Strategic Sourcing Specialist
Location: San Francisco, CA
Category: Software Development
Employment Type: Contract
Work Location: Remote
Job ID: 36255
Date Added: 07/29/2026
This role requires in-depth foundational NPI understanding from day one. Internal tools and specific operating procedures will be trained; core NPI concepts, EVT/DVT/PVT structure, and situational problem-solving will not be.
Core Responsibilities
Program & Schedule Ownership
Build, own, and maintain the master program schedule across EVT, DVT, PVT, and ramp milestones.
Independently structure and lead schedule/build reviews; identify slippage risk before it becomes critical.
Create and maintain detailed tracking artifacts (spreadsheets, dashboards, RAID logs) — this is hands-on execution, not delegated.
Technical / Hardware Depth
Understand server assembly processes, rack-and-stack integration, and system-level test/validation well enough to troubleshoot and make technical tradeoff calls with engineering.
Read and work from BOMs, engineering drawings, and build specs.
Coordinate SLT (system-level test), DFx, and qualification activities across builds.
Cross-Functional Execution
Drive alignment across engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and quality through each NPI gate.
Resolve day-to-day build blockers directly — pulling in the right people same-day rather than queuing issues for weekly syncs.
Sourcing Exposure (Not Ownership)
Work closely with sourcing/procurement to understand material readiness, long-lead risk, and supplier constraints as they affect the schedule.
Enough sourcing fluency to ask the right questions and flag risk early — not to run RFQs or own supplier negotiations.
Required Qualifications
3–7 years in hardware NPI program management, ideally in servers, cloud infrastructure, or data center hardware.
Demonstrated ability to independently own and drive a program schedule — not just contribute to one.
Working technical understanding of server/system assembly, rack-and-stack processes, and hardware test/validation.
Strong command of EVT/DVT/PVT structure and can speak fluently and specifically to how each phase was executed in past roles (this will be tested via situational interview questions).
Comfortable being hands-on with spreadsheets, schedules, and tracking tools daily — this is not a delegate-and-oversee role.
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field (or equivalent experience).
Preferred Qualifications
Experience specifically with cloud/server hardware programs (vs. other electronics categories).
Exposure to sourcing/procurement processes (RFQs, BOM cost tracking, supplier readiness) — as a collaborator, not as primary owner.
Lean Six Sigma, PMP, or similar certification.
Experience operating in high-bandwidth, fast-moving teams where you’re expected to lead without a long ramp period.
Comments for Suppliers: Job description is updated please review
