What You'll DoVention is seeking an execution-oriented Director of Procurement to lead global supplier management, and cost optimization initiatives across our rapidly growing hardware platform. This role will play a critical part in improving gross margins, strengthening supply chain resiliency, and scaling procurement operations to support Vention's continued global expansion.
The ideal candidate combines a deep technical understanding of manufacturing and industrial components with world-class commercial negotiation capabilities. They are equally comfortable building should-cost models, negotiating complex supplier agreements, analyzing global commodity trends, and partnering cross-functionally with engineering, finance, and operations teams to drive measurable business outcomes.
This role requires a hands-on leader capable of operating at both strategic and tactical levels within a fast-paced, high-growth industrial technology environment.
Roles & Responsibilities
- Lead Vention's annual cost reduction program in close collaboration with the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Supply Chain Officer, with clear savings targets tied to gross margin improvement
- Develop top-down and bottom-up cost reduction roadmaps across key spend categories including fabricated metal parts, PCBAs, wire harnesses, motors, electromechanical assemblies, and logistics.
- Identify and execute cost reduction levers including supplier negotiations, strategic sourcing, dual-sourcing, SKU rationalization, specification optimization, value engineering, and design-for-manufacturing (DFM).
- Partner cross-functionally with engineering, operations, manufacturing, and finance teams to embed cost competitiveness into product design and sourcing decisions.
- Build comprehensive supplier negotiation strategies and fact packs leveraging a 360-degree supplier performance view including pricing trends, quality performance, on-time delivery, lead times, responsiveness, and total cost of ownership.
- Develop should-cost models across key commodities, manufacturing processes, and assemblies to support negotiations and benchmark supplier competitiveness.
- Establish procurement analytics, dashboards, and executive reporting mechanisms to track savings realization, supplier performance, commodity exposure, and procurement KPIs.
- Improve and standardize Vention's Master Supply Agreement (MSA) framework, ensuring appropriate commercial, legal, quality, delivery, and IP protections are implemented across critical suppliers.
- Support supplier selection, qualification, and annual audit processes for mission-critical suppliers, including risk assessment and mitigation planning.
- Monitor global commodity pricing trends (e.g., aluminum, copper, steel, electronics components) and proactively identify sourcing risks and opportunities.
- Drive procurement process maturity, governance, and operational excellence initiatives to support rapid company growth and global scale.
What You Bring to the Table- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, or a related technical field.
- 8+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, supply chain, or cost engineering within industrial automation, robotics, electronics, or manufacturing environments.
- Proven track record negotiating complex global multi-million-dollar supply agreements with sophisticated suppliers and contract manufacturers.
- Strong analytical and financial acumen, with the ability to independently develop negotiation fact packs, spend analyses, cost variance analyses, and business cases.
- Deep expertise in should-cost modeling across key manufacturing processes including machining, sheet metal fabrication, injection molding, PCB assembly, cable assembly, and electromechanical systems.
- Strong understanding of global supply markets, commodity pricing dynamics, and manufacturing economics.
- Experience managing suppliers across North America, Europe, and Asia, including familiarity with international sourcing and contract structures.
- Comfortable operating in both strategic and hands-on environments within a fast-growing company.
- Excellent communication, negotiation, and executive presentation skills.
- Strong project management and cross-functional leadership capabilities.
- Comfortable leveraging a broad range of negotiation approaches, from collaborative partnership models to highly competitive commercial negotiations.
What We Offer- Career pathing: Real opportunities to grow through personalized development plans, bi-annual employee reviews, and mentorship program
- Professional development: Continuous training in performance management, inclusive leadership, leadership operating model, team building, and giving/receiving feedback
- Gender diversity & inclusion: Pay equity reviews, inclusive policies, and a Women's Employee Resource Group offering networking, mentorship, and quarterly learning sessions.
- Hybrid work: Enjoy flexibility with our hybrid model, allowing you to work from home on select days.
- Community engagement: Two paid volunteering days per year to give back to causes you care about.
- Team events: All year round employee events including annual kick-off, employee summit, quarterly happy hours, and department events.
- Comprehensive benefits: A complete group benefits plan for you and your family that start day one.
- Top-up and benefits for new parents: Additional financial support and resources to support employees during their transition to parenthood.
What to Expect in Your Interview- Initial Call
- Meet the Team
- Case or take-home interview
- Decision & Offer
