Technical Inventory and Procurement Specialist

Job Summary

Our department is the heart of our testing and development—a high-energy environment where hardware and software converge. We are seeking a Technical Procurement & Inventory Specialist to lead our supply chain efforts and manage the physical lifecycle of our robotic assets. This is a senior-level hybrid role designed for a strategic thinker who can balance high-level vendor negotiations with the hands-on organization of a technical lab.

The role is a 50/50 split between Strategic Procurement and Advanced Inventory Management. As a senior member of the team, you will not only execute these tasks but also design the processes, select the tools, and mentor future junior-to-mid-level hires to ensure our operations scale with our technological ambitions.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities

Strategic Procurement & Sourcing

• End-to-End Purchasing: Lead the procurement of VR hardware, manipulation items, environmentals, and additional equipment.
• Vendor Strategy: Identify and vet global suppliers. Negotiate pricing, and delivery schedules to ensure cost-efficiency and reliability.
• BOM Management: Partner with Engineering leads to analyze complex Bills of Materials (BOMs), forecasting needs to prevent project bottlenecks.
• Risk Mitigation: Proactively identify supply chain vulnerabilities (e.g., product discontinuation) and develop alternative sourcing strategies.
• Budget Oversight: Manage departmental spending, providing reports to Finance and Operations on project-specific hardware costs.

Advanced Inventory & Lifecycle Management

• Department Infrastructure: Design and maintain the physical layout and digital tracking systems for the department, ensuring 100% visibility of mission-critical assets.
• ERP Leadership: Serve as the power-user for our ERP/MRP systems, optimizing workflows for kitting, tracking, and auditing.
• Complex RMA Oversight: Manage the high-level Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) process for expensive or mission-critical failures, escalating issues with vendor engineering teams as needed.
• Process Standardization: Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for receiving, inspecting, and distributing hardware across the department.
• Auditing & Compliance: Lead regular high-stakes inventory audits and implement cycle-counting programs to maintain data integrity.

Skills and Requirements

• Negotiation Skills: Proven track record of negotiating favorable terms with international vendors and managing high-value contracts.
• Technical Fluency: Ability to read technical drawings and understand hardware specifications to ensure correct part sourcing.
• Systems Mastery: Advanced proficiency in ERP/MRP software (e.g., NetSuite, Oracle, SAP) and data analysis tools (Excel/Google Sheets).
• Leadership: Experience designing workflows from scratch and a desire to mentor junior team members.
• Problem-Solving: A proactive mindset capable of resolving complex logistics or sourcing challenges independently.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in technical procurement and inventory management, ideally in robotics, aerospace, or high-tech manufacturing.
• Experience in a high-growth startup or R&D environment is highly preferred.
• Professional certifications (e.g., CPSM, CPIM) are a significant plus.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to lift 25-45 pounds at times.
• Vision to read printed materials and a computer screen.
• Mobility to move through a lab/workshop environment frequently.