Rivian Automotive

About Us

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is a joint venture between two industry leaders with a clear vision for automotive’s next chapter. From operating systems to zonal controllers to cloud and connectivity solutions, we’re addressing the challenges of electric vehicles through technology that will set the standards for software-defined vehicles around the world.

The road to the future is uncharted. By combining our expertise across connectivity, AI, security and more, we’ll map a new way forward. Working together, we’ll create a future that’s more connected, more intelligent, more sustainable for everyone.

Role Summary

The Procurement team of Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies (RV Tech) is looking for a highly motivated, independent, and exceptional Indirect and Capex Procurement Manager.

In this role, the Manager will be responsible for the strategic sourcing, procurement, and management of a broad range of indirect goods and services, including but not limited to Corporate Services, IT (Software/Hardware), Logistics, and Professional Services.

Furthermore, this role is critical for enabling our core business as a software development company, focusing on capital expenditure related to our global infrastructure, and R&D tooling essential for future product development. In this context, the Manager will be responsible for end-to-end management of the Capex lifecycle, from strategic planning and supplier identification to rigorous contractual negotiations and ongoing global supplier relationship management.

You will oversee all commercial aspects of new business awards and renewals, present to Senior Leadership, negotiate agreements, and foster strong supplier and internal relationships. You will conduct spend analysis and collaborate closely with stakeholders to regularly evaluate supplier performance and ensure solutions continue to meet business needs. Additionally, you will ensure the company meets its cost targets while suppliers adhere to aggressive timelines. In our team, we expect our people to own every aspect of the sourcing process from start to finish and everything in between. This position requires owning every aspect of the sourcing process from start to finish.

Located in our Palo Alto, California office, this position offers a standard hybrid schedule with the expectation of being in the office three days a week.

Responsibilities

Indirect Procurement

• Demonstrate subject matter expertise sourcing and managing various indirect sub-categories (e.g., IT, Professional Services, Logistics, Corporate Services).
• Develop and execute strong sourcing strategies across assigned indirect categories.
• Facilitate the strategic sourcing process and end-to-end Sourcing-to-Pay-Process independently, including prospective supplier identification, RFx execution, capability assessment, comprehensive bid analysis, contract negotiation, and execution
• Demonstrate expertise in negotiating complex commercial agreements, securing favorable terms and conditions with minimal support from the legal team
• Work closely alongside stakeholders to meet their technical and business requirements, execute against set milestones, and track sourcing progress
• Perform detailed analysis of quotations based on cost breakdowns from supplier submissions to achieve cost savings
• Build and maintain strong relationships with key suppliers, monitoring performance and addressing issues to ensure compliance with quality and performance standards
• Proven experience in leading sourcing projects, developing and implementing sourcing strategies, managing RFx processes, and presenting recommendations, including award nominations and sourcing strategies, to senior leadership for approval

Capex Procurement

• Managing high-value development infrastructure equipment (e.g. HIL, HOL, general working infrastructure, etc.), supplier development and strategic relationships
• Build and maintain a unique understanding of the supply base, market conditions, and technology roadmaps relevant to capital expenditure
• Lead strategic sourcing events, supplier interfacing, as well as dispute resolutions of complex project issues
• Support in timely and efficient Capex design, execution, and life cycle sustaining of equipment, high-performance computing, and specialized tooling projects with engineering partners and key cross-functional teams
• Drive cost and commercial value negotiations with detailed data and specific content-based analysis
• Monitor Capex spend forecast (totals and timing) and risk with the Finance team, including internal guidance to improve
• Work closely alongside Program Management to support program requirements, ensure adherence to build performance milestones, and track progress
• Create should-cost models to build program budgets with cross-functional teams
• Drive commercial and business decisions with leadership, including establishing technology investment roadmaps
• Expand and support planning of RV Tech’s global CapEx supplier footprint

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree (MBA in Supply Chain Management preferred)
• 5+ years of relevant experience performing strategic sourcing, cost analysis, negotiations, and contract negotiations in an indirect/capex procurement environment.
• Strong understanding of the technology and supplier landscape in industrialization
• Analytical skills, technical literacy, and attention to detail required to solve complex cross-functional issues
• Previous ERP (SAP/Coupa) systems and purchase order processing experience
• Previous Contract Lifecycle Management (CLM) system experience – Ironclad preferred
• Able to work independently with little instruction and can adapt to change
• Ability to multi-task while maintaining attention to details and deadlines
• Able to work well with others in a team environment
• Good interpersonal and communications skills, high level of integrity and emotional IQ
• Experience working and managing projects globally, and flexibility to travel
• Action-oriented and solution-driven and able to work in a fast-paced environment
• Highly accurate and detail-oriented

Pay Disclosure

Salary Range/Hourly Rate for Palo Alto, California Based Applicants: $149,700 - $187,100; (actual compensation will be determined based on experience, location, and other factors permitted by law).

Benefits Summary: Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies provides robust medical/Rx, dental and vision insurance packages for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26. Full Time Employee coverage is effective on the first day of employment. Part-Time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment.

Company Statements

Equal Opportunity

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information or characteristics, physical or mental disability, marital/domestic partner status, age, military/veteran status, medical condition, or any other characteristic protected by law. We are also committed to ensuring compliance with all applicable fair employment practice laws regarding citizenship and immigration status.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies is committed to ensuring that our hiring process is accessible for persons with disabilities. If you have a disability or limitation, such as those covered by the Americans with Disabilities Act, that requires accommodations to assist you in the search and application process, please email us at candidateaccommodations@rivian.com.

Candidate Data Privacy

Rivian and VW Group Technologies (“Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies”) may collect, use and disclose your personal information or personal data (within the meaning of the applicable data protection laws) when you apply for employment and/or participate in our recruitment processes (“Candidate Personal Data”). This data includes contact, demographic, communications, educational, professional, employment, social media/website, network/device, recruiting system usage/interaction, security and preference information. Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may use your Candidate Personal Data for the purposes of (i) tracking interactions with our recruiting system; (ii) carrying out, analyzing and improving our application and recruitment process, including assessing you and your application and conducting employment, background and reference checks; (iii) establishing an employment relationship or entering into an employment contract with you; (iv) complying with our legal, regulatory and corporate governance obligations; (v) recordkeeping; (vi) ensuring network and information security and preventing fraud; and (vii) as otherwise required or permitted by applicable law.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may share your Candidate Personal Data with (i) internal personnel who have a need to know such information in order to perform their duties, including individuals on our People Team, Finance, Legal, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies affiliates; and (iii) Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies’ service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.

Rivian and Volkswagen Group Technologies may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, and the European Union and in the cloud, and this data may be subject to the laws and accessible to the courts, law enforcement and national security authorities of such jurisdictions.

Please see our Candidate Data Privacy Notice (English) and Candidate Data Privacy Notice (Serbian) for more information.

Please note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services.