Sr. Director, Indirect Procurement

About the role

D Matrix is seeking a Senior Director, Indirect Procurement to own and scale our indirect and corporate procurement function in a high-growth AI infrastructure startup. This individual-contributor role focuses on unlocking commercial leverage and operational excellence across IP and software licensing, consulting and professional services, engineering lab equipment, and corporate services. The hire will architect and execute procurement strategies that balance aggressive innovation timelines with rigorous cost control and risk management. They will partner closely with Engineering, Legal, and Finance to ensure vendor capabilities keep pace with our evolving AI inference hardware roadmap. Success is defined by favorable contract terms, resilient supplier relationships, and seamless integration of procurement processes into the broader technology lifecycle. The role demands comfort with ambiguity and a bias for action in a fast-paced environment where procedures are built as much as followed. Ultimately, this leader will establish the indirect procurement function as a strategic catalyst for D Matrix's transformation of technology.

Key facts

What you'll do

Architect and implement indirect procurement strategies, policies, and governance frameworks that cover IP licensing, professional services, lab hardware, and corporate overhead while aligning with D Matrix's aggressive product development cycles.

Lead end-to-end RFQ and RFP processes for semiconductor EDA tools, hardware vendors, and consulting firms, conducting rigorous competitive evaluations based on cost, quality, risk, and strategic alignment with tape-out schedules.

Negotiate and manage complex IP license agreements with key vendors such as Synopsys, Cadence, Ansys, and Arm, including royalty structures, per-unit pricing, and MFN provisions to secure optimal commercial terms.

Administer software license agreements, monitor entitlements and usage, and coordinate renewals to ensure continuous tool access while optimizing spend and avoiding audit risk.

Source, evaluate, and contract engineering consulting and professional services firms, including offshore and nearshore providers, establishing MSA and SOW frameworks and benchmarking rates for specialized technical expertise.

Manage temporary staffing and contractor engagements in collaboration with HR and Legal, ensuring compliance and alignment with project resourcing needs across critical development milestones.

Procure and manage engineering lab hardware for AI inference development, including servers, GPUs, FPGAs, test cards, and rack infrastructure, as well as test and measurement equipment from vendors such as Keysight and Tektronix.

Oversee capital equipment workflows in NetSuite, handling approvals, asset tagging, depreciation scheduling, and disposition processes to maintain accurate financial and operational records.

Coordinate closely with Engineering and Lab Operations to forecast hardware requirements against project timelines, mitigating supply risks that could delay bring-up or verification activities.

Manage procurement for corporate services including facilities, IT equipment, SaaS platforms, insurance, and travel, supporting related vendor agreements for movers, contractors, and facilities contractors in coordination with Finance and Facilities.

Drive proactive compliance with trade regulations, export controls, and ethical sourcing standards across all indirect and corporate spend categories, mitigating legal and reputational risk.

Leverage spend analytics and supplier performance scorecards to identify cost reduction opportunities, consolidate vendors, and negotiate volume-based discounts across diverse supplier ecosystems.

Serve as a trusted business partner to Engineering, Finance, Legal, and HR, aligning procurement timelines with project milestones and providing subject matter expertise on commercial contracts.

Establish scalable procurement processes and tools, including Zip and NetSuite workflows, ensuring transparency, auditability, and efficiency as D Matrix scales its operations.

Requirements

Hold a Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, or a related discipline; an MBA is preferred for strategic roles with cross-functional impact.

Possess CPSM, CSCP, or CPIM certification as a validated indicator of procurement mastery and commitment to professional excellence in complex environments.

Bring 7 or more years of progressive procurement experience, with demonstrated impact across at least two of the following domains: IP/software licensing, engineering services contracting, and hardware or capital equipment procurement.

Have a proven background in semiconductor, AI hardware, or high-tech electronics, where familiarity with EDA toolchains and IP licensing models directly informs procurement decisions.

Showcase the ability to negotiate complex commercial agreements, including royalty arrangements, limitation-of-liability clauses, and field-of-use restrictions in partnership with legal counsel.

Demonstrate experience managing international vendor relationships, including cross-border contracting, customs documentation, and import/export compliance requirements.

Have hands-on experience with procurement and ERP systems, with NetSuite and Zip experience strongly preferred to ensure accurate financial controls and operational reporting.

Maintain strict adherence to D Matrix's culture of respect, collaboration, and direct communication, embracing humility and diverse perspectives to arrive at better solutions.

Be driven by execution in a fast-paced startup environment, balancing long-term strategic planning with the urgent demands of product development and tape-out cycles.

Nice to have

Experience in AI hardware or semiconductor startups where procurement decisions directly influence product development velocity and competitiveness.

Demonstrated success in cost reduction initiatives that involve renegotiation, consolidation, and strategic use of volume leverage across multi-vendor landscapes.

Familiarity with security IP, embedded memory, and processor licensing models to engage more effectively with technical stakeholders and legal teams.

Background in managing temporary staffing and professional service engagements under MSA and SOW structures with clear milestone tracking and rate benchmarking.

Ability to coordinate with Finance on lease-related vendor agreements, including movers, contractors, and furniture, finish, and equipment (FF&E) in alignment with corporate policies.

Practical notes

This is an individual-contributor, full-time position based in Santa Clara.

The role involves moderate travel to vendor sites, partner offices, and industry events as required to fulfill sourcing and negotiation objectives.

Candidates must be eligible to work in the country where the role is based without sponsorship at this time.