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Vendor Development Executive job description

A Vendor Development Executive keeps supplier onboarding and development running by handling the coordination and documents behind it. They collect vendor papers, schedule sampling and inspection, follow up onboarding steps and keep vendor records complete. The role reports to the Vendor Development Manager. A good vendor development executive gets new suppliers onboarded quickly and correctly, keeps documents and approvals in order, chases the follow up that stalls without them, and takes the paperwork off the engineers so they can focus on the technical qualification.

DetailFor this role
DepartmentProcurement and Purchase
LevelEntry level
Reports toVendor Development Manager
Direct reportsNone
Experience1 to 3 years in vendor development or purchase support

Vendor Development Executive job description template

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Job title: Vendor Development Executive

Department: Procurement and Purchase

Reports to: Vendor Development Manager

Location: [City], [office, branch or site]

About the role

A Vendor Development Executive keeps supplier onboarding and development running by handling the coordination and documents behind it. They collect vendor papers, schedule sampling and inspection, follow up onboarding steps and keep vendor records complete. The role reports to the Vendor Development Manager. A good vendor development executive gets new suppliers onboarded quickly and correctly, keeps documents and approvals in order, chases the follow up that stalls without them, and takes the paperwork off the engineers so they can focus on the technical qualification.

Key responsibilities

  • Collect and verify vendor documents such as registration, GST, bank and quality certificates before onboarding.
  • Coordinate sampling, first article and inspection schedules between the vendor, engineer and quality team.
  • Track each new vendor through the onboarding steps and follow up the pending actions.
  • Set up and update vendor records with capability, capacity and approval status in the system.
  • Follow up suppliers for samples, revised offers and missing information on new parts.
  • Prepare comparison and status sheets for the vendor development manager to review.
  • Arrange supplier audit visits and collate audit findings and corrective actions.
  • Support localisation projects with the document collection and coordination work they need.
  • Maintain trackers for onboarding status, samples and open corrective actions.
  • Escalate stuck onboarding cases and repeated delays to the manager.

Requirements

  • Diploma or graduate in engineering or commerce
  • Basic knowledge of vendor documents and GST
  • A supply chain course is an advantage
  • 1 to 3 years in vendor development or purchase support

KRAs and KPIs for a Vendor Development Executive

Key result areas for the appraisal form, each with a KPI you can measure every month or quarter.

Key result areaHow to measure it
Onboarding turnaroundNew vendors onboarded within the agreed time from document receipt
Document completenessVendor files complete and verified above the agreed level
Sampling follow upSampling and inspection schedules met without slippage above target
Record accuracyVendor records kept current and correct above the agreed level
Audit supportAudit findings and actions collated within the target time
EscalationStuck onboarding cases raised before they cross the agreed age

Skills and tools

Vendor onboarding coordinationDocument verificationSchedule coordinationRecord upkeepFollow upMS ExcelSAP or ERP useAttention to detailOrganisationCommunication

Tools used day to day: SAP MM, MS Excel, Document management systems, Email, Supplier portals.

Reporting line and career path

Vendor DevelopmentManagerVendor DevelopmentExecutive

Interview questions for a Vendor Development Executive

  1. How do you keep a new vendor onboarding on track through many steps?
  2. What documents do you check before a vendor is onboarded?
  3. How do you coordinate a sampling schedule between the vendor and the engineer?
  4. How do you keep vendor records accurate as details change?
  5. A vendor keeps delaying its samples. How do you handle it?
  6. How do you prepare a clear onboarding status sheet for your manager?

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Frequently asked questions

What does a Vendor Development Executive do?

A Vendor Development Executive handles the coordination and documents behind supplier onboarding and development. They collect and verify vendor papers, schedule sampling and inspection, track onboarding steps and keep vendor records complete. They chase the follow up that stalls new suppliers and support the engineers on the paperwork.

What is the difference between a Vendor Development Executive and Engineer?

A Vendor Development Engineer does the technical qualification: process capability, PPAP, inspection and problem solving at the supplier. A Vendor Development Executive handles onboarding coordination and documents. The executive keeps the process and records moving; the engineer proves the supplier can make the part.

How do you become a Vendor Development Executive?

Most start with a diploma or graduate degree in engineering or commerce and often begin in purchase or sourcing support. A basic grasp of vendor documents and GST helps. Employers value coordination, follow up and record keeping, and it can lead to a vendor development engineer or manager path.