Procurement Specialist (Supplier Performance & Compliance)

 I.  Role Summary

The Procurement Specialist negotiates complex terms, vets high-tier ODM/OEM partners, and ensures our supply chain can meet zero-defect retail distribution standards without heavy executive hand-holding.

1. SLA Enforcement & Vendor Accountability

• Strictly enforce vendor SLAs, particularly regarding defect rates, lead times, and material compliance.
• Initiate and execute automatic invoice chargebacks or payment holds when suppliers fail to meet agreed-upon quality standards (e.g., zero-defect tolerances).
• Strip supplier leverage by transitioning away from informal "customer complaint" refund models to hardline, contractually bound penalties.

1. Strategic Contract & Negotiation Management

• Negotiate complex pricing tiers, MOQs, payment terms, and liability clauses (including product recall liability offsets) with APAC and AMER suppliers.
• Own the supplier setup and onboarding process from initial outreach until the first PO is raised and handed over to Procurement.
• Differentiate clearly between OEM and ODM capabilities to align supplier strengths with Starbond’s NPI strategy.

1. Quality Control Pipeline Ownership

• Direct and manage overseas third-party QA inspectors (e.g., Helen) to ensure unannounced audits and rigorous batch testing are executed.
• Analyze internal QC failure data and mandate immediate corrective actions from suppliers before shipments are authorized.
• Collaborate with R&D and Operations to translate retail packaging requirements into enforceable vendor manufacturing specs.

1. Supplier Vetting & Diversification

• Aggressively vet and onboard new tollers and manufacturers to replace underperforming vendors and eliminate single-point-of-failure risks in the BOM.
• Conduct deep-dive risk assessments on prospective suppliers’ financial stability, quality control infrastructure, and raw material sourcing.

1. Cross-Functional Handoff & Alignment

• Partner seamlessly with the Procurement team, handing over clean, locked-in contracts and SLAs for them to execute routine POs.
• Provide executive leadership with clear risk assessments regarding vendor capabilities ahead of major Big Box retail launches.

III. Expectations & Deliverables

• Active Dispute/Chargeback Tracker: Status of all pending financial penalties or rework requests currently being enforced against suppliers.
• QA Alert Summary: Flash reports on any batch inspection failures and the immediate vendor corrective actions taken.

• Supplier Performance Scorecard: Formal grading of top suppliers based on defect rates, SLA adherence, and responsiveness, triggering probation or offboarding if thresholds are missed.
• Financial Impact Report: Summary of total chargebacks recovered and cost-savings achieved through renegotiated terms.
• NPI Sourcing Pipeline: Status of new vendor vetting, including contract negotiation stages and OEM/ODM capability mapping.

• Supplier Risk & Diversification Review: Comprehensive audit of supply chain vulnerabilities, highlighting which critical BOM components are single-sourced and the status of backup tollers.
• SLA Contract Audits: Review and update of existing supplier contracts to ensure Starbond remains legally and financially protected against shifting retail requirements.

• SLA Enforcement & Accountability: 100% of vendor-driven QC failures result in an executed chargeback, payment hold, or free replacement within 14 days of detection.
• Incoming Quality Yield (IQY): ≥98% first-pass yield from suppliers, with a strict 0% critical defect rate for any Big Box retail allocations.
• SLA & Liability Coverage: 100% of Tier 1 & NPI suppliers operating under active, legally binding SLAs that include defined penalty clauses and shared product recall liability.
• Risk Mitigation (Supplier Audits): 100% of new NPI suppliers pass a strict third-party or internal compliance and quality audit before the first PO is authorized.
• Time-to-Contract (NPI): Average ≤ 30 days from initial supplier validation to a finalized, fully negotiated contract handed off to Procurement.