Director, Procurement

Divergent is a technology company that has architected, invented, built, and commercialized an end-to-end factory system called the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS) that comprehensively uses machine learning to optimally engineer, additively manufacture, and flexibly assemble complex integrated vehicle structures and subsystems. Products created using DAPS are superior in performance, lower in cost, rapidly customizable to meet mission and customer-specific requirements, faster to market, and scalable on demand to high volume production. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs, and Divergent is now expanding to support mission critical needs in the Aerospace and Defense sector.

Join us to be a part of this transformative journey, where your impact will shape the future of technology and production.

Purpose

The

Director of Procurement

will

be responsible for

the end-to-end procurement lifecycle for all goods and services across Divergent. This includes :

Direct

rocurement

of raw materials, powders, machined components, and specialized services used in the production of 3

D-printed

parts.

Capital

Equipment P

rocurement

for the internal development and construction of

Divergent's

proprietary 3D printersincluding motion systems, control electronics, high-precision actuators, laser systems, and other electromechanical components.

Indirect

rocurement

of all supporting goods and services, including software, facilities,

logistics

, R&D tools, consulting, and IT infrastructure.

This leader must

interface

cross-functionally with Engineering, Program Management, Production, Facilities, and Finance to ensure

timely

and cost-effective sourcing of highly specialized items in a complex, fast-paced environment.

The Role

Strategic Procurement Leadership

Develop and execute a comprehensive sourcing strategy for both direct and indirect procurement.

Define supplier segmentation, risk management frameworks, and cost-reduction initiatives across all categories.

Establish clear procurement policies, governance structures, and compliance standards.

3D-Printed Component Supply Chain

Source and manage vendors for :

High-performance additive manufacturing powders (e.g., titanium, Inconel, aluminum alloys)

Post-processing partners (heat treatment, HIP, machining, surface finishing)

Custom tooling and jigs required for part validation and vehicle integration

Ensure traceability, compliance with aerospace / automotive quality standards (e.g., AS9100, IATF 16949), and alignment with Divergent's production ramp.

Capital Equipment Procurement (Printer Systems)

Partner with Engineering and R&D to source complex subassemblies for internal 3D printer builds :

High-speed robotic arms and motion systems

Optical systems, laser hardware, and photonics components

Precision linear stages, actuators, sensors, and encoders

PLCs, industrial PCs, drives, and custom control hardware

Implement technical supplier audits and qualification for new vendors supporting long-lead custom items.

Manage build schedule dependencies and long-lead time forecasting in coordination with hardware development teams.

Indirect Procurement Management

Lead purchasing for all indirect categories, including :

Facilities (construction, services, leases)

IT / software (CAD / CAE tools, cloud infrastructure, enterprise applications)

Consulting, HR, and G&A support services

Negotiate complex service agreements and multi-year contracts to support business scalability.

Supplier Performance & Relationship Management

Build a preferred supplier network with robust performance metrics (cost, quality, on-time delivery, innovation).

Drive cost negotiation, volume pricing agreements, and long-term strategic partnerships.

Monitor supplier health and ensure redundancy for critical categories.

Team Building & Systems Implementation

Build and lead a growing team of category managers, buyers, and analysts.

Select, implement, and optimize procurement systems (ERP, e-sourcing platforms, supplier portals).

Develop real-time dashboards for spend visibility, savings tracking, and supplier KPIs.

Basic Qualifications

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology that is subject to US export controls

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

, Supply Chain, Business, or

a technical

discipline; Master's or MBA preferred.

10+ years of progressive procurement experience in advanced manufacturing, capital equipment, or R&D-intensive industries.

Demonstrated experience sourcing high-complexity, low-volume systems (e.g., robotics, optics, automation equipment).

Deep understanding of supply chain requirements for additive manufacturing and serialized hardware production.

Excellent negotiation skills and experience managing supplier performance and escalation processes.

Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, ambiguous environment and influence across diverse technical teams.

Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, NetSuite) and procurement analytics platforms.

Knowledge of ISO, AS9100, or similar quality standards

highly

desirable.

Preferred Qualifications

Previous

experience supporting hardware product launches in automotive, aerospace, defense, or industrial automation sectors.

Background in mechanical or electrical engineering with strong technical procurement acumen.

Familiarity with design-for-manufacturing, new product introduction (NPI), and rapid prototyping processes.

Pay Range

$163,455

$224,783 USD

What We Offer :

Equal Employment Opportunity

Divergent is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected characteristic. Divergent provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Assistance Act.

EEO Poster

In order to adjust to changes in our business, it may become necessary to add, remove or modify certain duties and responsibilities, or to reassign you to another job position. From time to time you may be asked to work on special projects or to assist with other work. Your cooperation and assistance in performing such additional work is expected.

E-Verify : Right to Work

Our company participates in E-Verify . E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms a candidate's eligibility to work in the United States after completing the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9). The information provided on the Form I-9 is compared to the records contained in the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases. This helps employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees.

Eligibility to Work Poster (English) |  Eligibility to Work Poster (Spanish)

Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO)

Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO), we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

No agencies, no solicitations, and no calls please.