Job Information
Gecko Robotics Director of Procurement in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
What We Do
Gecko Robotics is helping the world’s most important organizations ensure the availability, reliability, and sustainability of critical infrastructure. Gecko's complete and connected solutions combine wall-climbing robots, industry-leading sensors, and an AI-powered data platform to provide customers with a unique window into the current and future health of their physical assets. This enables real-time decision making to increase the efficiency and safety of operations, promote mission readiness, and protect the environment and civilization from the effects of infrastructure failure.
Role at a Glance
The Procurement Director will be responsible for leading and optimizing the procurement process to ensure the timely and cost-effective acquisition of materials, equipment, and services needed for our robotics R&D, production, and general operations. This role requires a strategic thinker with strong negotiation skills and a deep understanding of supply chain management in a technology-focused environment. The ideal candidate will have a proven track record in procurement management within the robotics, electronics, or similar high-tech industries and thrive in a start-up setting.
What you will do
Develop Procurement Strategies: Lead the development of procurement strategies that align with company goals and objectives in collaboration with department leads.
Supplier Selection and Evaluation: Identify, evaluate, and qualify potential suppliers. Conduct thorough assessments to ensure suppliers meet quality, cost, and delivery standards.
Contract Negotiations: Lead contract negotiations with key suppliers to establish beneficial agreements and maintain long-term partnerships. Ensure terms and conditions align with company needs and risk management policies.
Cost Analysis and Budget Management: Conduct detailed cost analyses to identify opportunities for cost savings and efficiency improvements. Develop and manage the procurement budget, monitoring expenditures and optimizing resources.
Supplier Relationship Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with existing and new suppliers to foster collaboration, innovation, and effective communication. Address and resolve any supply-related issues promptly.
Market Research and Trend Analysis: Stay informed about market trends, emerging technologies, and industry developments. Utilize this information to inform procurement strategies and decision-making.
Process Optimization: Develop and implement processes, policies, and technologies to streamline procurement operations, enhancing efficiency and effectiveness.
Compliance and Risk Management: Ensure procurement activities comply with relevant regulations, internal policies, and ethical standards. Identify and mitigate risks associated with supply chain operations.
Team Leadership and Development: Lead and mentor the procurement team, fostering a culture of continuous improvement, professional growth, and teamwork.
Performance Metrics and Reporting: Establish and track key performance indicators (KPIs) for procurement activities. Prepare and present reports to senior management on procurement performance and strategic initiatives.
Cross-Functional Collaboration: Work closely with internal stakeholders across departments, such as engineering, finance, and operations, to understand requirements and ensure seamless integration of procurement activities with overall company operations.
Technologies We Use
NetSuite
SalesForce
Google WorkSpace (primary)
Microsoft Office (secondary)
Atlassian Suite (Confluence & Jira)
Slack
About You
Required Skills
Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field. A Master’s degree or relevant certification (e.g., CPM, CPSM) is a plus.
At least 8 years of experience in procurement, with a minimum of 3 years in a leadership role, preferably within the robotics, electronics, or high-tech industries.
Strong understanding of supply chain management principles and best practices.
Proven experience in negotiating and managing supplier contracts and relationships.
Excellent analytical, strategic thinking, and problem-solving skills.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across diverse teams.
Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, start-up environment and adapt to changing priorities.
Experience with procurement software and data analytics tools.
Knowledge of industry regulations and ethical procurement standards
Preferred Skills
Previous experience reading and interpreting engineering diagrams and documentation
Experience with Purchasing Electronic components (Highly preferred)
Experience with Purchasing custom-fabricated components (various materials)
Netsuite Experience
Who We Are
At Gecko, our people are our greatest investment. In addition to competitive compensation packages, we offer company equity, 401(k) matching, gender-neutral parental leave, full medical, dental, and vision insurance, mental health and wellness support, ongoing professional development, family planning assistance, and flexible paid time off.
Gecko values collaboration, innovation, and partnership, and we believe we do our best work when we're together in person. We’re an office-first culture but understand that sometimes you may need to work from home. Many people are in the office five days a week, others need a bit more flexibility. Ultimately, we care about the outcomes we achieve - and creating a culture of autonomy and trust that enables that impact.
Gecko is committed to creating a culture of inclusion and belonging, and we are proud to be an equal opportunity employer. We believe it is our collective responsibility to uphold these values and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to join us in our mission to protect today’s infrastructure and give form to tomorrow’s. All qualified applicants will be treated with respect and receive equal consideration for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, uniform service, veteran status, age, or any other protected characteristic per federal, state, or local law. If you are passionate about what you do and want to use your talents to support our critical mission, we’d love to hear from you.
$170K – $270K
This range is representative of the starting base salary for this role at Gecko based on the current available market data; it does not include bonuses, equity, or other salary components. Where a candidate falls in the range will be determined based on job-related factors such as relevant experience, skills, and location. Should you have compensation expectations that exceed these bands, we'd love to hear from you and would welcome you to reach out to further discuss.