About Harbinger
Harbinger Motors Inc. is a Southern California-based electric vehicle manufacturer on a mission to transform the automotive and transportation industries, bringing to market EVs developed from the ground up to address the needs of the Medium Duty vehicle industry. This broad, and to date poorly addressed, market segment includes class 4 to 7 commercial delivery vehicles, RVs and utility vehicles, among others. Leveraging a foundation of proprietary, in-house developed vehicle technologies, Harbinger's first-of-its-kind EV platform will bring enhancements in vehicle performance, durability and operator comfort. And importantly, Harbinger's vehicles will be priced for zero acquisition premium relative to traditional gas- and diesel-based competitors, removing one of the most tenacious barriers to EV adoption.
Harbinger's team, with operations in Southern California and Michigan, includes industry veterans with expertise in powertrain, battery, chassis and software development, along with leaders in advanced manufacturing, corporate development, operations and finance. Our team members come from leading innovators, both in and out of the automotive industry, including Tesla, Rivian, Canoo, Ford, Anduril, and SpaceX.
Founded in 2021, Harbinger is a venture-backed startup on a rapid growth trajectory, looking for candidates that thrive on tackling complex challenges and who share in our passion to bring clean transportation alternatives to a segment of the market starving for innovation.
Job Overview
Harbinger Motors is seeking a dynamic, experienced Head of Purchasing (Direct) to lead the procurement of critical vehicle components and systems. This position will be responsible for ensuring an uninterrupted, high-quality, and cost-effective supply of parts, including complex systems like powertrains, batteries, chassis/structures and electronic components that are integral to our electric vehicle chassis production. The role is both strategic and operational, requiring expertise in global sourcing, supplier relationship management, contract negotiations, cost control, and cross-functional collaboration with engineering and production teams. The successful candidate will not only drive the company's purchasing strategy but also ensure it aligns with Harbinger Motors' overarching goals of efficiency, sustainability, and innovation.
Key Responsibilities:
- Strategic Sourcing & Procurement:
- Develop a Global Procurement Strategy: Create and implement a forward-thinking procurement strategy that supports Harbinger Motors' short- and long-term production objectives. This includes identifying emerging suppliers and new markets, as well as exploring alternative sourcing models that prioritize sustainability and innovation.
- Component Sourcing: Manage the procurement of key vehicle components, including but not limited to:
- Electric powertrain systems (motors, drivetrains, inverters, etc.)
- Advanced battery systems and energy storage technologies
- Electronics and vehicle control units
- Chassis components (axles, suspensions, steering systems)
- Interior and exterior systems (lighting, infotainment, body panels)
- Supplier Identification & Selection: Research, evaluate, and select global suppliers capable of delivering innovative, cost-efficient, and high-quality components. Oversee a competitive bidding process and ensure that suppliers meet Harbinger Motors' technical, financial, and sustainability criteria.
- Market Analysis & Cost Benchmarking: Analyze market trends, materials pricing, and competitive positioning to forecast material needs, optimize purchasing decisions, and drive cost reduction initiatives without compromising product quality.
- Supplier Relationship & Performance Management:
- Supplier Partnership Development: Cultivate long-term, strategic partnerships with suppliers to foster collaboration and innovation. This includes co-developing new technologies and materials to support Harbinger Motors' R&D objectives.
- Performance Monitoring: Establish clear expectations and performance benchmarks for suppliers related to quality, delivery schedules, pricing, and compliance. Regularly evaluate supplier performance through KPIs and supplier scorecards.
- Issue Resolution: Address and resolve supplier-related issues swiftly, including quality concerns, delivery delays, or pricing disputes. Act as the primary escalation point for high-impact supplier challenges.
- Contract Negotiation & Supplier Agreements: Lead contract negotiations with suppliers, ensuring that terms protect Harbinger Motors' interests while securing favorable pricing, lead times, and warranties. Review and renew long-term agreements with critical suppliers as needed.
- Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Collaborate with Engineering: Work closely with product development teams to ensure that procured components meet technical specifications, quality standards, and production deadlines. Support new product launches by sourcing new materials and negotiating with suppliers to meet aggressive timelines.
