Volunteer Procurement, Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advisor
Volunteer Procurement, Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advisor
Rethink Australia Foundation Ltd is a youth-led environmental organisation helping schools and students reduce waste through education, technology and practical action.
As Rethink Australia develops the Refugo AI Smart Bin Ecosystem, we are seeking a practical and commercially minded Volunteer Procurement, Manufacturing & Supply Chain Advisor to guide our pathway from prototype development towards scalable production.
This is an advisory role focused on supplier strategy, manufacturing options, cost considerations and production readiness. The volunteer will help Rethink Australia understand how to prepare for future engagement with component suppliers, contract manufacturers, original equipment manufacturers and original design manufacturers.
Key responsibilities
• Advise on procurement and manufacturing pathways for Refugo hardware
• Help compare prototype, low-volume and scalable production options
• Provide guidance on OEM, ODM and contract manufacturing models
• Help identify the information required for supplier quotations
• Review draft bills of materials, component requirements and cost assumptions
• Advise on supplier evaluation and due diligence criteria
• Help develop requests for information or quotation documents
• Identify potential supply, lead-time, quality and continuity risks
• Advise on design-for-manufacture considerations with technical volunteers
• Support planning for samples, pilot units and future production runs
• Help define appropriate quality expectations and acceptance criteria
• Advise on packaging, logistics, inventory and spare-part considerations
• Support responsible sourcing and environmental considerations where practical
• Help maintain supplier comparison tools, records and decision documentation
• Provide commercial input without independently committing the organisation to purchases or suppliers
About you
We welcome applications from professionals with experience or knowledge in:
• Procurement or strategic sourcing
• Electronics or hardware manufacturing
• Supply chain and logistics
• Contract manufacturing
• OEM or ODM engagement
• Supplier management and quality assurance
• Product development or manufacturing operations
• Costing, bills of materials or production planning
The successful applicant will have sound commercial judgement, strong analytical and communication skills and the ability to explain manufacturing decisions clearly to a multidisciplinary team.
Experience with electronics, embedded hardware, consumer products, education technology or manufacturing in Australia or overseas is highly regarded. Applicants should be comfortable reviewing early-stage concepts while clearly distinguishing estimates, assumptions and verified supplier information.
This is primarily an advisory and planning role. The applicant will not be expected to personally design circuit boards, develop software or manufacture prototypes.
Relationship to other roles
The Advisor will collaborate with the Embedded Hardware & IoT Developer, 3D Product & Enclosure Designer, Full-Stack & PWA Developer and organisational leadership.
Technical volunteers will develop product requirements and design files. The Advisor will help assess how those designs could be sourced, quoted, manufactured, tested and supplied.
The role does not carry authority to enter contracts, approve expenditure, place orders or make commitments on behalf of Rethink Australia.
Why volunteer with Rethink Australia?
This is an opportunity to help shape the manufacturing pathway for an emerging environmental technology intended to support better waste-sorting behaviour in schools.
Your contribution will help Rethink Australia make informed decisions about suppliers, production models, costs, quality and scalability while avoiding preventable manufacturing risks.
Location and commitment
The role is online or remote friendly. Approximately two to four hours per month is anticipated for an initial period of up to six months. Work is flexible and will be organised around agreed advisory tasks and project milestones.
Confidentiality and conflicts
The volunteer must protect confidential technical, commercial and supplier information. Any actual or potential conflict of interest, supplier relationship, commission or financial interest must be disclosed before providing related advice.
How to apply
Please apply through SEEK Volunteer and include a CV or LinkedIn profile. Applicants are encouraged to briefly describe relevant procurement, manufacturing, supply chain or hardware experience.
Shortlisted applicants will be invited to an introductory online conversation. Reference checks may be conducted before appointment.