This role involves transforming supplier relationships and optimizing manufacturing processes to ensure performance and operational resilience across a diverse supplier network.
Fictiv Exists to Enable Hardware Innovators to Build Better Products, Faster
Fictiv exists to help product innovators create.
Fictiv is a global manufacturing and supply chain company that enables organizations to scale globally across Fictiv’s four global manufacturing centers in India, Mexico, China, and the U.S.. Companies use Fictiv to access high-quality production, optimize supply chain logistics, and mitigate supply chain risk—ensuring they can move from prototype to full-scale manufacturing with speed and confidence. To date, Fictiv has delivered more than 35 million commercial and prototype parts for industries such as aerospace, robotics, automotive, climate tech, and more, helping them innovate faster, free up precious resources, and drive profitable growth.
Location: San Francisco Bay Area, CA (Remote – Bay Area Only)
Travel: 25–50% (primarily local supplier site visits)
Fictiv is redefining how hardware gets built. Our platform only succeeds if our manufacturing partners are exceptional.
We’re looking for a Senior Strategic Supplier Development Lead to expand, strengthen, and optimize our U.S. manufacturing network across CNC machining, sheet metal, injection molding, and additive manufacturing.
This is a highly visible, field-oriented role for someone who understands real-world manufacturing — equipment, process capability, production constraints, quality systems, and scalability. You won’t be qualifying suppliers from spreadsheets. You’ll be on shop floors, evaluating capability firsthand, building trust with owners and operations leaders, and elevating performance across the network.
This role is remote, but candidates must reside in the San Francisco Bay Area to support frequent in-person supplier engagement.
You will report to the Manager of Strategic Sourcing, U.S., and operate as a senior-level individual contributor and manufacturing subject matter expert.
The strength of our domestic supplier network directly impacts:
Customer experience and delivery performance
Quality, scalability, and program success
Cost competitiveness and lead time reliability
Operational resilience across our U.S. supply base
Your decisions will shape how Fictiv scales complex manufacturing programs across industries.
Identify and evaluate new U.S.-based manufacturing partners
Conduct in-person facility assessments (equipment, process controls, quality systems, capacity)
Validate true manufacturing capability — beyond certifications and quoting claims
Own supplier onboarding from initial evaluation through production readiness
Build long-term, performance-driven relationships with key manufacturing partners
Serve as a primary escalation and alignment point for supplier performance
Drive accountability around quality, delivery, and responsiveness
Maintain regular onsite engagement to ensure operational alignment
Lead or support negotiation of Manufacturing Service Agreements (MSAs)
Align on pricing structures, lead times, capacity commitments, and service expectations
Balance cost competitiveness with sustainable supplier partnerships
Drive supplier capability enhancement initiatives
Partner cross-functionally to resolve systemic quality or operational issues
Improve throughput, responsiveness, and reliability across the network
Share best practices and elevate overall supplier maturity
Strategically manage supplier portfolio mix and utilization
Analyze cost structures, performance data, and capacity coverage
Improve transparency, resilience, and scalability across the domestic network
Partner closely with Sales, Product, Quality, DFM/Costing, and Operations
Support sourcing strategies for complex or high-visibility customer programs
Align supplier strategy with customer demand and long-term growth plans
This is not a desk-based sourcing role.
You will:
Conduct regular on-site manufacturing partner visits
Evaluate constraints and improvement opportunities firsthand
Build credibility through face-to-face engagement
Travel: 25–50%, primarily within the San Francisco Bay Area.
7+ years of experience in supplier development, manufacturing sourcing, supply chain, or manufacturing engineering
Direct, hands-on experience with U.S.-based manufacturing suppliers
Regular experience conducting on-site supplier evaluations
Strong technical understanding of CNC machining, sheet metal fabrication, injection molding, and/or additive manufacturing
Proven track record qualifying and developing manufacturing partners
Ability to analyze cost models and operational performance metrics
Strong negotiation and stakeholder management skills
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field (Master’s preferred)
Self-directed and comfortable operating autonomously
Ability to travel 25–50% locally
This role requires access to export-controlled technology and is restricted to U.S. persons under 8 U.S.C. §1324b.
Eligible candidates include U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders). Proof of status will be required prior to employment.
Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance
401(k) plan
Monthly virtual work stipend (internet, food, wellness, pet care, travel)
Annual education stipend
Paid parental leave
Paid volunteer days
Full ergonomic onboarding setup (standing desk, laptop, monitor, chair)
Equipment stipend
And more
$120,000 – $145,000 per year, depending on experience
Fictiv is transforming how the next rockets, self-driving cars, and life-saving robots are designed, developed, and delivered to customers around the world. People who succeed at Fictiv are talented, creative, and driven to achieve professional excellence and support our vision to help product innovators create.
We’re actively seeking teammates who:
We encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups, including but not limited to women, members of the LGBTQ community, people of color, people with disabilities, and veterans.
Education Stipend
Annual education stipend
Health Insurance
Competitive medical, dental, and vision insurance
Other Benefit
Equipment stipend
Paid Parental Leave
Paid Time Off
Paid volunteer days
Fictiv is a global manufacturing and supply chain company designed for product innovators aiming to scale efficiently. With four manufacturing centers across India, Mexico, China, and the U.S., Fictiv provides access to high-quality production and optimizes logistics, allowing companies to move swiftly from prototype to full-scale manufacturing.
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