Procurement Manager

Diraq • Santa Monica, CA

2h • Onsite

About The Position

Diraq is seeking its first Procurement Manager to establish a practical, scalable procurement function for the United States and work effectively with colleagues and suppliers across its global organization. The role will set procurement strategy, design operating processes, and remain involved in execution to ensure equipment, materials, and services arrive when needed. It will partner with engineering, research, operations, finance, facilities, IT, legal, and project teams to support technical programs, strengthen the supplier ecosystem, and make procurement a business enabler.

The Procurement Manager will build the function from the ground up, leading procurement governance, strategic sourcing, commercial negotiations, purchasing operations, reporting, supplier management, and supply-chain resilience. The role supports technical equipment, laboratory needs, facilities, IT, professional services, capital projects, offices, and infrastructure. It is based in Diraq’s new office space in LA and offers the opportunity to work with scientists, engineers, and business leaders in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

Requirements

• At least 7 years of progressive experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, supply chain, or commercial management.
• Experience building or materially improving procurement frameworks, policies, and governance.
• Strong supplier evaluation, commercial negotiation, and contract-management capability.
• Experience influencing technical and non-technical stakeholders across functions and locations.
• Sound analytical judgment and ability to turn spend, risk, and supplier data into action.
• Hands-on, organised approach in a fast-moving environment, supported by clear communication and relationship skills.

Nice To Haves

• Experience in deep technology, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing, hardware, research, or another technically complex environment.
• Experience sourcing laboratory, cryogenic, RF, electronics, fabrication, test, or specialised engineering equipment.
• Knowledge of global logistics, freight, customs, and import/export coordination.
• Experience implementing procurement technology, purchasing workflows, or supplier-management tools.
• Exposure to government-funded programs, grants, regulated environments, or audit requirements.
• Relevant certification such as CPSM, CPSD, C.P.M., or an equivalent credential.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement a fit-for-purpose US procurement operating model, governance, policies, approval pathways, and controls.
• Create procurement playbooks, templates, and guidance for internal teams.
• Establish procurement reporting, spend visibility, and scalable supplier-management frameworks.
• Develop category and sourcing strategies across technical equipment, laboratory needs, facilities, IT, professional services, and capital projects.
• Lead market assessments, supplier discovery, RFPs, RFQs, tenders, and supplier selection.
• Evaluate suppliers for technical fit, total cost, delivery, quality, risk, compliance, and partnership potential.
• Negotiate price, service levels, lead times, delivery terms, warranties, risk allocation, and contractual protections.
• Partner with legal, finance, and business stakeholders on agreements, renewals, and contract governance.
• Identify cost, cash-flow, efficiency, and risk-reduction opportunities while protecting technical outcomes.
• Own the purchasing lifecycle from demand planning and requisition through purchase order, receipt, and payment coordination.
• Support complex and time-sensitive purchases for technical programs, laboratories, offices, and infrastructure.
• Track procurement activity, commitments, and metrics to support budgeting, forecasting, and informed decisions.
• Coordinate domestic and international freight, shipping, and logistics with internal teams and external providers.
• Partner with internal specialists on customs, import/export, and trade-compliance requirements.
• Monitor lead times, supplier concentration risk, obsolescence, and other supply risks, and develop practical mitigation plans.

Benefits

• Competitive compensation.
• Benefits.
• Equity participation opportunities, subject to role level and applicable plan terms.
• Work in Diraq’s brand-new office space in LA.
• Opportunity to build a mission-critical function from the ground up and shape procurement as the organisation scales.
• Work alongside scientists, engineers, and business leaders in a collaborative, mission-driven environment.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Manager
• Education Level: No Education Listed