Strategic Sourcing Specialist/ Junior

Pune, India

Position overview

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist team works closely with supply partners to keep Optimas International competitive in a changing market.

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist is responsible for supporting global sourcing activities by identifying and evaluatingsuppliers to ensure continuity of supply, cost competitiveness, and service excellence.The role involves RFQ management, supplier communication, market research, data analysis, and cross-functional coordination to support business objectives and customer requirements.

This role plays a key part in driving sourcing efficiency through effective management of unit pricing, minimum order quantities (MOQ), lead times and supplier performance to support total cost of acquisition and operational efficiency. If you're an experienced sourcing professional looking to contribute within a fast paced, collaborative environment with strong opportunities for professional growth and impact, Optimas is the place to advance your career.

The Strategic Sourcing Specialist will report onto the Strategic Sourcing Team leader.

Main responsibilities:

Identify, evaluate and develop a pool of qualified suppliers based on project and category requirements.
Prepare and issue RFQ packages while managing sourcing events through completion.
Maintain sourcing databases, pricing records, and supplier documentation, building commercial and technical insights to support sourcing and resourcing decisions.
Track sourcing progress and provide regular status updates.
Resolve supplier-related and market pricing issues through proactive supplier engagement and internal coordination.
Manage minimum order quantities (MOQ), lead times, and inventory considerations to support operational efficiency and free cash flow objectives.
Work closely with cross functional teams to help identify, evaluate, and deliver cost reduction opportunities that add value to the business and customers.
Contribute to the execution and continuous improvement of sourcing strategies using market pricing trends, supplier intelligence and commercial analysis.
Build collaborative and professional relationships with supply partners and internal customer-facing teams.
Coordinate with Optimas support teams to ensure clear communication and effective delivery of sourcing activities.
Prepare resource packs for resource partsfor the local transition team.

Key Competencies:

Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
Results & data driven mindset with focus on delivering commercial value.
An openness to change, with the ability to adapt in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
Effective communication and influencing skills across cross functional teams.
Proactive problem-solving approach with strong ownership and accountability.
Independent thinking with attention to detail.
Strong team player with ability to contribute positively to shared goals and outcomes.

Skills and Qualifications

To be successful in this role, you will bring:

Bachelor's degree in supply chain, engineering, operations, business or a related field preferred.
3+ years of experience in sourcing, procurement or supply chainpreferred.
Ability to read and interpret technical drawings is required.
Fluency in English, with strong verbal and written communication skills; additional foreign language skills is a plus.
Strong commercial mindset with stakeholder management and negotiation skills.
An understanding of the RFQ process is essential.
Fastener product knowledge is a strong advantage.
High energy, self-motivated professional with strong resilience and a sense of urgency.
The ability to work effectively under pressure while maintaining accuracy and professionalism.
Proficiency in Excel and ERP systems.

Soft skills and mindset:

Curiosity & business acumen: You seek to deeply understand business needs, market dynamics, and supplier landscapes.
Operational excellence: You are hands-on, detail-oriented, and thrive in executing end-to-end sourcing projects.
Autonomy & ownership: You take initiative, manage your priorities independently, and drive projects to completion.
Impact-oriented: You focus on tangible results and business value, not just process compliance.
Communication & influence: You build strong relationships, negotiate effectively, and communicate clearly.
Adaptability: You are comfortable with diverse tasks, evolving priorities, and a fast-growing environment
Integrity: Ethical conduct and transparency are non-negotiable in all interactions.

1