Procurement Manager

Kindred is a rapidly growing, venture backed manufacturer focused on unlocking the conversion of gasoline vehicles to electric using our technology and scale.

We are marketing folks, technicians, software developers, mechanical engineers, designers, painters, and car lovers. We love a whiff of gasoline and we geek out about the torque provided by electric motors. Above all we believe the world is a better place with vintage cars out on the road.

We strive to create a meaningful workplace at Kindred, which means something different for each of our team members. For some, it’s getting these immortal vehicles on the road. For others it’s the portion of revenue we donate to our local community for every vehicle sold. For many at Kindred, it’s the inclusive work environment we’ve created.

Our cars create joyful experiences for our customers and immense pride for our team. If you can match our passion, values, and work ethic, we want you!

The Procurement Manager will report to the VP of Supply Chain & Operations and will be responsible for overseeing the sourcing and purchasing functions across our vehicle programs. This is a hands-on, strategic and tactical role that will play a key part in transforming product concepts into production-ready solutions. The right person will collaborate closely with the Engineering, Vehicle Development and Production teams while cultivating strong, productive relationships with external vendors.

As our company grows, this position will have the opportunity to scale into building and managing the Supply Chain team.

The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in parts purchasing within a manufacturing setting- ideally in a startup or fast-paced environment—and will thrive in both independent and collaborative work. The right person should also be comfortable working independently, making decisions, and optimizing processes for speed, while maintaining efficiency and accuracy. This person is familiar with building and managing the tools needed to identify and execute their tasks.

The essential functions include, but are not limited to the following:

• Own end-to end procurement activities for both prototype and production builds across multiple vehicle developments
• Source, evaluate, and purchase high-quality materials, components, and finished goods to support vehicle production
• Track and manage purchase requisitions and purchase order processes
• Ensure on-time delivery of goods by coordinating with logistics partners and monitoring order status
• Identify, vet, and manage suppliers across key categories: fabricated metal, electronics, custom machined parts, wiring harnesses, fasteners, plastics, interior trim, and more
• Negotiate pricing, terms, and lead times with suppliers to ensure value and reliability
• Monitor supplier performance and initiate corrective actions, as necessary
• Expedite urgent orders, defer/cancel POs based on evolving needs, and ensure continuity of supply to prevent production disruptions
• Understand Design aesthetics and individual part requirements for each new build
• Collaborate with other KMW departments to align procurement activities with project and business goals
• Analyze market trends and apply this knowledge to make insightful buying decisions
• Understand, implement and support FAIR and NCR processes
• Support continuous improvement initiatives within the supply chain and contribute to process optimization
• Performs other related duties as assigned

• 5-10+ years of experience in procurement or supply chain management, preferably in manufacturing or automotive
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering or related field
• Demonstrated success managing end-to-end purchasing processes, from supplier sourcing, PO execution to receipt.
• Strong negotiation and vendor management skills
• Proficiency in ERP/MRP systems and Microsoft Excel (VLOOKUP and Pivot tables)
• Ability to thrive in a dynamic, fast paced startup environment
• Excellent communication, organizational, and analytical skills

• Experience with PTC Arena/Onshape or similar PLMs
• Experience…