Director of Procurement

Director of Procurement

San Jose, California 

About Recogni:
Artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming our world. It can perform cognitive functions that previously only humans could do, such as perceiving interactions across different environments with the ability to quickly learn and then solve complex problems. Recogni is a system solution company that specializes in the design of industry-leading high-performance, low-power AI inferencing. Our mission is to enable multimodal Generative AI inference acceleration at scale by providing safe, sustainable, high-performance AI-driven solutions for many markets. We are at the leading edge of advancing the latest research and product improvements for Al inference solutions that will make Al even more advantageous for compelling new applications. Recogni is a well funded, fast-paced startup company with headquarters in both San Jose, CA, and Munich, Germany. We also have many talented team members working remotely. We prioritize our employees' well-being and their families, aiming for a healthier, happier life inside and outside work. We value their contributions and offer tailored benefits for health and financial security, catering to different life stages. Our comprehensive benefits and competitive compensation, including flexible spending and Bonusly awards, reflect our commitment to a supportive and inspiring work environment.

The Opportunity:
As we scale rapidly, we are seeking an experienced and dynamic Director of Procurement to lead our procurement strategy and operations, specifically focusing on compute and networking products, electronic components, and manufacturing.

This role, reporting to the VP of Operations, offers an exciting opportunity to shape the procurement function at an AI startup, contributing directly to the company’s success by building and managing robust supplier networks and ensuring timely, cost-effective sourcing of critical components and services. If you are an experienced procurement leader with a background in compute and networking products, we encourage you to apply and join our innovative team.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Procurement Leadership:
   
   
• Develop and execute the global procurement strategy for hardware components, networking products, and other essential electronic materials for AI-driven products.
• Identify opportunities for cost savings, efficiency improvements, and enhanced supply chain resilience.
• Lead procurement for high-value and complex items, ensuring alignment with the company’s technological and operational goals.
2. Supplier Sourcing & Management:
   
   
• Source, qualify, and manage Tier 1 contract manufacturers and key suppliers globally to ensure consistent quality, availability, and competitive pricing.
• Maintain long-term strategic relationships with suppliers to support company growth and technological innovation.
• Establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and conduct quarterly business reviews (QBRs) for supplier performance, and ensure ongoing improvement.
3. Negotiation & Contract Management:
   
   
• Lead high-stakes negotiations with suppliers, focusing on cost, delivery schedules, terms, and conditions, while maintaining strong supplier partnerships.
• Oversee the drafting, review, and management of contracts with global suppliers and contract manufacturers to ensure compliance with company policies and industry standards.
• Resolve contract-related disputes and discrepancies as needed to ensure uninterrupted supply chain operations.
4. Global Sourcing of Electronic Components:
   
   
• Manage the global procurement of electronic components, including semiconductors, compute and networking equipment, and other hardware components, while mitigating risks associated with international supply chains.
• Stay abreast of global supply chain trends, technological developments, and market conditions to adapt sourcing strategies.
5. Team Leadership & Development:
   
   
• Lead and mentor the procurement team, developing their skills and capabilities to drive departmental and company success.
• Build a high-performance procurement team capable of executing complex sourcing and procurement activities in a fast-paced startup environment.
6. Cross-Functional Collaboration:
   
   
• Work closely with engineering, product development, and supply chain teams to ensure the seamless integration of procurement activities into the overall business strategy.
• Collaborate with finance to manage budgets and optimize procurement spend.
7. Risk Management & Supply Chain Optimization:
   
   
• Proactively assess and mitigate procurement risks, including supplier risks, geopolitical factors, and component shortages.
• Develop and maintain strategies for inventory management, lead times, and procurement flexibility in response to evolving product and business needs.

What you’ll bring:

• Experience:
  
  
• 15+ years of experience in procurement, supply chain, or operations management, with a strong focus on compute, networking, or electronic hardware products.
• Proven experience working with Tier 1 contract manufacturers and managing global supplier relationships.
• Demonstrated success in sourcing, negotiating, and managing supplier contracts for complex technology products.
• Expertise in sourcing and procurement of electronic components on a global scale, including experience with semiconductor and networking component markets.
• Skills:
  
  
• Advanced negotiation skills and a proven track record in contract management.
• Deep understanding of global supply chains and experience in risk mitigation.
• Strong leadership skills, with the ability to mentor and manage a high-performing team.
• Expertise in vendor management, supplier performance evaluation, and continuous improvement.
• Strong analytical skills with experience in cost modeling, market analysis, and data-driven decision-making.
• Education:
  
  
• Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field. MBA or equivalent advanced degree is a plus.
• Other Requirements:
  
  
• Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, rapidly changing startup environment.
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to interact with both internal teams and external suppliers at all levels.
• Willingness to travel globally as needed to manage supplier relationships and operations.

 

Recogni's culture was built on the following values:

• Put people first. We only succeed when our people succeed.
• Ethics and integrity always; Being open, honest, and respectful of everyone.
• Think Big. Be ambitious and have audacious goals.
• Aim for excellence. Quality and excellence count in everything we do.
• Own it and get it done. Results matter!
• Make each person better together, than they would be as an individual.
• Embrace each others’ differences, and embrace that there will be differences.

Recogni is an equal opportunity employer. We believe that a diverse team is better at tackling complex problems and coming up with innovative solutions. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, gender identity or expression, marital status, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, race, religion, pregnancy, sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances.

A note to Recruitment Agencies: Please don’t reach out to Recogni employees or leaders about our roles -- we’ve got it covered. We don’t accept unsolicited agency resumes and we are not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. Thank you for your understanding.