Procurement Lead

About the role

The Engineering team at Rainmaker develops and incorporates advanced technologies such as radar validation, weather-resistant unmanned aerial systems (UAS), numerical weather modeling, and sustainable cloud seeds into an effective precipitation enhancement solution. This role involves leading all procurement activities across the company.

Responsibilities

• Own end-to-end procurement for production parts (PCBAs, composites, machined components, sheet metal, and more) – from sourcing through delivery to the dock, with full accountability for getting parts here on time
• Call suppliers directly and urgently when parts are at risk, keep following up until they ship, and coordinate with the logistics team to arrange expedited pickup or delivery when that's the fastest path
• Source, qualify, and manage high-impact domestic supplier relationships, negotiating multi-year strategic agreements that secure cost, capacity, and lead-time performance
• Manage procurement activity in NetSuite/Cofactr, partner cross-functionally with engineering and production, and proactively flag supply chain risks before they hit the line
• Bring structure and urgency to procurement as we scale, juggling multiple commodities and programs at once without dropping the ball

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, supply chain, business, or other related field (Master’s is a plus)
• 2+ years of experience in supply chain/procurement in a similar industry
• Experience sourcing production parts from the domestic supply chain in commodities like PCBAs, composites, machined components, sheet metal, etc.
• Experience managing high-impact supplier relationships in the domestic supply chain
• Ability to relocate, if not already local, to be onsite in El Segundo, CA
• Proficiency in Excel and experience with Netsuite ERP
• Effective time management and multitasking skills; addressing all tasks with a sense of urgency

Qualifications

• Experience negotiating multi-year strategic supplier agreements
• 2+ years of experience working in a small/growing team in a fast-paced, start-up environment

Skills

• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills
• Proactive problem-solving and risk management
• Excellent organizational and project management skills
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team

Benefits

• Significant stock options with high potential upside as an early-stage company
• 401(k) with employer matching
• Full health coverage (medical, dental, and vision insurance)
• Relocation assistance provided (if applicable)
• Unlimited PTO
• Paid parental leave for both parents
• Lunch provided when working in-office and a fully stocked kitchenette
• Free EV charging at the HQ