Global Supply Chain Manager

Mind Robotics•Palo Alto, CA

About The Position

We're building robots for industrial deployment that push the limits of what hardware can do and we need someone who's done this before in the trenches, not just observed it from a distance. You'll be part of building our supply chain from scratch, working shoulder-to-shoulder with our engineering team, and moving at a fast pace. If you've thrived in that environment before - and you're hungry to do it again - this role is for you.

Requirements

You've built supply chain at a startup before. You know what it means to operate without a playbook, move fast, and own outcomes end-to-end — not just manage a process someone else designed
Deep sourcing intuition — you understand supplier economics, manufacturing processes, and what drives cost at the component level
5+ years of experience in supply chain, procurement, or sourcing within hardware-intensive industries such as robotics, industrial automation, consumer electronics, aerospace, or automotive
Direct experience sourcing across multiple commodity categories — electromechanical components (motors, actuators), PCBs/PCBAs, injection-molded parts, machined metals, cameras/sensors, or connectors
Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as injection molding, die-casting, MIM, CNC machining, and SMT assembly
Strong negotiation skills with a track record of achieving competitive pricing and favorable terms with both domestic and international suppliers
Experience managing the transition from prototype/NPI builds to volume production, including tooling qualification and first-article inspection processes
Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, 3D models, and technical specifications well enough to contribute meaningfully in design reviews and supplier technical discussions
You thrive in ambiguity, default to urgency, and have the drive to build — not just maintain

Nice To Haves

Experience working with Chinese, Japanese, or Korean suppliers and contract manufacturers is a strong plus

Responsibilities

Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers for motors (BLDC, stepper, servo), custom PCBs/PCBAs, injection-molded parts, CNC-machined components, cameras, connectors, and cable assemblies
Own the full procurement cycle — issue quotes, negotiate piece pricing and tooling costs, and execute NDAs, supply agreements, and purchase orders
Build and maintain should-cost models across key commodities to drive cost reduction through competitive bidding, DFM feedback, and supplier consolidation
Source components and work closely with machine shops, CMs, and CEMs to ensure parts are manufactured and shipped to spec and on time
Develop and manage the supply chain readiness plan to move from low-volume prototype builds (10s of units) to initial production runs (100s–1,000s of units)
Track supplier lead times, tooling timelines, and open items across all commodities using program management tools
Manage ongoing supplier performance — partnerships, business reviews, dispute resolution, and corrective action plans
Coordinate inbound logistics from domestic and international suppliers, managing inventory levels to balance carrying cost against schedule risk
Identify single-source dependencies, long-lead-time components, and geopolitical risks; develop mitigation strategies including dual-sourcing and alternate qualification plans
Work hand-in-hand with mechanical, electrical, firmware, and industrial design teams — providing sourcing input on component selection, alternate parts, and make-vs-buy decisions early enough to actually influence outcomes