interpersonal and influencing skills.
- Able to manage time effectively, priorities tasks and achieve set targets.
- Commercial and financial awareness with a full understanding of how failure impacts the production, manufacture and customer order fulfilment.
- Able to work well under pressure and handle emergency and stressful situations.