Senior Procurement Specialist - New Product Introduction, Electronics and Hardware

Advanced Navigation is the world’s most determined innovator in AI robotics and navigation technologies across land, air, sea and space applications. Founded on a culture of research and discovery, Advanced Navigation's mission is to be the catalyst of the autonomy revolution. Fields of expertise include artificial intelligence, underwater sonar, GNSS, radio frequency systems, inertial sensors, robotics, quantum sensors and photonics. 

Today, Advanced Navigation is a supplier to some of the world's largest companies, including Airbus, Boeing, Google, Tesla, NASA, Apple, and General Motors. Discover it for yourself: https://youtu.be/F7uAqs1gtuk

Position overview

The New Product Introduction (NPI) Procurement Specialist (Optics experience preferred) who is a Subject Matter Expert (SME) to be the critical bridge between the R&D/Design phase and Production Manufacturing. This is an important and highly technical and cross-functional role responsible for driving the successful transition of complex low volume, high model mix AdNav products into scalable production on time, within cost targets, and meeting stringent technical and quality standards. The NPI Procurement Specialist will own the execution of the NPI process, ensuring technical readiness across all Engineering, Manufacturing & Supply Chain disciplines, across operational functions. The role will report directly to the Procurement & Logistics Manager. 

What you will do

NPI Program Management & Program Transition

Process Ownership: Own and manage the execution of the NPI Phase Gate process, following the Process Realisation Process (PRP) ensuring all technical and commercial milestones are achieved before product launch.

Cross-Functional Coordination: Lead and coordinate technical activities, BOM generation between Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, and Supply Chain teams to ensure seamless New Product Introduction across all key commodities including but not limited to Mechanical, Electronics, Electrical, Optical & Fibre, Fasteners & Packaging.

Documentation Release: Working with Production Engineering Team to track the integrity and release of all product documentation, including final Bill of Materials (BOMs), assembly instructions, 2D/CAD schematics, datapacks and mechanical drawings, within the PLM/ERP systems.

Timeline Accountability: Develop and maintain detailed NPI project schedules, proactively identifying and mitigating risks that could impact time-to-market.

Best Value Sourcing: Lead complex sourcing activities globally to identify, evaluate, and qualify new suppliers to manage NDA’s, COO compliance, Supplier agreements, Tooling ownership contracts, and other commercial agreements with focus on who delivers the best Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), not just the lowest unit price.

Design & R&D Influence: Act as the Subject Matter Expert (SME) expert for Design and R&D teams, driving Early Supplier Involvement (ESI) and value engineering to optimize material selection, specifications, and costs before design finalisation.

Contract Negotiation: Lead high-stakes negotiation of pricing, payment terms, and supply agreements to mitigate risk and secure advantageous commercial terms for the business.High level understanding of financial systems concepts, principles and processes.

Supplier Risk Management: Proactively identify, assess, and mitigate supply chain risks related to single sourcing, geopolitical instability, and component obsolescence.

Operational Excellence & Inventory Governance

Supply Continuity: Ensure uninterrupted material supply to the Manufacturing and Production teams, safeguarding against stock-outs and line-down situations.

Inventory Optimisation: Define, monitor, and optimise inventory parameters (safety stock, order frequency, lead times) to balance component availability with working capital efficiency.

Cross-Functional Alignment: Collaborate closely with Manufacturing & Supply Chain, Finance and Logistics to streamline the procure-to-pay process and ensure material flow aligns with production schedules.

Data Integrity: Ensure purchasing and inventory data integrity within the ERP/Equivalent system to facilitate accurate forecasting and data-driven decision-making.

Supplier Relationship Management (SRM)

Relationship Management: Develop and maintain strategic, productive relationships with key suppliers to foster mutual growth, drive performance improvement, and secure preferential terms.

Familiarity and compliance with AdNav Country of Origin policies & procedures and international quality standards e.g. ISO9001, ISO13485.

Performance Accountability: Establish clear key performance indicators (KPIs) for suppliers and hold them accountable for quality, on-time delivery (OTD), and adherence to contract terms.

Logistics/Shipping:

Manage all freight requirements for Prototype & PPU builds.

Support commercial and technical disciplines by providing supply chain and logistics advice and insight.

Support project teams with freight and logistics needs arising throughout the product development cycle.

Ensure compliance with international freight requirements and processes and all relevant law

QUALIFICATIONS, SKILLS & EXPERIENCE 

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related field.

Certification in Procurement (e.g., CIPS, CSCP) is highly regarded.

Technical aptitude to read and understand technical drawings, specifications, and Bills of Materials (BOMs)

Minimum of 5-7 years of progressive experience in strategic procurement, low volume, high model mix sourcing, and supply chain management, preferably within a complex technology, electronics, or manufacturing environment.

Proven ability to lead complex commercial negotiations and manage contracts.

Demonstrated experience in New Product Introduction (NPI) and influencing design decisions for cost and manufacturability.

In-depth knowledge of inventory management principles (e.g., JIT, consignment, Kanban).

High proficiency with ERP/MRP (Salesforce a bonus) systems and advanced competency in TCO modelling and financial analysis

Excellent communication, interpersonal, and presentation skills, with the ability to influence cross-functional teams (Engineering, Finance, Operations)