Director, Supply Chain Management

Persona AI Inc•Houston, TX

2d•Onsite

About The Position

We are seeking a seasoned Supply Chain Leader to design, build, and scale our end-to-end supply chain function from the ground up. This is an exciting opportunity for an experienced supply chain leader who thrives on establishing infrastructure, processes, systems, metrics and teams in a start-up environment that has yet to create a formalized supply chain operation. The ideal candidate has a proven track record of building supply chain organizations, not just managing or maintaining an existing one. This candidate operates equally well at both strategic and tactical levels. This candidate also thrives in negotiations, contracts, metrics and mentoring. Key to success is the ability to transition product from development stage to volume manufacturing at hyper speed.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field (or equivalent experience)
10+ years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or supply chain management in a manufacturing environment
Experience buying mechanical, electrical, cables, circuit boards, and soft and hard materials/components
Understanding of manufacturing processes and material requirements, ideally in electronics, robotics, or precision manufacturing
Proven ability to negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with suppliers
Experience implementing MSAs, SLAs, and NDAs
Proficiency with ERP systems, inventory management software, and procurement platforms
Strong analytical abilities, with experience in cost analysis, data interpretation, and report generation
Excellent organizational skills with attention to detail and the ability to manage multiple orders simultaneously
Advanced Excel skills for data analysis, reporting, and inventory tracking
Experience supporting New Product Introduction (NPI) sourcing in a low-volume, high-mix manufacturing environment
Experience collaborating with engineering on Design for Manufacturability (DFM) during early-stage sourcing

Nice To Haves

Experience working with actuators
Experience sourcing servo motors, harmonic drives, or planetary gearboxes
Familiarity with precision bearings, encoders, or force/torque sensors
Experience procuring lithium-ion battery cells/packs and BMS components
Background sourcing custom cable harnesses and connectors for high-flex, high-cycle applications
Experience with precision-machined, cast, or forged structural components
Experience with dual-sourcing or supply risk mitigation strategies for constrained/allocated components (e.g., semiconductors)
Familiarity with export control regulations (ITAR/EAR) relevant to robotics hardware
Experience with AS9100 or ISO 9001 supplier quality requirements
Experience sourcing from Taiwan/China electronics manufacturing ecosystems

Responsibilities

Design the supply chain organization structure from scratch, including strategic sourcing, procurement, planning, and logistics.
Develop strategy for supplier footprint, logistics, and warehousing to establish efficient, reliable, and repeatable delivery of product to Persona’s manufacturing site.
Establish process and metrics for supplier qualification to meet Persona’s demanding plan for scale.
Scrutinize suppliers' ability to repeatedly meet qualification levels as volume scales (Supplier Validation).
Develop and maintain vendor partnerships; create scorecards for evaluation of supplier performance; manage RFx processes (RFI, RFP, RFQ).
Establish a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and cross-functional collaboration.
Develop and execute a multi-year supply chain strategy aligned with business growth objectives.
Lead make-vs-buy decisions and “risk buy” requirements.
Implement an S&OP process.
Establish a warehousing strategy, including WMS selection, location, ownership, and logistics.
Establish and communicate KPIs via a data collection strategy.
Implement ISO certification and other industry compliance standards based on customer base and geographic locations (regulatory and compliance).
Execute purchase orders for materials, components, and supplies needed for robotics manufacturing operations.
Monitor and track all orders from placement through delivery, ensuring on-time receipt of materials.
Expedite parts as required to keep the product schedule on track.
Maintain optimal inventory levels, track stock levels, and coordinate with manufacturing to prevent shortages or excess inventory.
Negotiate contracts, pricing, and terms with existing and potential suppliers to optimize cost and delivery.
Analyze purchasing data and