Buyer - Directs (Contract)

Humanoid; Cambridge (MA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Free breakfasts

Free lunches

Snacks

Team events

Job summary

Humanoid is hiring a Buyer - Directs to support operational procurement, P2P execution, and supplier communication across direct material categories. You will work with teams in London, Boston, and Vancouver to ensure continuity of supply and cost performance for Mechanical, Electronics, and Software commodities.

The role emphasizes tactical sourcing, supplier risk management, and collaboration with Engineering, Planning, and Quality teams to meet manufacturing needs.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of direct procurement experience in manufacturing, robotics, technology, aerospace/defense or automotive.
• Experience with scaling direct procurement functions.
• Knowledge of contract terms and negotiation frameworks.
• Awareness of export controls relevant to robotics and technology.

Responsibilities

• Conduct market research to identify cost-saving opportunities and price trends.
• Support sourcing initiatives including RFx processes, negotiations, and contract execution.
• Drive cost, lead-time, and efficiency improvements with KPIs.
• Capture business requirements and translate into commercial packages.
• Negotiate pricing, payment terms, lead times, and terms.
• Perform price analysis and cost breakdown validation for fair pricing.
• Process requisitions and POs per procurement policies.
• Maintain PO and supplier data in SAP and related systems.
• Resolve supplier performance issues and escalation processes.
• Communicate with internal stakeholders as appropriate.
• Conduct supplier risk assessments to minimize supply disruption.
• Support procurement process improvements and tooling.
• Deliver KPIs related to cost, cash, quality, and continuity of supply.
• Run MRP (SAP) to ensure timely availability of direct goods.

Skills

Procurement

Negotiation

Stakeholder Mgmt

MRP/ERP

Data analysis

SAP

Google Workspace

Slack

Education

Bachelor degree in Business, Law, Engineering

Tools

SAP

Google Workspace

Slack

Job description

Here at Humanoid, we believe in a future where robots amplify human potential. That’s why we’ve set out on a mission to build the world’s most capable, commercially-scalable, and safe humanoid robots. We’re bringing that mission to life with HMND‑01 Alpha - our rapidly developed humanoid platform now running in real industrial pilots - and we’re growing the team to take it even further.

About the Role

We are seeking a Buyer - Directs for an operational procurement role focused on P2P execution, supplier communication, and tactical sourcing support across Humanoid’s direct material commodity. The role supports the SCM Lead, you will partner with teams in London, Boston, and Vancouver in delivering continuity of supply, cost performance, and operational excellence across Mechanical, Electronics, Electromechanical, Cables & Harnessing, and Software commodities

What You’ll Do

• Conduct market research to identify cost‑saving opportunities and understand price trends and supply risks.
• Support sourcing initiatives, including RFx processes, negotiations, and contract execution.
• Drive cost, lead‑time, and efficiency improvements with measurable KPIs.
• Capture business requirements and translate them into clear commercial packages.
• Negotiate optimal commercial terms (pricing, payment terms, lead times, Ts & Cs).
• Conduct price analysis and cost‑breakdown validation to ensure fair and equitable pricing.
• Process requisitions and purchase orders in line with procurement policies.
• Maintain accurate PO and supplier data within SAP and associated systems.
• Resolve supplier performance issues, discrepancies and understand the escalation process
• Communicate to internal stakeholders as appropriate.
• Minimize risk to continuity of supply by carrying out supplier risk assessments for the portfolio’s suppliers and implementing corrective actions as required.
• Support continuous improvement of procurement processes, documentation, and tools.
• Deliver KPI’s relating to cost, cash, quality, service and continuity of supply for the commodity proposals.
• Run MRP (SAP) and ensure timely availability of direct goods and services.
• Experience of implementing Supplier Relationship Management techniques / tools with suppliers (RMMs, Score Cards, Monthly Performance Reviews (MPRs), Communications Plans, Risk Management, DnB report, Sanctions list etc.)
• Support Production, Engineering, Quality, and Planning teams to meet manufacturing needs.
• Directly support the SCM Lead in the regional area

This role supports the Commodity teams in sourcing activities but does not own commodity strategy or supplier selection decisions

What We’re Looking For

• 3+ years of direct procurement experience, ideally in manufacturing, robotics, technology, aerospace/defense or automotive.
• Proven experience working within scaling direct procurement functions.
• Degree in Business, Law, Engineering, or related field.
• APICS/ASCM CPIM or ISM-CPSM certification desirable.
• Strong understanding of contract law, commercial terms, and negotiation frameworks.
• Awareness of export controls (including EAR) relevant to robotics and technology.

Technical Skills

• Proficient in Google Workspace, Slack, and database management.
• Experience with MRP/ERP systems; SAP essential.
• Good analytical, numerical, and planning capabilities
• A good understanding of the Legal Aspects associated with contracting within the Robotics industry
• Procure-2-Pay and tactical procurement experience (Essential) across the following direct commodities pillars

Behavioral Skills

• Good negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder‑management skills.
• Ability to work cross‑functionally in a fast‑paced, engineering‑driven environment.
• Highly organized, adaptable, and able to manage shifting priorities.
• Professional, motivated, and able to operate autonomously.

What We Offer

• Competitive hourly rate, based on experience
• Office perks: free breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and regular team events
• Collaboration with top-tier engineers, researchers, and product experts in robotics
• Startup culture prioritizing speed, transparency, and minimal bureaucracy