Technical Inventory and Procurement Specialist

Apptronik•Austin, TX

9h•Hybrid

About The Position

Apptronik is a human-centered robotics company developing AI-powered robots to support humanity in every facet of life. Our flagship humanoid robot, Apollo, is built to collaborate thoughtfully with people, starting with critical industries such as manufacturing and logistics, with future applications in healthcare, the home, and beyond. We operate at the cutting edge of embodied AI, applying our expertise across the full robotics stack to solve some of society's most important problems. You will join a team dedicated to bringing Apollo to market at scale, tackling the complex challenges like safety, commercialization, and mass production to change the world for the better. Job Summary Our department is the heart of our testing and development—a high-energy environment where hardware and software converge. We are seeking a Technical Procurement & Inventory Specialist to lead our supply chain efforts and manage the physical lifecycle of our robotic assets. This is a senior-level hybrid role designed for a strategic thinker who can balance high-level vendor negotiations with the hands-on organization of a technical lab. The role is a 50/50 split between Strategic Procurement and Advanced Inventory Management. As a senior member of the team, you will not only execute these tasks but also design the processes, select the tools, and mentor future junior-to-mid-level hires to ensure our operations scale with our technological ambitions.

Requirements

Proven track record of negotiating favorable terms with international vendors and managing high-value contracts.
Ability to read technical drawings and understand hardware specifications to ensure correct part sourcing.
Advanced proficiency in ERP/MRP software (e.g., NetSuite, Oracle, SAP) and data analysis tools (Excel/Google Sheets).
Experience designing workflows from scratch and a desire to mentor junior team members.
A proactive mindset capable of resolving complex logistics or sourcing challenges independently.
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
3+ years of experience in technical procurement and inventory management, ideally in robotics, aerospace, or high-tech manufacturing.
Experience in a high-growth startup or R&D environment is highly preferred.

Nice To Haves

Professional certifications (e.g., CPSM, CPIM) are a significant plus.

Responsibilities

Lead the procurement of VR hardware, manipulation items, environmentals, and additional equipment.
Identify and vet global suppliers. Negotiate pricing, and delivery schedules to ensure cost-efficiency and reliability.
Partner with Engineering leads to analyze complex Bills of Materials (BOMs), forecasting needs to prevent project bottlenecks.
Proactively identify supply chain vulnerabilities (e.g., product discontinuation) and develop alternative sourcing strategies.
Manage departmental spending, providing reports to Finance and Operations on project-specific hardware costs.
Design and maintain the physical layout and digital tracking systems for the department, ensuring 100% visibility of mission-critical assets.
Serve as the power-user for our ERP/MRP systems, optimizing workflows for kitting, tracking, and auditing.
Manage the high-level Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) process for expensive or mission-critical failures, escalating issues with vendor engineering teams as needed.
Develop Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for receiving, inspecting, and distributing hardware across the department.
Lead regular high-stakes inventory audits and implement cycle-counting programs to maintain data integrity.