Procurement Associate – Trading Infrastructure & Operations

Role Overview

The Procurement Associate will support end-to-end sourcing, vendor coordination, and procurement operations for NK Securities’ trading-critical infrastructure and business needs. This role works closely with Infrastructure, Network Engineering, Quant, Finance, and Legal teams to ensure timely procurement, vendor responsiveness, and operational efficiency in a fast-paced, low-latency trading environment.

Key Responsibilities

1. Sourcing Execution & Vendor Coordination

Support sourcing across categories including

• IT hardware (servers, networking equipment)
• Colocation, telecom, cloud/SaaS
• Market data and professional services
• Assist in running RFQs/RFPs, collecting vendor quotes, and preparing comparison sheets
• Coordinate with vendors on pricing, timelines, and deliverables
• Maintain and update vendor database and documentation

1. Trading Infrastructure Procurement Support

Work with Infrastructure & Network teams to

• Procure servers, switches, NICs, and related hardware
• Track order status, delivery timelines, and deployment readiness
• Ensure accuracy of technical specifications in POs and vendor communication
• Follow up with vendors to minimize delays in trading-critical equipment

1. Procurement Operations & Compliance

• Raise purchase orders (POs), track approvals, and ensure proper documentation
• Support contract documentation including NDAs, MSAs, and basic commercial terms
• Ensure adherence to procurement SOPs, internal controls, and audit requirements
• Maintain records for all procurement transactions and contracts

1. Cost Tracking & Reporting

• Assist in tracking spend across categories (CAPEX/OPEX)
• Support preparation of cost comparison sheets and savings analysis
• Identify basic cost optimization opportunities through vendor benchmarking

1. Logistics & Inventory Coordination

• Track shipments, deliveries, and coordinate with logistics/customs (as required)
• Support inventory tracking, asset tagging, and spares management
• Ensure availability of critical components with minimal downtime risk

1. Vendor Management Support

• Act as a day-to-day point of contact for vendors for operational queries
• Track vendor performance on delivery timelines and responsiveness
• Support vendor onboarding and documentation processes

1. Cross-Functional Collaboration

Work closely with

• Engineering teams for requirements and timelines
• Finance for payments and budgeting
• Legal for documentation and compliance
• Ensure smooth coordination between internal stakeholders and vendors

Candidate Profile

Experience

• 1–5 years of experience in Procurement / Sourcing / Supply Chain
• Exposure to IT procurement or technology-driven environments preferred
• Experience in startups, fintech, SaaS, telecom, or infra-heavy setups is a plus

Skills & Competencies

• Strong coordination and stakeholder management skills
• Basic understanding of procurement processes (RFQ, PO, vendor management)
• Ability to work with technical teams and understand requirements (training will be provided)
• Good analytical skills for price comparisons and tracking
• High ownership, responsiveness, and attention to detail
• Comfortable working in a fast-paced, execution-driven environment