About the Role

ET2C International is seeking an experienced and technically capable Industrial Merchandiser to support the sourcing, development and delivery of industrial products and components for our international clients.

The successful candidate will manage projects from initial enquiry and technical evaluation through supplier sourcing, quotation, production, quality control and delivery. The role requires a strong understanding of industrial products, manufacturing processes, engineering specifications and supplier management.

You will work closely with clients, suppliers and ET2C’s Sales, Sourcing, QA/QC, Purchasing and Logistics teams to deliver technically compliant, commercially competitive and reliable sourcing solutions.

Key Responsibilities

1. Enquiry & RFQ Management

• Receive, review and analyse new enquiries from clients and internal Sales teams.
• Assess technical drawings, specifications, materials, tolerances, manufacturing requirements and project expectations.
• Identify missing, unclear or conflicting technical information and obtain clarification before requesting supplier quotations.
• Translate customer requirements into clear RFQ packages for potential suppliers.
• Identify and evaluate suppliers with appropriate industrial manufacturing capabilities.
• Confirm suppliers’ ability to meet required:
  • Material specifications
  • Manufacturing processes
  • Dimensions and tolerances
  • Quality standards
  • Testing requirements
  • Inspection criteria
  • Production capacity
  • Lead times
• Obtain and compare quotations from multiple qualified suppliers.
• Negotiate pricing, MOQs, tooling costs, lead times, payment terms and other commercial conditions.
• Ensure quotations accurately reflect customer technical and commercial requirements.
• Prepare and submit quotations within agreed timelines.
• Work with relevant internal stakeholders to ensure proposed solutions are technically appropriate and commercially competitive.

2. Industrial Supplier Sourcing & Development

• Identify, assess and develop suppliers specialising in industrial products, components and manufacturing processes.
• Maintain strong relationships with existing suppliers while continuously identifying alternative and improved sourcing options.
• Evaluate suppliers based on:
  • Technical capability
  • Manufacturing processes
  • Quality systems
  • Production capacity
  • Commercial competitiveness
  • Lead times
  • Reliability
  • Engineering support
  • Compliance requirements
• Visit factories and suppliers where required to assess technical capabilities and production processes.
• Support supplier qualification and audit activities in collaboration with QA/QC teams.
• Develop a reliable supplier network capable of supporting ET2C’s industrial sourcing requirements.
• Continuously review supplier performance and identify opportunities for cost, quality and process improvement.

3. Product & Technical Sourcing

• Source industrial products and solutions according to client requirements and market opportunities.
• Maintain strong product knowledge across relevant categories, including:
  • Hardware
  • Hand tools
  • Power tools
  • Industrial components
  • Engineering products
  • Technical and manufactured products
• Research relevant manufacturing technologies, products and industry developments.
• Proactively identify new industrial sourcing opportunities based on customer requirements and market trends.
• Support product development and value-engineering opportunities where appropriate.
• Work with suppliers and internal teams to identify technically viable and commercially competitive alternatives.

4. Technical Evaluation & Product Development

• Review technical drawings, product specifications and manufacturing requirements with suppliers.
• Confirm that suppliers understand all critical product characteristics before sampling or production begins.
• Coordinate prototype, sample and pre-production development.
• Review samples against agreed specifications and coordinate technical feedback.
• Ensure changes to specifications, drawings or requirements are accurately documented and communicated.
• Coordinate with engineering, sourcing and QA/QC stakeholders where technical clarification is required.
• Support product improvements and value-engineering initiatives where commercially and technically appropriate.

5. Order & Project Management

• Manage assigned orders from initial confirmation through production and final delivery.
• Review customer Purchase Orders and confirm all technical and commercial requirements.
• Coordinate samples, approvals, production schedules and delivery requirements.
• Maintain regular communication with suppliers throughout the manufacturing process.
• Monitor key project and production milestones.
• Identify potential technical, quality, production or delivery risks at an early stage.
• Develop and coordinate corrective actions when issues arise.
• Manage urgent or unexpected issues between customers and suppliers professionally and efficiently.
• Keep relevant internal stakeholders informed of project status, risks and required actions.

6. Quality Assurance & Quality Control

• Work closely with ET2C’s QA/QC teams and suppliers to ensure products meet agreed technical specifications and quality requirements.
• Establish clear inspection requirements based on customer specifications, drawings and applicable standards.
• Coordinate inspections and testing where required.
• Monitor and follow up on:
  • Quality defects
  • Dimensional discrepancies
  • Material issues
  • Manufacturing problems
  • Inspection failures
  • Corrective actions
• Support root-cause analysis and corrective/preventive actions for recurring quality problems.
• Ensure significant quality risks are escalated promptly.
• Work proactively with suppliers and QA/QC teams to prevent quality issues before shipment.

7. Purchasing, Logistics & Delivery Coordination

• Work closely with Purchasing and Logistics teams to ensure products are completed and delivered according to agreed schedules.
• Monitor production progress and shipment readiness.
• Coordinate supplier information required for purchasing and logistics activities.
• Identify potential production or shipment delays and implement appropriate recovery actions.
• Communicate material changes to delivery schedules promptly.
• Maintain a strong focus on achieving on-time delivery while protecting product quality and technical compliance.

