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Job Description:

Position: Commodity Lead, Robotics

Department: Supply Chain / Strategic Sourcing

Reports To: Senior Manager, Strategic Sourcing

Location: Fremont, CA (On-site)

Position Overview / Role Purpose

The Commodity Lead, Robotics serves as an experienced individual contributor responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for assigned robotics commodities supporting prototype, new product introduction (NPI), and production programs. This role owns supplier selection, commercial negotiations, supplier performance, cost optimization, and supply continuity activities while partnering closely with Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, Sales, and Product Management.

This role applies broad knowledge of strategic sourcing, supplier development, contract manufacturing, cost management, and supply chain risk mitigation to independently manage assigned commodity portfolios. The Commodity Lead exercises sound commercial judgment, evaluates sourcing alternatives, and balances cost, quality, lead time, technical capability, and risk when making recommendations and decisions.

The role serves as the primary sourcing partner for assigned commodities, influences cross-functional sourcing decisions, drives supplier performance improvements, and contributes to scalable sourcing processes that support Nextpower's robotics business.

Key Objectives

Own Commodity Strategy and Supplier Performance:
Develop and execute sourcing strategies that improve cost competitiveness, supplier performance, quality, delivery, innovation, and long-term supply continuity across assigned robotics commodities.

Drive New Product Introduction and Production Readiness:
Partner with Engineering and Operations throughout product development to ensure supplier engagement, manufacturability, material readiness, and successful product launches from prototype through production.

Deliver Commercial Value and Reduce Supply Risk:
Lead negotiations, cost optimization, market analysis, supplier development, and risk mitigation activities that strengthen total cost of ownership and supply chain resilience.

Scope & Impact

The Commodity Lead, Robotics independently owns sourcing strategy and supplier performance for assigned commodity portfolios supporting multiple robotics product lines. The role influences supplier selection, commercial terms, NPI readiness, cost reduction, supplier development, and supply continuity across domestic and international suppliers. Success is measured through cost competitiveness, supplier quality and delivery, launch readiness, risk mitigation, and the ability to influence cross-functional business decisions without formal people-management responsibility.

Core Responsibilities

Commodity Strategy & Supplier Management

Own strategic sourcing activities for assigned commodities, including mechanical, electrical, electromechanical, PCBAs, motors, sensors, batteries, machined parts, fabricated components, and purchased assemblies.

Develop and execute commodity strategies aligned with product roadmaps, business objectives, manufacturing requirements, and supply chain risk considerations.

Identify, qualify, evaluate, and onboard new domestic and international suppliers based on technical capability, capacity, quality, cost, delivery, financial stability, and business risk.

Lead RFQs, quotation analysis, supplier evaluations, commercial assessments, and supplier award recommendations.

Independently negotiate pricing, lead times, commercial terms, capacity commitments, and supply agreements within established authority levels.

Lead supplier business reviews, establish performance expectations, and drive corrective action plans addressing quality, delivery, responsiveness, and cost performance.

Contract Manufacturing

Serve as the sourcing lead for assigned contract manufacturing relationships supporting prototype, pilot, and production builds.

Coordinate commercial and supply readiness activities related to engineering changes, material availability, production schedules, capacity, and manufacturing transitions.

Develop supply continuity, capacity, and dual-source strategies that reduce operational and production risk.

Resolve complex supplier and material issues by balancing cost, schedule, quality, technical requirements, and customer commitments.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

Serve as the sourcing lead for assigned NPI programs from concept development through production launch.

Partner with Engineering to engage suppliers early and influence design decisions through supplier capability, manufacturability, lead-time, and cost input.

Lead supplier participation in Design for Manufacturability (DFM), Design for Cost (DFC), prototype builds, qualification activities, and production readiness reviews.

Develop and execute sourcing plans supporting Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), product transitions, and production ramp requirements.

Identify launch risks and coordinate cross-functional mitigation plans to ensure supplier readiness and continuity of supply.

Strategic Cost Management & Analytics

Develop should-cost models, total cost of ownership analyses, cost comparisons, supplier benchmarks, and negotiation strategies.

Identify and execute annual cost reduction opportunities through negotiations, value engineering, supplier transitions, process improvements, and commercial restructuring.

Analyze commodity markets, industry trends, tariffs, logistics costs, supply-demand conditions, and geopolitical risks to inform sourcing decisions.

Develop and maintain sourcing dashboards, supplier scorecards, executive reports, and cost models that support data-driven decision-making.

