About Gridware
Gridware is a San Francisco-based technology company dedicated to protecting and enhancing the electrical grid. We pioneered a groundbreaking new class of grid management called active grid response (AGR), focused on monitoring the electrical, physical, and environmental aspects of the grid that affect reliability and safety. Gridware’s advanced Active Grid Response platform uses high-precision sensors to detect potential issues early, enabling proactive maintenance and fault mitigation. This comprehensive approach helps improve safety, reduce outages, and ensure the grid operates efficiently. The company is backed by climate-tech and Silicon Valley investors. For more information, please visit www.Gridware.io.
Role Description
The Sourcing Manager role will be responsible for identifying, evaluating, and onboarding new hardware suppliers, negotiating pricing and contracts, and ensuring material availability to support production builds. This role will report to the Senior Supply Chain & Planning Manager and will work closely with Hardware Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance/Accounts Payable, and our contract manufacturers to align sourcing strategies with product development and production goals.
Responsibilities
Identify, evaluate, and onboard new suppliers for mechanical and electrical components to support product development and production
Lead end-to-end sourcing activities, including RFQs, cost analysis, and supplier selection across a variety of commodities.
Negotiate pricing, terms, and contracts to achieve cost targets and strong commercial agreements.
Partner closely with Hardware Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality during NPI and product design phases to drive early-stage sourcing, prototyping, and supplier selection that scales to production.
Collaborate with contract manufacturers’ procurement and supply chain teams to align sourcing strategies and execution.
Proactively identify and mitigate supply risks (e.g., shortages, long lead times, single-source dependencies) while driving cost reduction through negotiations and alternative sourcing.
Manage supplier relationships, including performance monitoring, issue resolution, and continuous improvement.
Required Skills
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
4-7 years of experience in sourcing, direct procurement, supply chain, or supplier management, preferably in a hardware or manufacturing environment.
Experience working across multiple commodity categories, and sourcing both mechanical and electrical components. Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI).
Strong negotiation experience, including pricing, contracts, and supplier agreements.
Experience working with contract manufacturers and external supplier networks.
Strong cross-functional collaboration skills, especially with engineering, manufacturing, and finance teams.
Ability to manage ambiguity and build processes in a fast-moving startup environment.
Bonus Skills
Experience working with global suppliers and international sourcing.
Familiarity with cost modeling, should-cost analysis, or design-to-cost methodologies.
Exposure to ERP systems and supplier management tools.
Experience in the energy, utilities, or hardware startup space.
Experience partnering closely with contract manufacturers on sourcing and procurement execution.