Staff Global Supply Manager - Indirect

Aurora Innovation•San Francisco, CA

3d•$147,000 - $236,000•Hybrid

About The Position

Aurora is seeking a Staff Global Supply Manager - Indirect, a mid-level contributor role responsible for managing end-to-end strategic sourcing across Aurora's indirect spend portfolio. This role is part of a team of six individuals who provide primary procurement support for Engineering, Finance, Legal, IT, HR, and other key business functions. The ideal candidate will thrive in an ambiguous environment, apply structured thinking to complex negotiations, and demonstrate a proven ability to deliver measurable value in high-growth technology settings.

Requirements

10+ years of strategic sourcing or procurement experience, with a strong focus on software/SaaS and at least one other major indirect commodity such as professional services, IT hardware, or contingent labor.
Demonstrated success managing complex, multi-stakeholder negotiations and delivering measurable cost savings or value improvements.
Strong analytical skills, including experience with cost modeling, should-cost analysis, and total cost of ownership (TCO) frameworks.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with a proven ability to develop and deliver presentations for financial and executive audiences.
Experience operating in fast-paced, high-growth technology companies with evolving and ambiguous procurement needs.
Outstanding stakeholder management skills and demonstrated ability to influence cross-functionally at all levels of the organization.
Solid understanding of contract law fundamentals, including SaaS agreement structures, MSAs, SOWs, and NDAs.
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, or a related field.

Nice To Haves

Experience with ERP and eProcurement platforms such as Coupa, NetSuite, and Jira.
Familiarity with the autonomous vehicle, robotics, or advanced technology hardware/software ecosystem.
CPSM, CSCP, or equivalent professional procurement certification.
Exposure to global procurement operations across multiple regions (North America, EMEA, APAC).
Experience implementing or optimizing a procurement technology stack in a scaling organization.

Responsibilities

Lead end-to-end procurement for indirect categories including enterprise software, SaaS, professional services, IT, and contingent workforce, negotiating complex agreements to secure best-in-class terms while protecting Aurora's interests.
Establish and own global sourcing strategies that balance cost, risk, quality, and speed to market. Develop cost models and lead competitive RFx processes (RFI, RFP, RFQ) to drive standardization and spending discipline across the organization.
Manage a portfolio of indirect spend categories with a focus on scalability, ensuring procurement infrastructure keeps pace with Aurora's growth trajectory.
Serve as a trusted strategic advisor to internal stakeholders across Engineering, Finance, Legal, IT, and People teams, aligning procurement strategy with business priorities.
Partner closely with Legal on contract review, risk mitigation, and compliance to ensure all agreements meet Aurora's regulatory, security, and operational standards.
Translate complex procurement decisions into clear, executive-ready communications and present recommendations to senior and financial leadership.
Champion procurement best practices and change management across business units to drive adoption of standardized processes and tools.
Build and manage a healthy supplier ecosystem by conducting structured Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and establishing KPIs that track performance, quality, and compliance.
Proactively identify and mitigate supplier risks, including single-source dependencies, geopolitical exposure, and financial stability concerns.
Cultivate long-term strategic partnerships with key vendors, enabling suppliers to grow in alignment with Aurora's evolving needs.
Drive continuous improvement initiatives to streamline procurement workflows, reduce cycle times, and enhance internal customer experience.
Ensure all procurement activity is conducted in compliance with Aurora's policies, ethical sourcing standards, and applicable regulations.
Support the development and maintenance of procurement playbooks, contracting templates, and supplier onboarding documentation.
Leverage ERP and procurement systems to manage purchase orders, track spend, and generate actionable reporting and insights.