8. Client & Cross-Functional Communication

• Facilitate clear communication between clients, suppliers and ET2C’s internal teams.
• Ensure technical requirements and specifications are understood consistently by all relevant parties.
• Provide customers with accurate updates on sourcing, samples, production, quality and delivery.
• Support Sales and Business Development teams with technical sourcing information.
• Help manage customer expectations when specifications, costs, production schedules or other project requirements change.
• Provide practical technical and commercial solutions rather than simply escalating problems.
• Deliver professional and value-added support throughout the project lifecycle.

9. Client & Supplier Visits

• Organise and support technical sourcing and factory visits for customers.
• Identify appropriate suppliers and factories for customer buying or technical trips.
• Prepare relevant product, supplier and project information before visits.
• Participate in supplier meetings, factory evaluations and technical discussions where required.
• Support customers during product reviews, sourcing discussions and manufacturing assessments.
• Represent ET2C professionally during all client and supplier interactions.

10. Systems, Documentation & Reporting

• Enter and maintain relevant project, supplier and order information accurately within SAP and other ET2C systems.
• Ensure technical and commercial documentation is properly maintained.
• Maintain accurate records of:
  • RFQs
  • Supplier quotations
  • Technical specifications
  • Drawings and revisions
  • Samples and approvals
  • Purchase and sales order information
  • Quality requirements
  • Project progress
• Work with relevant internal departments to ensure system information remains accurate and current.

11. Additional Responsibilities

• Provide technical sourcing support and insights to customers and internal teams.
• Identify opportunities to improve supplier performance, product quality, cost and manufacturing efficiency.
• Support continuous improvement within the Industrial Sourcing team.
• Perform other reasonable duties assigned by the Department Manager to support project execution and customer satisfaction.

Candidate Requirements Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Engineering or another relevant technical discipline.
• Minimum 3 years of relevant experience within industrial sourcing, merchandising, manufacturing, engineering procurement or a similar environment.
• Practical experience working with industrial suppliers and manufacturers.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and technical product requirements.
• Experience managing RFQs, supplier quotations, product development, sampling, production and order follow-up.
• Experience working with international customers or international trade environments is preferred.

Product & Technical Knowledge

Candidates should have strong knowledge of industrial products, preferably including:

• Hardware products
• Hand tools
• Power tools
• Industrial components
• Engineered products
• Manufacturing processes
• Materials and product specifications

Candidates should also be comfortable interpreting technical drawings and engineering specifications and communicating technical requirements to suppliers.

Commercial & Sourcing Skills

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong supplier sourcing and evaluation skills.
• Good commercial awareness.
• Confident price and commercial negotiation skills.
• Ability to compare suppliers based on technical capability, quality, price, reliability and lead time.
• Strong RFQ and quotation-management skills.
• Ability to balance technical requirements with commercial objectives.
• Strong supplier relationship-management skills.

Systems & Technical Skills

• Proficient in Microsoft Office, particularly:
  • Excel
  • Word
  • PowerPoint
  • Outlook
• Familiarity with SAP or similar ERP systems.
• Ability to interpret technical and engineering drawings.
• Familiarity with relevant drawing or CAD-viewing tools is preferred.
• Strong attention to documentation and data accuracy.

English Language Skills

• Good written and spoken English.
• Ability to communicate technical and commercial information clearly with international customers, suppliers and colleagues.
• Ability to prepare professional emails, quotations and project documentation in English.

Personal Attributes

The successful candidate should demonstrate:

• Strong sense of responsibility and ownership.
• Self-motivation and initiative.
• Strong technical and commercial judgement.
• Excellent observation and analytical skills.
• Strong problem-solving ability.
• Excellent communication and negotiation skills.
• Strong attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across departments.
• Professional and respectful communication with colleagues, customers, suppliers and management.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities.
• Ability to work effectively under pressure.
• Commitment to quality, technical excellence and customer satisfaction.
• Willingness to travel to customers, suppliers, factories and exhibitions when required.
• Positive contribution to the wider ET2C team.

Key Performance Areas

Performance in this role will be assessed across areas including:

• RFQ response time and accuracy
• Technical accuracy of quotations
• Cost competitiveness
• Supplier sourcing and development
• Supplier technical capability
• Negotiated commercial improvements
• Product development and sample performance
• Product quality and technical compliance
• Order and project management
• On-time production and delivery
• Customer satisfaction and responsiveness
• Resolution of technical and supplier issues
• SAP and documentation accuracy
• Cross-functional collaboration
• New industrial sourcing opportunities identified

Equal Opportunities

At ET2C International, we are committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive workplace.

We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and are committed to ensuring that every applicant is treated fairly, professionally and respectfully throughout our recruitment process.

We believe that bringing together different perspectives, experiences and ideas strengthens our organisation and contributes to our continued success.