Director, Supply Chain Management

Persona AI is developing and commercializing rugged, multi-purpose humanoid robots that perform real work. Our founding team has a decades-long history in humanoid robotics, bionics, and product development delivering robust hardware that has touched the stars, worked miles below the ocean’s surface, and roamed Disney Parks. Our mission is focused on shipping beautiful, reliable products at massive scale while building a customer-focused team.

About the Role

We are seeking a seasoned Supply Chain Leader to design, build, and scale our end-to-end supply chain function from the ground up. This is an opportunity for an experienced supply chain leader who thrives on establishing infrastructure, processes, systems, metrics, and teams in a startup environment without a formalized supply chain operation. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of building supply chain organizations, operates equally well at strategic and tactical levels, and excels in negotiations, contracts, metrics, and mentoring. Key to success is the ability to transition product from development to volume manufacturing at hyper speed.

Responsibilities

• Design the supply chain organization structure from scratch, including strategic sourcing, procurement, planning, and logistics.
• Develop strategy for supplier footprint, logistics, and warehousing to establish efficient, reliable, and repeatable delivery of product to Persona’s manufacturing site.
• Establish process and metrics for supplier qualification to meet Persona’s demanding plan for scale.
• Scrutinize suppliers' ability to repeatedly meet qualification levels as volume scales (Supplier Validation).
• Develop and maintain vendor partnerships; create scorecards for evaluation of supplier performance; manage RFx processes (RFI, RFP, RFQ).
• Establish a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.
• Develop and execute a multi-year supply chain strategy aligned with business growth objectives.
• Lead make-vs-buy decisions and “risk buy” requirements.
• Implement an S&OP process.
• Establish a warehousing strategy, including WMS selection, location, ownership, and logistics.
• Establish and communicate KPIs via a data collection strategy.
• Implement ISO certification and other industry compliance standards based on customer base and geographic locations (regulatory and compliance).
• Execute purchase orders for materials, components, and supplies needed for robotics manufacturing operations.
• Monitor and track all orders from placement through delivery, ensuring on-time receipt of materials.
• Expedite parts as required to keep the product schedule on track.
• Maintain optimal inventory levels, track stock levels, and coordinate with manufacturing to prevent shortages or excess inventory.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with existing and potential suppliers to optimize cost and delivery.
• Analyze purchasing data and trends to inform decision-making.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 10+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain management in a manufacturing environment.
• Experience buying mechanical, electrical, cables, circuit boards, and soft and hard materials/components.
• Understanding of manufacturing processes and material requirements, ideally in electronics, robotics, or precision manufacturing.
• Proven ability to negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with suppliers.
• Experience implementing MSAs, SLAs, and NDAs.
• Proficiency with ERP systems, inventory management software, and procurement platforms.
• Strong analytical abilities, with experience in cost analysis, data interpretation, and report generation.
• Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple orders simultaneously.
• Advanced Excel skills for data analysis, reporting, and inventory tracking.
• Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) sourcing in a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment.
• Experience collaborating with engineering on Design for Manufacturability (DFM) during early-stage sourcing.

Skills

• Experience working with actuators.
• Sourcing servo motors, harmonic drives, or planetary gearboxes.
• Familiarity with precision bearings, encoders, or force/torque sensors.
• Procuring lithium-ion battery cells/packs and BMS components.
• Sourcing custom cable harnesses and connectors for high-flex, high-cycle applications.
• Experience with precision-machined, cast, or forged structural components.
• Dual-sourcing or supply risk mitigation strategies for constrained/allocated components (e.g., semiconductors).
• Familiarity with export control regulations (ITAR/EAR) relevant to robotics hardware.
• Experience with AS9100 or ISO 9001 supplier quality requirements.
• Sourcing from Taiwan/China electronics manufacturing ecosystems.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Performance-based bonus.
• 99% employer-covered medical benefits (employee and dependents).
• Early-stage equity.
• Competitive PTO.
• Company-wide paid winter break between Christmas Eve and New Year's.