Global Supply Manager (GSM), Robotic Actuation

Supply Chain Resources Group; San Francisco (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Supply Chain Resources Group is looking for a Global Supply Manager (GSM) for Robotic Actuation in San Francisco, California. The role focuses on advising clients on sourcing and negotiating relationships with global suppliers for electromechanical components.

Candidates should have over 5 years of experience in supply management and a strong background in hardware engineering. The position offers challenges in strategic sourcing, supplier performance management, and cross-functional execution.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in global supply management, strategic sourcing, or procurement.
• Deep technical understanding of electromechanical commodities.
• Proven track record of managing multi-million-dollar spend portfolios.

Responsibilities

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard global suppliers for actuation systems.
• Develop cost models and negotiate pricing with suppliers.
• Partner with engineering teams during the design phase for product alignment.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Negotiation

Supply chain management

Electromechanical components

Project management

Fluent in Mandarin

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related discipline

Job description

Global Supply Manager (GSM), Robotic Actuation

About Supply Chain Resources Group (SCRG)

Supply Chain Resources Group (SCRG) is the execution partner for the world's most innovative hardware companies. We help everyone from the biggest tech companies to the most promising start-ups design, implement, and manage their product manufacturing supply chain. SCRG provides manufacturing and supply chain advisory services, vendor management services, and highly skilled technical resources in the world's major manufacturing centers. From prototypes and early-stage New Product Introduction (NPI) to full high volume mass production, our teams bring speed, clarity, and control to complex global supply chains.

Role Overview

As a Global Supply Manager (GSM) for Robotic Actuation, you will advise and assist our clients—ranging from industry-leading OEMs to cutting-edge humanoid robotics startups—with end-to-end commercial and strategic relationships with global mechatronic suppliers. You will serve as the commercial leader for the actuation commodity, responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and ensuring the scaling of critical electromechanical components, including fully integrated rotary actuators, BLDC motors, linear actuators strain‑wave gearboxes, harmonic drives, high‑precision encoders, and integrated motor controllers.

You will bridge the gap between our client's hardware engineering teams and the global supply base, ensuring that advanced robotic actuators meet rigorous targets for cost, quality, and delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Selection: Identify, evaluate, and onboard global suppliers capable of manufacturing high‑precision robotic actuation systems. Lead the RFQ/RFP process and execute supplier capability audits alongside engineering and quality teams.
• Cost Management & Negotiation: Develop bottom‑up "should‑cost" models for complex mechatronic assemblies. Negotiate aggressive pricing, Master Supply Agreements (MSAs), Statements of Work (SOWs), and capacity investments to drive cost reductions throughout the product lifecycle.
• New Product Introduction (NPI): Partner closely with Mechanical, Electrical, and Systems Engineering teams during the DFM (Design for Manufacturing) phase to align component design with supplier capabilities, cost targets, and market availability.
• Capacity & Risk Management: Analyze supplier capacity constraints, secure long‑lead materials (e.g., rare earth magnets for motors, specialized bearings), and develop dual‑sourcing strategies to mitigate geopolitical and supply chain risks.
• Supplier Performance Management: Conduct regular Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and drive continuous improvement initiatives to increase yield, optimize cycle times, and ensure on‑time delivery (OTD) at the factory level.
• Cross‑Functional Execution: Act as the primary liaison between the client OEM and the contract manufacturers/Tier‑2 suppliers, resolving critical path escalations and ensuring smooth transitions from prototype builds (EVT/DVT) to Mass Production (MP).

Required Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in global supply management, strategic sourcing, or procurement, specifically within hardware, electronics manufacturing services (EMS), or robotics.
• Commodity Expertise: Deep technical understanding of electromechanical commodities, specifically motor technologies (BLDC, stepper), gearboxes (planetary, harmonic/strain‑wave), sensors (optical/magnetic absolute encoders), and related mechatronics.
• Commercial Acumen: Proven track record of structuring complex supplier agreements, managing multi‑million‑dollar spend portfolios, and negotiating capital expenditure (CapEx) for custom tooling and test equipment.
• Manufacturing Knowledge: Strong grasp of manufacturing processes related to actuation, including CNC machining of high‑tolerance parts, PCBA manufacturing for motor drives, and precision electromechanical assembly.
• Global Execution: Extensive experience collaborating with contract manufacturers (CMs) and Tier‑2 component suppliers across Greater China and global manufacturing hubs.
• Education: Bachelor's degree in Mechatronics Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• Fluency in Mandarin and English to effectively interface between international clients and regional suppliers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree (Master's in Engineering, Supply Chain Management or MBA)
• Prior experience navigating the complexities of high‑torque, low‑weight robotic joint requirements (e.g., for humanoid, industrial, or collaborative robots).
• Experience operating in an embedded‑client environment or delivering integrated supply chain solutions.