Role Summary

The Rivian Purchasing & Supply Chain team is looking for a highly analytical and results-driven Senior Program Manager to drive critical strategic initiatives that shape our purchasing and commercial strategies. Reporting directly to the Director of Global Supply Management, you will pivot away from traditional part procurement to lead complex, cross-functional programs focused on financial optimization, cross-commodity data analysis, and commercial strategy enhancement.

In this role, you will serve as a strategic partner to purchasing leadership and global supply managers. You will build and leverage advanced data models to conduct robust cost estimate analyses, synthesize complex supplier quotes, and construct data-backed negotiation strategies. Your work will directly impact Rivian's bottom line, driving visibility into "should-cost" models and refining how our purchasing organization evaluates commercial opportunities.

This onsite position is located onsite in Irvine, California and reports to the Director of Global Supply Management (Interiors & Exteriors).

Responsibilities

• Strategic Initiative Program Management: Concurrently manage high-impact, cross-functional purchasing initiatives reporting directly to the Purchasing Director. Drive execution on key strategic milestones, process improvements, and executive-level reporting across vehicle programs.
• Cost Estimate & Financial Analysis: Conduct deep-dive cost estimate analyses and build analytical models to evaluate supplier quotes, cost breakdown structures (CBDs), and raw material cost drivers. Translate complex financial inputs into actionable commercial insights.
• Negotiation Strategy & Should-Cost Modeling: Partner with Global Supply Managers to develop data-driven negotiation strategies. Utilize should-cost outputs, market trends, and parametric cost models to identify commercial gap opportunities and equip teams for high-stakes supplier negotiations.
• Supplier Quote Synthesis & RFQ Frameworks: Standardize and optimize the RFQ data analysis process. Benchmark supplier proposals across commodities to identify pricing anomalies, cost-reduction leverage points, and total cost of ownership (TCO) impact.
• Systems & Data Analytics: Build, refine, and maintain analytical tools, dashboards, and databases to track program progress, cost-saving initiatives, and spend metrics. Identify gaps in system functionality and improve data accuracy across purchasing systems.
• Stakeholder & Leadership Alignment: Act as the strategic connective tissue between Purchasing, Finance, Cost Engineering, and Vehicle Systems Engineering. Regularly present initiative statuses, commercial risk assessments, and financial trade-off proposals to executive leadership.
• Risk Mitigation & Benchmarking: Monitor automotive macroeconomic trends, technology landscapes, and supply market dynamics. Proactively identify financial and commercial risks, developing analytical frameworks to mitigate cost exposure.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor's degree in Finance, Supply Chain Management, Economics, Data Analytics, or a related quantitative field required.
• Automotive Domain Expertise: 3+ years of technical program management, supply chain, or strategic procurement experience within the automotive industry (OEM or Tier 1 supplier).
• Data & Financial Analysis: Proven background in advanced data analytics, financial modeling, and cost structure breakdown. Demonstrated skill in turning raw commercial data into strategic negotiation insights.
• Strategic Sourcing Knowledge: Strong foundational knowledge of purchasing processes, supplier quote evaluation, RFQ/RFP structures, and commercial negotiation mechanics.
• Technical & Tools Proficiency:
• Advanced proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel/VBA, Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or Python).
• High efficiency in leveraging modern AI tools and data platforms (e.g., Gemini, Claude, Glean, and Databricks) to accelerate analytical workflows and cross-functional data synthesis.
• Familiarity with enterprise supply chain and ERP tools (e.g., SAP) and cost estimation frameworks.
• Communication & Influence: Exceptional presentation and interpersonal skills. Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams, synthesize complex data into executive summaries, and collaborate directly with leadership.
• Operational Style: Self-starter who thrives in high-ambiguity environments; capable of managing complex, unstructured strategic initiatives with limited guidance.
• Travel Requirements: Willingness to travel as needed based on business demands (expected average: 10-25%).

Pay Disclosure

The salary range for this role is $107,800 - $134,800 for Irvine, CA based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee's position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs.

The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards.

We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian's 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com.

You can apply for this role through careers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than October 9, 2026.