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Tutor Intelligence is scaling production of Sonny V2 robots to 1,000+ units by 2028, with ramp beginning Q2 2027. This Supply Chain Manager role owns the end-to-end purchased-part supply chain for Sonny V2, including vendor management, procurement strategy, cost control, and supply-chain predictability.
Key Responsibilities:
• Vendor Management: Source, qualify, and manage suppliers for all purchased parts on the Sonny V2 bill of materials. Lead second-sourcing efforts on single-point-of-failure parts and build strategic partnerships with critical suppliers.
• Procurement & Inventory: Own purchase orders, buffer strategy, and material coverage against the build plan. Make strategic decisions on bulk ordering for lead-time insurance, air freight vs. sea freight, and inventory holds. Attach controlled drawings and revisions to every critical-part PO.
• Predictive Supply-Chain Tools: Build and maintain clear-to-build reports (current, 30/60/90-day forecasts), shortage callouts, lead-time trackers, and material-risk dashboards. Provide actionable buy signals to Supply Chain, Engineering, and Sales teams.
• Cost & Negotiation: Drive unit cost, payment terms, MOQs, and lead times through structured negotiation. Own landed cost and COGS visibility.
• Design-Change Integration: Work directly with Production Engineering and R&D through the ECO (Engineering Change Order) process to absorb BOM and design changes at monthly build cutovers rather than stalling production.
• Outsourcing Strategy: Evaluate and implement outsourced sub-assembly and contract-manufacturing options, including offshore alternatives, as volume scales.
• Supplier Performance: Track on-time delivery, quality (NCMRs), and responsiveness. Escalate supplier issues early and decisively.
• System of Record: Maintain accuracy in ION (or equivalent ERP/MES): part numbers, unit costs, purchased assemblies, on-order quantities, and inventory.
The role requires comfort with spreadsheets, vendor negotiations, shop-floor presence, and occasional travel to supplier facilities in China. Critical parts have 100+ day lead times and designs change monthly; this role is accountable for making the supply chain predictable and resilient despite that volatility.
Requirements:
• 5+ years in supply chain, purchasing, or strategic sourcing for hardware products, ideally including new-product-introduction ramps (prototype → pilot → production)
• Hands-on experience sourcing from and managing Chinese vendors: factory qualification, payment structures (PI/T/T), EXW and freight tradeoffs (sea vs. air), customs, and time-zone/communication realities
• Proven negotiation track record with documented wins in cost, lead time, MOQ, or terms
• Strong analytical and tool-building skills: experience building clear-to-build, MRP-style, or shortage-forecasting tools in Excel, SQL, Python, or BI tools (not just consuming them)
• Fluency with MES/ERP/PLM systems (ION, NetSuite, Arena, Odoo, SAP, or similar) and comfort with controlled BOMs and revision control
• Mechanical and electrical literacy: ability to read drawings, understand harness specs, and discuss engineering tolerances with suppliers
• Willingness to spend time on shop floor, in warehouse, and occasionally travel to supplier sites
• Bachelor's degree in supply chain, engineering, business, or equivalent experience
Nice to Have:
• Mandarin or Cantonese fluency
• Experience with robotics, automation, EV, drones, or electromechanical products (motors, batteries, PCBAs, sheet metal)
• Prior experience setting up or managing China-based sourcing presence or sourcing agent
• APICS, CPSM, CSCP certification, or Lean Six Sigma training
• Experience with First Resonance ION specifically
• Contract manufacturing or EMS outsourcing experience
