Strategic Sourcing Manager

About the role

The Strategic Sourcing Manager will own the end-to-end sourcing strategy for critical categories that directly support our AI-powered wildfire detection hardware and software platforms. This role will develop and execute plans that optimize total cost of ownership while balancing quality, delivery, and supplier innovation for mission-critical components. The hire will partner closely with engineering, operations, quality, and finance to ensure sourcing decisions align with rapid product development and field deployment needs. They will lead complex global supplier initiatives, driving value across the supply base and mitigating risks that could impact our ability to monitor millions of acres. The manager will conduct detailed market analysis and lead RFx processes to select suppliers capable of meeting stringent technical and reliability standards. They will build and maintain strong relationships with key vendors to ensure performance, continuity, and strategic alignment with Pano AI's growth objectives. This role will also mentor sourcing team members and serve as a key advisor to leadership on supply market dynamics, risks, and opportunities. The Strategic Sourcing Manager will be instrumental in enabling faster, more informed decision-making that helps communities respond to and contain wildfires more safely and effectively.

Key facts

What you'll do

Develop and implement strategic sourcing plans for direct materials, indirect spend, and services categories critical to wildfire detection and IoT hardware deployments.

Lead supplier selection, qualification, and onboarding processes for hardware, software, and service vendors across a global supplier base.

Drive cost reduction initiatives through negotiation, value engineering, and in-depth market analysis while maintaining required quality and reliability standards.

Conduct RFx processes including RFI, RFP, and RFQ, and evaluate supplier proposals against defined technical, commercial, and risk criteria.

Build and maintain strong supplier relationships to ensure performance, innovation, risk mitigation, and continuity of supply for mission-critical components.

Monitor supplier performance using KPIs such as cost, quality, on-time delivery, responsiveness, and compliance with regulatory requirements.

Partner with internal stakeholders in engineering, operations, quality, and finance to align sourcing strategies with product roadmaps and business objectives.

Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including capacity constraints, geopolitical risks, single-source dependencies, and logistics disruptions.

Lead contract negotiations and ensure compliance with legal, regulatory, and company policies across all sourcing activities.

Analyze market trends, cost drivers, and industry benchmarks to inform sourcing decisions and support long-term strategic planning.

Support new product introduction (NPI) efforts by enabling early supplier involvement and ensuring seamless integration of new components into detection systems.

Drive continuous improvement initiatives within the supply base to enhance efficiency, reduce waste, and increase overall value.

Serve as a key advisor to leadership on supply market dynamics, risks, opportunities, and the total cost implications of sourcing decisions.

Mentor and develop sourcing team members, providing guidance, feedback, and leadership to build a high-performing procurement organization.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field is required.

A minimum of eight years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management is required.

Proven experience leading complex sourcing initiatives across a global supplier base is required.

Deep category expertise in direct materials, indirect spend, or services relevant to hardware, IoT, and technology solutions is required.

Strong commercial acumen, including demonstrated ability to negotiate complex contracts and manage supplier relationships, is required.

Experience conducting RFx processes, including RFI, RFP, and RFQ, and evaluating supplier proposals is required.

Ability to analyze market trends, cost drivers, and industry benchmarks to inform sourcing decisions is required.

Strong knowledge of supply chain risk management, including capacity constraints, geopolitical risks, and single-source dependencies, is required.

Nice to have

Experience in AI, IoT, or wildfire detection technology sectors is preferred.

Background in working with government agencies, utilities, or large-scale infrastructure projects is preferred.

Experience with sustainability and responsible sourcing initiatives is preferred.

Practical notes

This role is full-time and remote within the United States.

No official apply page is referenced in SOURCE; therefore no application instructions are provided here.