Strategic Sourcing Manager

Zoox, Foster City, CA

See jobs at Zoox

This role will be responsible for Zoox’s strategic sourcing and industry partnerships, which includes working cross-functionally to understand needs for third-party engagement across the business, finding and evaluating potential partners and suppliers, drafting and issuing RFQs, leading the negotiation of all key terms and conditions as well as pricing, managing commercial and supply chain issues, identifying and executing on cost reduction opportunities, and overall management of third party relationships. Strategic sourcing managers who can operate independently and posses expertise in electronics, powertrain, chassis, body, safety systems, EV charging, fleet maintenance or capital equipment are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Lead procurement and partnership initiatives for vehicle direct materials (interiors, structural components, advanced hardware) and/or operations infrastructure (EV charging, vehicle maintenance, capital equipment)
Proactively engage with Zoox stakeholders (incl. engineering, operations, manufacturing, strategy, finance, design) to derive and execute on the medium term (3-5 years) business and technology roadmap to support Zoox’s vehicle development program and autonomous ride-hailing service
Develop the supply chain and partnership footprint with a long-term, strategic view
Lead the day-to-day process of ensuring successful partnerships (milestone adherence, change order management, quality assurance, cost control, etc.) and build supplier performance assessments to support future sourcing decisions
Design, conduct, and synthesize supplier, industry, and market research
Drive cost transparency and build total cost of ownership models to support sourcing decisions
Ensure optimal contract coverage for the commodity/service in partnership with engineering and legal support
Build and maintain strategic relationships with key suppliers as the lead point of contact for all commercial issues
Review, analyze, and finalize quote packages from suppliers
Support and inform internal stakeholders with respect to supplier selection and management
Identify sourcing alternatives to drive efficiencies via benchmarking, competitive quotes, and changing requirements
Build and develop a supporting team that will scale to support the goals of the business

Qualifications

At least 5 years of experience in partnership development and/or purchasing in a hardware product environment
Bachelor’s degree
Strategic sourcing, financial and business opportunity analysis, comfort with legal frameworks and contract negotiation skills (development, supply, licensing, and service agreements)
Excellent communication skills with ability to influence cross-functional stakeholders, including C-level, engineering, legal, finance, manufacturing, and logistics
Superior analytical skills
Advanced Microsoft Excel skills
Demonstrated ability to work in a team environment to achieve business objectives
Demonstrated ability to identify business process issues and drive process improvement
Open-minded self-starter with the ability to adapt, improvise, and problem-solve
Ability to work independently on multiple tasks and projects with various stakeholders
Organizational skills to manage and track transactional details

Bonus Qualifications

Master's/MBA

ABOUT ZOOX

Zoox is developing the first ground-up, fully autonomous vehicle fleet and the supporting ecosystem required to bring this technology to market. Sitting at the intersection of artificial intelligence, robotics, and design, Zoox aims to provide the next generation of mobility-as-a-service in urban environments. We’re looking for top talent that shares our passion and wants to be part of a fast-moving and highly execution-oriented team.

A Final Note:

You do not need to match every listed expectation to apply for this position. Here at Zoox, we know that diverse perspectives foster the innovation we need to be successful, and we are committed to building a team that encompasses a variety of backgrounds, experiences, and skills.

About Zoox

About us Zoox is a Menlo Park, CA-based robotics company founded by Tim Kentley-Klay and Dr. Jesse Levinson to create autonomous mobility. Operating at the intersection of design, computer science, and electro-mechanical engineering, Zoox is a multidisciplinary team working to imagine and build an advanced mobility experience that will support the future needs of urban mobility for both people and the environment.