Director, Procurement and Strategic Sourcing (Bots)

What we need 

The Director of Strategic Sourcing and Procurement of Bots plays a critical leadership role within Symbotic, driving the development and execution of comprehensive sourcing Bot strategies that align with the company’s innovation-driven goals. This role is central to ensuring that Symbotic secures the highest quality materials and services for its bots, all while optimizing costs and enhancing operational efficiencies. The director will lead a high-performing team, establish long-term strategic supplier partnerships, and implements best-in-class procurement practices to support Symbotic’s competitive edge in the market.  

This position will serve as the primary point of contact for maintaining and managing relationships with some of the second-tier suppliers involved in this category, ensuring seamless integration and alignment with Symbotic’s broader supply chain objectives. 

What we do 

Our global sourcing, procurement and third-party supplier team develop innovative category management strategies in collaboration with the business. The team focuses on strategic third-party partner agreements and help support supplier relationship management, commercial and financial pricing models for overall supplier performance. 

What you’ll do 

• Develop and implement sourcing strategies for the Bot category aligned with Symbotic’s goals. 

• Focus on cost-effectiveness, risk mitigation, and supplier reliability and supplier reliability to contribute to bottom-line growth of the company. 

• Lead initiatives to drive procurement innovation and supply chain efficiency 

• Engage in high-level customer discussions to present Symbotic’s procurement strategy and showcase the value derived from strategic initiatives. 

• Lead and mentor a team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement and high performance. 

• Equip the team with skills for a rapidly evolving industry. 

• Establish and nurture strong, collaborative relationships with key suppliers and Contract Manufacturers, negotiating contracts and long-term contractual agreements that meet quality and cost standards. 

• Lead complex negotiations to meet quality, cost, and service standards. 

• Serve as the escalation point for supplier issues to ensure timely resolution. 

• Conduct market analysis to identify trends and assess supply chain risks. Develop KPIs and supplier scorecards to evaluate performance. 

• Develop strategies to ensure reliable supply in volatile markets. 

• Collaborate with finance, engineering, R&D, and quality teams to align procurement with company goals. 

• Lead sourcing activities for New Product Introduction in collaboration with R&D. 

• Use data insights for continuous improvement and decision-making. 

• Implement structured negotiation processes and industry-leading procurement practices to enhance operational efficiency, reduce costs, and deliver measurable value to the organization. Identify cost-saving opportunities without sacrificing quality or timelines. 

What you’ll need 

• Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; Master’s degree preferred. 

• Minimum of ten (10) years of experience in Strategic Sourcing and Procurement. 

• Minimum of three (3) years leading a team of sourcing and procurement professionals.  

• Minimum three (3) years of effectively leading a category. 

• Experience managing Contract Manufacturers as suppliers is a must. 

• Utilize ERP systems and advanced procurement tools for efficiency. 

• Relevant experience within the robotics, autonomous vehicles, or automation industry preferred.  

• Strong ability to negotiate contracts and agreements that benefit the organization while maintaining positive supplier relationships. 

• Ability to work in a matrixed organization and influence across the matrix. 

• Proficient in data analysis and market research to inform sourcing decisions and strategy development. 

• Ability to make informed, timely decisions regarding supplier selection and procurement strategies. 

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective collaboration with internal teams and external suppliers. 

• Strong organizational skills to manage multiple projects and deadlines effectively. 

Our Environment 

• Up to 50% of travel may be required. Employees must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to drive and/or fly to client and other customer locations. 

• Travel to Mexico at least once a quarter for critical supplier visits. 

• The employee is responsible to own a credit card and manage expenses personally to be reimbursed on a bi-weekly basis.