Utilize ERP systems and analytical tools such as Power BI, SQL, Python, Tableau, or VBA to improve sourcing visibility and effectiveness.

Supplier Development & Continuous Improvement

Lead supplier development initiatives that improve manufacturing capability, quality, delivery, scalability, responsiveness, and operational performance.

Conduct supplier capability assessments and partner with Quality and Engineering on qualification, corrective action, and improvement activities.

Identify opportunities to standardize supplier onboarding, sourcing processes, reporting, and performance management tools.

Develop scalable processes and recommendations that strengthen supply chain resilience, efficiency, and business continuity.

Cross-Functional Leadership

Serve as the primary sourcing advisor for assigned commodity portfolios and provide data-driven recommendations to business stakeholders.

Partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, Operations, Quality, Finance, Sales, and Product Management to balance technical requirements and commercial objectives.

Present sourcing strategies, supplier recommendations, commercial analyses, business risks, and mitigation plans to leadership.

Lead cross-functional sourcing initiatives supporting product launches, supplier transitions, cost optimization, and business growth.

Provide guidance and knowledge sharing to less experienced sourcing professionals as appropriate.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Operations, or a related discipline.

5+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, vendor management, supply chain, or manufacturing operations.

Or Masters degree in Supply Chain or related field plus 3 years of of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, vendor management, supply chain, or manufacturing operations.

Experience independently developing and executing sourcing or commodity strategies within a manufacturing environment.

Demonstrated experience leading supplier negotiations, supplier selection, and commercial decision-making.

Experience supporting new product introduction and engineering-driven manufacturing environments.

Strong analytical and financial modeling skills, including spend analysis, cost modeling, and total cost of ownership.

Experience managing supplier performance, supply continuity, and continuous improvement initiatives.

Ability to work cross-functionally and influence stakeholders without formal authority.

Excellent written, verbal, presentation, and project leadership skills.

Experience in robotics, automation, industrial equipment, automotive, electronics, or contract manufacturing preferred.

Experience sourcing PCBAs, sensors, motors, machined parts, fabricated components, batteries, or electromechanical assemblies preferred.

Experience with ERP systems, sourcing databases such as Panjiva, and analytics tools such as Power BI, SQL, Python, Tableau, or VBA preferred.

Skills & Competencies

Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Leadership

Strong knowledge of strategic sourcing, commodity strategy, supplier negotiations, contract management, supplier development, and supply risk management.

Ability to independently evaluate sourcing alternatives and balance cost, quality, delivery, technical capability, capacity, and business risk.

Ability to develop negotiation strategies, influence commercial outcomes, and make sound recommendations with limited guidance.

Technical & Analytical

Strong analytical capabilities including spend analysis, cost modeling, supplier benchmarking, market intelligence, and total cost of ownership.

Ability to interpret bills of material, engineering drawings, technical specifications, supplier proposals, and manufacturing processes.

Ability to translate complex data and market information into clear sourcing recommendations and business actions.

Collaboration & Communication

Strong verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate complex commercial and supply issues to technical and non-technical audiences.

Ability to influence internal and external stakeholders, including Engineering, Operations, Quality, Finance, suppliers, and senior leaders.

Ability to build trusted relationships, drive alignment, and preserve supplier and stakeholder partnerships during complex or sensitive situations.

Execution & Project Leadership

Ability to independently manage multiple commodities, sourcing initiatives, supplier issues, and stakeholder priorities.

Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to drive work from strategy through execution.

Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional workstreams, identify risk, develop mitigation plans, and deliver measurable business outcomes.

Nextpower offers a comprehensive benefits package. We provide health care coverage, dental and vision, 401(K) participation including company matching, company paid holidays with unlimited paid time off, generous discretionary company bonuses, life and disability protection and more. Employees in certain positions may be eligible for stock compensation. All plans are in accordance with relevant plan documents. For more information on Nextpower's benefits please view our company website at www.Nextpower.com

Pay is based on market location and may vary based on factors including experience, skills, education and other job-related reasons. The annual salary range for this position is $125,000 - $135,000 (Applicable to California)

At Nextpower, we are driving the global energy transition with an integrated clean energy technology platform that combines intelligent structural, electrical, and digital solutions for utility-scale power plants. Our comprehensive portfolio enables faster project delivery, higher performance, and greater reliability, helping our customers capture the full value of solar power. Our talented worldwide teams are redefining how solar power plants are designed, built, and operated every day with smart technology, data-driven insights, and advanced automation. Together, we're building the foundation for the world's next generation of clean energy infrastructure.

Nextpower is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees.