Senior Procurement Executive (QC08342)

Experience Level: 4+ Years
Location: Bengaluru
Department: Supply Chain / Procurement
Reporting To: Manager-Manufacturing

About AEREO

AEREO is India’s leading innovator in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) for mapping, surveying, and enterprise-grade aerial intelligence solutions. Our teams blend engineering excellence with operational precision to build next-generation drone technologies that power mining & Infrastructure sectors. Join us to shape the future of autonomous systems and high-performance manufacturing.

Job Summary

As a Senior Procurement Executive, you will be responsible for driving strategic procurement initiatives, managing supplier relationships, and ensuring cost-effective and timely sourcing of materials and components essential for the manufacturing and R&D of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
You will play a critical role in building a robust supply base, optimizing procurement processes, and ensuring alignment between business goals, operational excellence, and compliance standards at AEREO.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Procurement & Planning

Develop and execute strategic procurement plans aligned with business goals and project requirements.

Identify and implement innovative, cost-effective sourcing strategies considering evolving industry trends and risks.

Continuously monitor market dynamics to anticipate supply risks and develop mitigation strategies.

Vendor Management

Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers for raw materials, mechanical/electrical/electronic components, and specialized items for UAS production.

Build and maintain long-term supplier relationships based on quality, reliability, and innovation.

Conduct periodic performance reviews of suppliers based on quality, delivery, and cost metrics.

Contract & Compliance Management

Lead commercial negotiations and finalize contracts, ensuring favorable terms and adherence to company policies.

Review and negotiate Master Service Agreements (MSAs), Service Level Agreements (SLAs), and related documentation.

Ensure compliance with statutory regulations, ethical sourcing standards, and organizational procurement policies.

Operational Excellence

Manage procurement budgets, control costs, and identify opportunities for continuous improvement.

Review purchase orders for accuracy, policy compliance, and timely approvals.

Coordinate with Finance, Engineering, and Operations for procurement alignment with project timelines and cash-flow plans.

Support audits, track KPIs, and generate data-driven insights to enhance procurement performance and transparency.

Inventory & Risk Management

Monitor inventory levels, lead times, and stock replenishment to avoid shortages and minimize holding costs.

Assess and mitigate procurement-related risks through diversified sourcing and supplier qualification.

Contribute to establishing digital procurement and ERP-driven workflows (SAP/Zoho/MS Office-based systems).

Desired Skills & Qualifications

Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Business Administration, or Supply Chain Management.
Master’s degree desired.

Experience: Minimum 4 years of progressive experience in procurement or supply chain roles, ideally from UAV Manufacturing, Automotive, Aerospace, or Electronics industries.

Technical Skills:

Proficiency in ERP platforms (SAP preferred) or Zoho, procurement software, and advanced Excel/reporting tools.

Understanding of cost structures, cost ownership, and supplier evaluation metrics.

Soft Skills:

Excellent negotiation, analytical, and communication skills.

Strong stakeholder management and cross-functional collaboration ability.

Leadership mindset with proactive problem-solving and decision-making capability.

Additional Desirable Skills (Preferred but Not Mandatory)

Working knowledge of components and materials used in Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS) manufacturing.

Experience in storekeeping practices and inventory optimization.

Ability to manage multiple procurement projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.