Sourcing Specialist - Polymers & Advanced Manufacturing

Sourcing Specialist – Polymers & Advanced Manufacturing

LOCATION:

Aylesford, Kent, Office based or Hybrid

WORKING HOURS:

8.00am – 4.30pm

CONTRACT:

Full-time, Permanent

We're looking for a Sourcing Specialist to join our growing team at Pineapple.

This is an exciting opportunity to become part of an award-winning business where you'll play an important role in supporting our continued success. If you're passionate about delivering great results, enjoy working collaboratively and are looking for a company that genuinely values its people, we'd love to hear from you.

• We’re looking for an experienced sourcing professional with strong knowledge of polymers and manufacturing processes. You’ll have experience working with suppliers, evaluating manufacturing capabilities and sourcing materials or components within a manufacturing environment.
• You’ll be commercially minded, technically curious and confident working with suppliers and cross-functional teams. Experience in polymer manufacturing, NPD, product development or a related industry would be highly desirable.
• Most importantly, you’ll be a practical problem-solver who enjoys finding new suppliers, exploring manufacturing solutions and turning product concepts into commercially viable products.
• Identify, evaluate and onboard suppliers to support new product development and manufacturing requirements.
• Source polymer materials, moulded components and finished products for new and existing ranges.
• Develop strong supplier relationships to drive innovation, quality, cost reduction and sustainability.
• Assess supplier capabilities, manufacturing processes, technical expertise, quality systems and capacity.
• Work closely with Materials, Design, Engineering and NPD teams to identify manufacturing solutions for new products.
• Lead supplier RFQs, capability assessments, sample reviews, commercial evaluations and negotiations.
• Review supplier technical information and test evidence, identifying gaps, risks and areas requiring clarification.
• Support tooling, prototyping, development and industrialisation activities through to product launch.
• Identify emerging manufacturing technologies, processes and materials that could benefit Pineapple.
• Coordinate supplier visits, audits, development meetings and technical reviews.
• Build and maintain a strong supplier pipeline across polymers and processes including rotational moulding, injection moulding, blow moulding and extrusion.
• Manage multiple sourcing and supplier-development projects, ensuring key milestones, risks and deadlines are effectively communicated and delivered.
• Any other ad hoc duties as required by the business.

You’ll build a strong supplier network, identify innovative manufacturing solutions and help bring new products to market on time, at the right quality and cost.

• Degree, HND or equivalent practical experience in Polymer Science, Manufacturing, Engineering, Product Design, Supply Chain or a related field.
• Proven experience in sourcing, supplier development or supplier management within a manufacturing environment, ideally involving polymers or plastics.
• Strong understanding of polymer materials and manufacturing processes, including injection moulding, rotational moulding, extrusion, blow moulding and thermoforming.
• Experience working directly with suppliers and manufacturers, assessing capabilities and confidently challenging technical information where required.
• Experience identifying, evaluating and developing new supplier relationships to support product development and commercial manufacturing.
• Understanding of product development and how material choices impact manufacturing, durability, user needs and sustainability.
• Experience conducting supplier visits, technical reviews and capability assessments.
• Strong commercial awareness, including material costs, tooling, MOQs, lead times, development costs and supply risks.
• Excellent planning, prioritisation, problem-solving and decision-making skills, with the ability to manage multiple projects independently.
• Comfortable travelling to supplier sites in the UK and internationally.
• Strong IT skills,…