Role Overview
The Procurement Associate will support end-to-end sourcing, vendor coordination, and procurement operations for NK Securities’ trading-critical infrastructure and business needs. This role works closely with Infrastructure, Network Engineering, Quant, Finance, and Legal teams to ensure timely procurement, vendor responsiveness, and operational efficiency in a fast-paced, low-latency trading environment.
Key Responsibilities
1. Sourcing Execution & Vendor Coordination
- Support sourcing across categories including:
- IT hardware (servers, networking equipment)
- Colocation, telecom, cloud/SaaS
- Market data and professional services
- Assist in running RFQs/RFPs, collecting vendor quotes, and preparing comparison sheets
- Coordinate with vendors on pricing, timelines, and deliverables
- Maintain and update vendor database and documentation
2. Trading Infrastructure Procurement Support
- Work with Infrastructure & Network teams to:
- Procure servers, switches, NICs, and related hardware
- Track order status, delivery timelines, and deployment readiness
- Ensure accuracy of technical specifications in POs and vendor communication
- Follow up with vendors to minimize delays in trading-critical equipment
3. Procurement Operations & Compliance
- Raise purchase orders (POs), track approvals, and ensure proper documentation
- Support contract documentation including NDAs, MSAs, and basic commercial terms
- Ensure adherence to procurement SOPs, internal controls, and audit requirements
- Maintain records for all procurement transactions and contracts
4. Cost Tracking & Reporting
- Assist in tracking spend across categories (CAPEX/OPEX)
- Support preparation of cost comparison sheets and savings analysis
- Identify basic cost optimization opportunities through vendor benchmarking
5. Logistics & Inventory Coordination
- Track shipments, deliveries, and coordinate with logistics/customs (as required)
- Support inventory tracking, asset tagging, and spares management
- Ensure availability of critical components with minimal downtime risk
6. Vendor Management Support
- Act as a day-to-day point of contact for vendors for operational queries
- Track vendor performance on delivery timelines and responsiveness
- Support vendor onboarding and documentation processes
7. Cross-Functional Collaboration
- Work closely with:
- Engineering teams for requirements and timelines
- Finance for payments and budgeting
- Legal for documentation and compliance
- Ensure smooth coordination between internal stakeholders and vendors
Candidate Profile
Experience
- 1–5 years of experience in Procurement / Sourcing / Supply Chain
- Exposure to IT procurement or technology-driven environments preferred
- Experience in startups, fintech, SaaS, telecom, or infra-heavy setups is a plus
Skills & Competencies
- Strong coordination and stakeholder management skills
- Basic understanding of procurement processes (RFQ, PO, vendor management)
- Ability to work with technical teams and understand requirements (training will be provided)
- Good analytical skills for price comparisons and tracking
- High ownership, responsiveness, and attention to detail
- Comfortable working in a fast-paced, execution-driven environment
Education
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Commerce, Supply Chain, or related field
