Head of Supply Chain

Job description

ABOUT US Foundry Robotics is building an AI-native robotics manufacturing company focused on deploying advanced assembly and production capability for leading robotics companies and national-security-critical hardware. Basically, we're building robots that build robots. We are reimagining manufacturing through advanced robotics. Our mission is to rebuild the American manufacturing industry as an AI-first, assembly-focused, dual-use contract manufacturer. We aim to empower manufacturers with intelligent, efficient, and adaptable robotic systems that redefine productivity and quality. As a founding member of our engineering team, you will have a direct and significant impact on our product, culture, and ultimate success. This role is 100% in-person at our office in the mission, SF. THE ROLE This is a once-in-a-career opportunity to build the procurement and supply chain function of a modern factory from a blank sheet. You won’t inherit someone else’s broken systems or be told “that’s not how we do it here.” You get to design sourcing, supplier management, purchasing, and the ERP backbone the way it should be done. You will own supplier strategy, sourcing, purchasing, and supplier industrialization, building the processes, team, and systems where none exist. You will make core decisions across commodity strategy, supplier selection, cost, ERP, and how AI runs the function. You will hire excellent buyers and Supplier Industrialization Engineers (SIEs) and drive rapid improvement cycles that keep production supplied as we scale. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES - Define the procurement and supply chain strategy, operating model, processes, and KPIs for the whole function - Run sourcing and supplier management across mechanical, electrical, and electromechanical commodities: negotiate, award, and manage cost, continuity of supply, and risk - Deploy AI across the function to optimize sourcing, forecasting, spend analysis, supplier risk monitoring, and the team’s day-to-day workflows - Partner with engineering through NPI so supply, cost, and manufacturability are designed in, not bolted on - Stand up the supply chain function inside the ERP: item master, BOMs, transactions, supplier workflows, and reporting - Hire, train, and lead the team of buyers and Supplier Industrialization Engineers (SIEs) as the operation scales - Own the core metrics (landed cost, supplier quality, on-time delivery, lead time, supply risk) and the contingency plans that keep a secure supply base resilient - Collaborate cross-functionally with production, quality, engineering, and logistics to align supply with build schedules and demand WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR - 10+ years in supply chain, sourcing, procurement, or supplier engineering, including time leading people - Has built or scaled a function in a high-bar hardware environment (automotive, aerospace, drones, consumer electronics, or robotics) and carried products from NPI to volume production - Technically fluent: reads a drawing, understands manufacturing processes (CNC, sheet metal, injection molding, PCBA), and bridges engineering and commercial teams - Fluent with ERP/MRP systems and the data discipline that makes a supply chain scalable and auditable - Treats AI as a force multiplier and already uses it to do the job better - A sharp negotiator and clear communicator with suppliers, engineers, and executives alike, who makes smart decisions with imperfect information - A builder energized by ambiguity and ownership, who figures out how the job should be done rather than waiting to be told - Focused on driving autonomy and continuous improvement through agentic applications, and understands the future vision of agentic workflows NICE TO HAVE (NOT REQUIRED) - Experience selecting and rolling out an ERP system, not just operating an existing one - Background blending supplier industrialization / quality engineering with commercial sourcing - Familiarity with lean / 5S, Kanban, Six Sigma, or APICS; experience scaling from low-rate to high-volume production WHY JOIN US? This is one of the only places where world-class manufacturing operators, mechanical engineers, robotics researchers, and software engineers sit in the same room, building production systems together. We are committed to being deeply embedded in the U.S. industrial base. Our focus is simple: build adaptive robotic assembly systems that make American manufacturing scalable, resilient, and competitive again. The base salary range for this full-time position in the location of San Francisco is: $150,000 to $250,000 USD Compensation packages at Foundry Robotics for eligible roles include base salary, equity, and benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position, determined by work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, interview performance, and relevant education or training. Foundry Robotics employees in eligible roles are also granted equity based compensation, subject to Board of Director approval. You'll also receive benefits including, but not limited to: Comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage, and generous PTO.