Global Supply Chain Manager

Mind Robotics; Palo Alto (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Mind Robotics in Palo Alto is seeking a Supply Chain Manager to identify and onboard suppliers for various components, owning the RFQ cycle from quotes to agreements. Ideal candidates will have over 5 years of sourcing experience in hardware-intensive sectors and demonstrate strong negotiation skills. Responsibilities also include managing supply chain readiness from prototypes to initial production runs, ensuring all components meet specifications and timelines.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in supply chain, procurement, or sourcing roles.
• Strong negotiation skills with suppliers.
• Experience managing transition from prototyping to volume production.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers for mechanical and electronic components.
• Own the full RFQ cycle including quotes and agreements.
• Develop and manage the supply chain readiness plan.

Skills

Supplier economics understanding

Negotiation skills

Experience in hardware-intensive industries

Cross-functional collaboration

Ability to interpret technical specifications

Job description

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard suppliers for motors (BLDC, stepper, servo), custom PCBs/PCBAs, injection‑molded parts, CNC‑machined components, cameras, connectors, and cable assemblies

• Own the full RFQ cycle — issue quotes, negotiate piece pricing and tooling costs, and execute NDAs, supply agreements, and purchase orders

• Build and maintain should‑cost models across key commodities to drive cost reduction through competitive bidding, DFM feedback, and supplier consolidation

• Source components and work closely with machine shops, CMs, and CEMs to ensure parts are manufactured and shipped to spec and on time

• Develop and manage the supply chain readiness plan to move from low‑volume prototype builds (10s of units) to initial production runs (100s–1,000s of units)

• Track supplier lead times, tooling timelines, and open items across all commodities using program management tools

• Manage ongoing supplier performance — scorecards, business reviews, dispute resolution, and corrective action plans

• Coordinate inbound logistics from domestic and international suppliers, managing inventory levels to balance carrying cost against schedule risk

• Identify single‑source dependencies, long‑lead‑time components, and geopolitical risks. Develop mitigation strategies including dual‑sourcing and alternate qualification plans

• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams (mechanical, electrical, firmware, industrial design) to provide sourcing input on component selection, alternate parts, and make‑vs‑buy decisions

Qualifications

• Deep sourcing intuition. You understand supplier economics, manufacturing processes, and what drives cost at the component level

• 5+ years of experience in supply chain, procurement, or sourcing roles within hardware‑intensive industries such as robotics, consumer electronics, aerospace, or automotive

• Direct experience sourcing across multiple commodity categories — electromechanical components (motors, actuators), PCBs/PCBAs, injection‑molded parts, machined metals, cameras/sensors, or connectors

• Familiarity with manufacturing processes such as injection molding, die‑casting, metal injection molding (MIM), CNC machining, and SMT assembly

• Strong negotiation skills with a track record of achieving competitive pricing and favorable terms with both domestic and international suppliers

• Experience managing the transition from prototype/NPI builds to volume production, including tooling qualification and first‑article inspection processes

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, 3D models, and technical specifications well enough to engage in design reviews and supplier technical discussions

• Experience working with Chinese, Japanese, or Korean suppliers and contract manufacturers is a strong plus

• You are comfortable with ambiguity, move fast, and have the operational drive to build a supply chain function from scratch — not just maintain one