Samir Raj

I possess extensive experience and successful track record in purchasing, procurement, and supply chain management over the last 22 years. Also possess the skills, qualification, and vital experience necessary to make a significant contribution in my roles. I hold diverse experience and expertise in various industries comprising areas of engineering, automation and robotics, airlines, agriculture, and retail business.

During these years I have developed exceptional abilities in sourcing, negotiation of desired contracts, resulting in improved company profitability and development of critical business relationships. I have been accountable in raising purchase orders and keeping a track of the orders and notifying the concerned stakeholders in the team. Also maintaining item description data, price and any amendment in the master data according to the standard of the company.

I hold a proven record of success in effectively managing procurement to meet internal and external deadlines of a wide range of projects. In addition, possess wide experience across international markets and regions and hence adept at meeting new challenges and working in unfamiliar situations. Able to effectively collaborate with all levels of business and maintain lasting relationships with key clients and vendors.

I am committed to my ongoing personal development and a desire to achieve excellence in my leadership and negotiation abilities, and a passion for delivering the best possible service to both clients and colleagues.

Procurement Manager - Global at Farmbot Monitoring Solutions (2021-05 – Present)

Responsible for efficient procurement processes and optimizing supply chains globally. To ensure efficient material sourcing, cost optimisation, and supplier management for our manufacturing and business operations. Strong industry knowledge and expertise in procurement best practices, logistics, and international freight requirements. Responsible for purchasing, planning, communication, and maintaining master data.

• Serve as Farmbot's main point of contact for communications with suppliers, providing prompt replies to questions raised by domestic and international suppliers.
• Identified cost savings, process improvement and quality improvement opportunities, taking action to implement them.
• Drive negotiations of pricing/payment terms with suppliers. Within 1.5 years made substantial savings and improvement in the procurement of goods and services.
• Developed procurement plans and work closely with Production and Finance teams.
• Diligently purchase raw materials to support manufacturing - this includes raising accurate purchase orders and subsequent follow-up activities to ensure the goods are delivered to the correct destinations.
• Effectively manage supply related purchasing including administrative and operational purchasing for Farmbot and Ranchbot (USA).
• Involved in warehousing activities – including receiving incoming goods and putting away stock.
• Support the RMA process with suppliers, for defective or out-of-spec material.
• Stock takes on a monthly basis for the top items and involved with yearly stock takes.

Senior Purchasing Manager - Project at Scott Automation & Robotics (2021-06 – 2024-04)

Responsible for Project sourcing, negotiation, purchasing and supply of engineering products, machine and spare parts used in wide gamut of industries. There are over 300+ suppliers – range from multi-nationals, local and national supply. Maintain and update all the parties involved in terms of costing, supply and delivery of the equipment.

• Within a period of nearly 2 years, put purchasing processes in place to streamline the Project supply and procurement.
• Work with Project team to understand and get the required by sourcing accordingly and follow and deliver throughout.
• Involved in various projects at a given time and work on a multilevel sourcing.
• Work concurrently with project, business and end user to get what is required.
• Worked with range of suppliers to get the best price and quality, negotiate to make range of savings for the projects.

Purchasing Manager at VetQuip (Covetrus Group) Aust. Ltd (2016-12 – 2021-04)

Responsible for a yearly spend of around AUD 30 million and over 5000 SKUs, also manage over 150+ suppliers, ranging multi-nationals, local and national supply. Maintain supplier information including sourcing raw materials, new products, price negotiations. Had around 3 reports in this role assisting in basic purchasing and warehouse supply responsibilities.

• Within a short period cut down the inventory by over 10%, around 3 million dollars.
• Work with technical/sales team to place optimum stock on order and reduced the backorder by 40%.
• Involved in the implementation of sourcing of raw materials required for project and over 15 new products at a national level worth over a million dollars.
• Work with the end user and internal team to put Buy-to-Order, Made-to-order, Buy-to-Stock in place.
• Worked to reduce the obsolete stock, lower shelf life stock and end of line stock worth around 0.5 million dollars.

Purchasing Manager at Bally Technologies (2011-01 – 2016-12)

Responsible for timely purchasing of parts required for project, production and service; also order based on S&OP forecast. Collaborating closely with R & D and sales teams to work in concurrence for new product development. Improving SLA agreements with suppliers in getting raw materials and complete items and work on their KPI's; tracking and evaluating vendor performance and various contracts.

Monitoring part requirements for clients in various markets including Australia, Hong Kong, Macau, Singapore, New Zealand, and others. In this role, I had 3 reports in purchasing and supply.

• Developed key local and overseas supplier relationships; implemented supply process improvements by putting contract and tenders in place and having around 20% suppliers under this category.
• Demonstrated excellence in forecasting variable demand levels in collaboration with planning and sales teams; ordering based on these forecasts and reducing the inventory by over 5 million in a couple of years' time.
• Identified improvement opportunities from time to time and involved team to implement it.

Materials Manager at Aero Inventory Pty Ltd (Qantas Airways) (2008-03 – 2010-12)

Work on various projects required to meet contract service levels through providing support, response and assistance to Qantas. Stick to stringent time frame of turnaround within a 24-hour. Utilised the Planning Inventory Management System to plan for raw materials, items and project requirements and produce forecasting.

• Awarded recognition from Qantas Airways for parts required for various projects in a timely manner under stringent Deadlines.
• Developed strong working relationships with local and global suppliers including Airbus, Boeing and Honeywell to name a few.
• Demonstrated excellence in negotiating freight contracts with various suppliers.

Purchasing Manager at CompAir Australasia Pty Ltd. (2003 – 2008)

• Ensured efficient procurement of raw materials, parts and machines required for various projects while continuously providing process updates; maintained a strong network of major partners and vendors.
• Developed key relationships with suppliers and business partners; negotiated with shipping companies.