Supply Chain Category Specialist

Path Robotics•Columbus, OH

About The Position

At Path Robotics, we’re building the future of embodied intelligence. Our AI-driven systems enable robots to adapt, learn, and perform in the real world closing the skilled labor gap and transforming industries. We go beyond traditional methods, combining perception, reasoning, and control to deliver field-ready AI that is risk-aware, reliable, and continuously improving through real-world use. Big, hard problems are our everyday work, and our team of intelligent, humble, and driven people make the impossible possible together. As a Supply Chain Category Specialist, you will manage supplier related activities, including ongoing sourcing, on-time supply, supplier relationships, escalations, cost, contracts, POs, and component strategy.

Requirements

5+ years of experience in supply chain, sourcing, or procurement for hardware or manufacturing environments
Experience sourcing electromechanical or industrial components and supporting products from prototype through mass production
Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and DFM principles
Proven ability to run RFQs, build should-cost models, and drive cost reductions through negotiation
Experience managing supplier capacity, quality, and ramp during NPI and production scaling
Working knowledge of global supply chains, incoterms, tariffs, and logistics
Strong cross-functional collaboration and program management skills
Highly organized, data-driven, and comfortable operating in fast-paced, ambiguous environments
Proficient in Excel/Google Sheets and ERP systems (NetSuite a plus)

Responsibilities

Sourcing: Align internal requirements to source new suppliers, materials, and services that meet Path’s goals on specs, supply, quality, and cost. This includes aligning the needs from leadership, engineering, operations, finance and other teams, then driving cost through a combination of RFQs, should cost modeling, and negotiations, then aligning the sourcing decision with cross functional teams.
DFM support: Review supplier proposals on manufacturing processes, testing, quality verification, reliability testing, etc to ensure the production of best in class components.
Program management: Drive and track internal validation process across all relevant teams, from engineering, production, deployment, and fleet, from RFQ to mass production.
Supply: Ensure supplier’s capacity and supply continuously meets internal demand. This includes ongoing supplier reviews on their capacity, production, quality, shipping status to ensure that their supply meets the issued forecasts, along with managing internal alignment on latest supply availability.
Procurement: Manage POs and invoicing. This includes closing any issues or changes in supplier onboarding, part numbers, cost, incoterms, quantity, PO internal approvals, and order receipts.
Contracts and documentations: Negotiate all necessary contracts including MSA, SOWs, and others. Support documentation needs on tariffs, regulatory, and certifications compliance.
Component strategy: Lead cross functional alignment on component strategy, including strategies on driving cost, multi-sourcing, vertical integration, in-house vs out-source analysis, latest market technology and trends, roadmaps, etc.

Benefits

Daily free lunch to keep you fueled and connected with the team
Flexible PTO so you can take the time you need, when you need it
Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage
6 weeks fully paid parental leave, plus an additional 6–8 weeks for birthing parents (12–14 weeks total)
401(k) retirement plan through Empower
Generous employee referral bonuses—help us grow our team!

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