Lead Global Supply Manager - ECU

Lead Global Supply Manager - ECU Rivian - 2.7 Palo Alto, CA Job Details Full-time 4 hours ago Qualifications Inventory management systems New product introduction Supply chain risk management Supply chain management solutions (enterprise solutions) Vendor relationship management Data-driven problem-solving Project risk management Manufacturing company experience Procurement risk management Stakeholder relationship building Full Job Description The Rivian Supply Chain team is looking for highly motivated and strategic purchasing leaders to bring Rivian's engineered products to life. As a Lead Global Supply Manager, you are an advanced individual contributor and subject matter expert responsible for the strategic sourcing, supplier selection, and multi-generational lifecycle management for our vehicle programs, including R1, R2, R3, and Electric Delivery Vehicles. In this role, you lead the commercial relationship for our most complex domains, partnering closely with cross-functional leadership to architect the future of our innovative technical requirements. You act autonomously to manage several large projects with significant spend, navigating changing economic and political landscapes to prevent production risks. You are responsible for ensuring Rivian meets aggressive cost targets and timelines while solving systemic challenges that affect long-term project health. We are looking for an expert thinker who is passionate about optimizing the sourcing process and driving organizational stability through advanced negotiation and risk prevention. This role requires a candidate who thrives in ambiguous environments and can balance shifting priorities across three core pillars: ECU Ownership, ECU Subcomponent Material Management, and Business Relationship Management. The successful candidate will fluidly transition between these pillars focusing on one, two, or all three simultaneously to meet dynamic business needs. This position is based onsite either in Palo Alto, California or Irvine, California. This position reports to the Senior Manager of ECU Supply Chain team. Supplier Relationship Management, Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing, including

RFI/RFQ/RFP

processes and complex financial analysis of quotes. Concurrently lead several large projects with medium-high vehicle spend for ECUs or PCBAs. Drive the competitive bid process with little to no leadership direction and lead Director-level communications and reviews. Drive commercial negotiations (NDAs, PSAs, T&Cs, LTAs) to secure capacity, favorable terms, and aggressive cost reduction targets. Utilize cost estimation models to close "should cost" gaps and proactively mitigate risks. Negotiate most commercial terms with very limited legal involvement. Actively apply creative thinking in negotiations by utilizing non-monetary tradeoffs to achieve Rivian targets. Maintain strong relationships at the supplier Senior Management level. Drive accountability and resolve conflicts with minimal escalation while maintaining a robust understanding of sub-suppliers through raw materials. Program & Material Readiness Serve as the primary material point of contact for ECU components, owning the Clear to Build process for all build phases (Quick Turn, NPI, Mass Production) to ensure on-time availability. Proactively manage supply chain risks, including single-source dependencies and long-lead-time components, by executing robust mitigation plans and Risk Buy decisions. Partner with Engineering on component lifecycle stability, obsolescence management, and End-of-Life (EOL) planning. Optimize inventory levels at Contract Manufacturers to minimize Excess and Obsolete (E&O) material while maximizing financial efficiency. Lead large-scale projects with autonomy. Closely work with the supplier and cross-functional teams to gauge the need for PPVs and complete the supply chain risk analysis as needed. Analyse the sub-component supply risks pro-actively and actively engage in clearing out those risks. Operational & Stakeholder Management Collaborate cross-functionally to provide detailed forecasting and cost data, supporting long-term vehicle program planning. Build and maintain strong relationships with Tier 1 suppliers, monitoring performance against key supply chain and quality metrics. Proactively identify and implement supply chain system improvements to drive procurement speed and accuracy. Leverage industry knowledge to build strong internal and external relationships. Proactively communicate valuable information to stakeholders to mitigate risk and enable timely decision-making. Proactively identify and mitigate risks through detailed risk mapping and see resolutions through to completion. Work closely with the quality team to deliver the modules at expected quality levels.

Systems & Process :

Act as an expert user of supply chain systems to support business needs. Lead the onboarding and training of new team members to procurement systems.

Education:

Bachelor's degree (in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or a related field) or equivalent practical experience is required; a Master's degree (MBA or MS) is preferred.

Domain Expertise:

Significant experience managing end-to-end procurement lifecycles of ECUs or PCBAs with a proven ability to drive commodity strategies for next-gen platforms.

Domain Expertise:

Minimum 6 years of direct experience with Electronics Control Units (ECUs) or complex PCBA electronic assemblies, preferably within the Automotive (EV a strong plus) or High-Tech industries.

Technical Understanding:

Have a basic understanding of engineering and manufacturing aspects of the ECUs, PCBAs, and Semiconductors.

Supplier & Commercial Management:

Minimum 6+ years of relevant experience managing technical and commercial business relationships with large suppliers in an Automotive, Electronics, or high-volume manufacturing business.

Lifecycle Management:

Demonstrated expertise in managing materials across the entire product lifecycle: Quick Turn, NPI, and Mass Production.

Risk & Strategy:

Proven experience with "Risk Buy" strategies, executing alternative sourcing solutions, and using cost estimation models to identify risks and close "should-cost" gaps.

Operational & Technical Skills:

Proficient in ERP systems (SAP preferred). Experience working with Contract Manufacturers (CMs) in Asia, Europe, and North America. Ability to understand Engineering and Design direction to provide focused supply-chain solutions. Strong analytical ability to break down complex problems and data sets to derive actionable results. Ability to effectively use AI systems to avoid manual work.

Professional Skills:

Excellent negotiation, communication, and interpersonal skills with high integrity and a proactive, independent work style.

Travel:

Willingness to travel domestically and internationally up to 25% of the time.

Preferred Qualifications:

Certification in Supply Chain Management (e.g., CSCP, CPIM)