Lead Supply Chain Specialist - Start-up
Overview
Our client is a rapidly growing, venture-backed AI robotics company building complex hardware products at the intersection of software, automation, and advanced manufacturing. This is a foundational hire—the first dedicated procurement and supply chain leader—tasked with building and scaling the infrastructure required to support product development and production.
Opportunity
The Lead Supply Chain Specialist will establish the systems, processes, and supplier relationships that ensure material readiness, cost efficiency, and operational reliability. They will act as a strategic partner to engineering and operations while remaining hands-on across sourcing, supplier management, planning, and execution.
Key Responsibilities
Develop and execute sourcing strategies aligned with product and business goals
Identify, evaluate, and onboard vendors; lead commercial negotiations and manage supplier relationships
Implement forecasting, materials planning, and inventory strategies to support both prototype and scaled production
Ensure material availability to meet build schedules and production timelines
Establish frameworks for managing long-lead components, supply continuity, and supplier risk
Design and implement scalable procurement processes, workflows, and ERP/MRP utilization
Partner closely with engineering on BOM optimization, component selection, and design for manufacturability
Coordinate logistics, including international shipments, and oversee day-to-day operational execution
Qualifications
8+ years of experience in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain within hardware, robotics, advanced manufacturing, or similarly complex product environments
Proven experience building or scaling supply chain capabilities in early-stage or high-growth companies
Strong negotiation skills with experience managing global supplier networks
Expertise in cost modeling, BOM analysis, and structured procurement processes
Hands-on experience with ERP/MRP systems and managing end-to-end supply chain operations
Experience with cost-reduction initiatives, dual sourcing strategies, and value analysis/value engineering (VA/VE)
Advanced degree in Supply Chain, Operations, Engineering, or a related field preferred