- Work with Manufacturing and Operations: Align purchasing activities with production schedules to prevent shortages or delays. Ensure a smooth flow of materials into the manufacturing process, balancing just-in-time inventory principles with contingency planning.
- Quality Assurance Collaboration: Partner with Quality Assurance and Engineering teams to ensure procured parts adhere to stringent industry standards, including ISO, IATF, and regulatory compliance specific to electric vehicles (EV) and battery systems.
- Financial Management & Cost Control:
- Cost Reduction Initiatives: Lead initiatives to identify and capitalize on cost-saving opportunities, such as bulk purchasing, vendor consolidation, alternative sourcing, and localized supply chains.
- Budget Management: Define and manage the annual procurement budget for vehicle components. Monitor actual spend vs. forecast, and ensure adherence to financial targets while managing risks related to cost fluctuations.
- Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): Focus not just on upfront procurement costs but on the entire lifecycle cost of components, including maintenance, warranty, and end-of-life disposal.
- Risk Management & Compliance:
- Supply Chain Risk Mitigation: Develop and maintain a comprehensive risk management strategy, including multi-sourcing critical components, inventory buffering for key parts, and assessing geopolitical risks that may impact global supply chains.
- Compliance with Regulatory Standards: Ensure that all vehicle components meet relevant automotive regulations and industry standards (e.g., environmental, safety, and sustainability standards).
- Ethical and Sustainable Sourcing: Champion the use of ethically sourced materials and suppliers who follow best practices in sustainability, environmental management, and labor rights.
- Leadership & Team Development:
- Lead a High-Performing Team: Direct and develop a team of procurement professionals, fostering a collaborative, results-driven environment. Provide mentorship, set clear goals, and ensure alignment with company-wide objectives.
- Training & Development: Invest in the professional growth of the purchasing team by encouraging skill development, certifications, and industry knowledge enhancement.
Required Qualifications:
- Educational Background: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or a related field (Master's degree in a related discipline or MBA preferred).
- Professional Experience: 10+ years of experience in procurement or supply chain management, with at least 5 years in a senior leadership role overseeing the procurement of automotive components. Prior experience in the electric vehicle (EV) sector is highly preferred.
- Industry Expertise: In-depth knowledge of the automotive components supply chain, including global sourcing, supplier negotiations, and materials management specific to electric vehicle components such as powertrains, battery systems, and high-tech electronics.
- Technical Competence: Strong understanding of automotive engineering and manufacturing processes, including quality management systems (e.g., ISO/TS 16949, IATF 16949) and product development cycles.
- Negotiation Skills: Proven track record of successful contract negotiations, managing multi-million-dollar procurement contracts, and building strategic supplier alliances.
- Leadership & People Management: Demonstrated ability to lead, develop, and inspire a high-performing team.
- Technical Proficiency: Advanced knowledge of ERP and procurement systems (SAP, Oracle, etc.) and familiarity with procurement analytics and reporting tools.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Certification in Procurement (e.g., CPSM, CPIM) or Lean Six Sigma.
- Experience in international supply chains and knowledge of regulatory issues related to electric vehicles (e.g., battery transportation, materials sourcing).
Equal Opportunity
Harbinger is an equal opportunity employer and complies with all applicable federal, state, and local fair employment practices laws. 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.
Harbinger 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 info@harbingermotors.com.
Candidate Data Privacy
Harbinger 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. Harbinger 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.
Harbinger 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 HR, legal, and finance teams, and the team(s) with the position(s) for which you are applying; (ii) Harbinger affiliates; and (iii) Harbinger's service providers, including providers of background checks, staffing services, and cloud services.
Harbinger may transfer or store internationally your Candidate Personal Data, including to or in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, 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 note that we are currently not accepting applications from third party application services. Any unsolicited resumes or candidate profiles submitted in response to our job posting shall be considered the property of Harbinger and are not subject to payment of referral or placement fees if any such candidate is later hired by Harbinger unless you have a signed written agreement in place with us which covers the applicable job posting.
