Global Supply Manager - Commodity Expert

Targeted start date: Immediately. Relocation provided. 

Since its founding in 2015, 1X has been at the forefront of developing advanced humanoid robots designed for household use. Our mission is to create an abundant supply of labor via safe, intelligent humanoids.
We strive for excellence in all we do, solving some of the hardest problems in robotics with the world’s most talented individuals. Every part of our robots is designed and produced in-house—from motor coils to AI—reflecting our vertically integrated approach. At 1X, you’ll own real projects, be recognized for your achievements, and rewarded based on merit.
We believe the best work is done when collaborating and therefore require in-person presence in our office locations.

As we scale from research and development to full-scale manufacturing, we are looking for a highly skilled Global Supply Managers (GSMs) – Commodity Experts to drive strategic sourcing, supplier relationships, and cost optimization for key commodities essential to our robotics development. These roles will report directly to the Global Supply Chain Director and play a critical role in ensuring supply continuity, quality, and cost competitiveness in our rapidly evolving industry.

Each Global Supply Manager will specialize in a specific commodity area such as electronics, mechanical components, raw materials, batteries, sensors, or hardware. The ideal candidates will possess deep technical knowledge of their commodity, exceptional negotiation skills, and experience managing a global supplier network.

Key Responsibilities:

Commodity Strategy & Supplier Management

• Develop and execute a global sourcing strategy for assigned commodity categories, ensuring cost efficiency, quality, and supply reliability.

• Identify, qualify, and manage best-in-class suppliers, negotiating long-term agreements to secure competitive pricing, lead times, and capacity.

• Drive supplier performance management, including quality, delivery, and cost tracking, while ensuring alignment with company objectives.

• Analyze commodity market trends, geopolitical risks, and economic factors to proactively mitigate supply chain disruptions.

Supporting Engineering & R&D Development

• Partner closely with engineering, product development, and manufacturing teams to source and qualify new materials and components that align with performance and cost goals.

• Provide cost modeling and design-for-manufacturing (DFM) insights to optimize material selection and supplier processes.

• Work cross-functionally to accelerate product development cycles, ensuring rapid supplier engagement and material readiness for prototyping and production.

Risk Mitigation & Supply Chain Optimization

• Develop supply chain risk mitigation strategies, including multi-sourcing, regional diversification, and contingency planning.

• Lead efforts to localize supply chains and reduce dependencies on high-risk regions.

• Support the Global Supply Chain Director in shaping the company’s overall procurement and sourcing vision.

Cost Management & Negotiation

• Own total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis, including price benchmarking, supplier cost breakdowns, and cost-saving initiatives.

• Drive value engineering and cost-reduction programs, ensuring materials meet both performance and financial targets.

• Lead contract negotiations with suppliers to establish favorable terms on pricing, volume commitments, and intellectual property protections.

Requirements

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field; a Master’s degree is a plus.

• 5+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management, with a focus on commodity management in robotics, technology, or manufacturing industries.

• Expert knowledge of a specific commodity area (electronics, mechanical components, motors, batteries, sensors, or hardware).

• Experience partnering with engineering and R&D teams to support aggressive development cycles.

• Strong understanding of global trade regulations, tariffs, and geopolitical risks impacting supply chain operations.

• Familiarity with technical specifications and engineering development workflows.

• Ability to interpret technical documentation and assist engineers in identifying suitable components or materials.

• Proven track record in supplier negotiation, contract management, and cost optimization.

• Proficiency in supply chain analytics, ERP systems, and procurement tools.

• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to adapt to dynamic, high-growth environments.

Location Policy

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