Lead Program Manager, Procurement - Strategic Initiatives
Rivian · 14600 Myford (Irvine California) · onsite
About Rivian Rivian is on a mission to keep the world adventurous forever. This goes for the emissions-free Electric Adventure Vehicles we build, and the curious, courageous souls we seek to attract. As a company, we constantly challenge what’s possible, never simply accepting what has always been done. We reframe old problems, seek new solutions and operate comfortably in areas that are unknown. Our backgrounds are diverse, but our team shares a love of the outdoors and a desire to protect it for future generations. Role Summary The Rivian Purchasing & Supply Chain team is looking for a highly analytical and results-driven Lead Program Manager to drive critical strategic initiatives that shape our purchasing and commercial strategies. Reporting directly to the Director of Global Supply Management, you will pivot away from traditional part procurement to lead complex, cross-functional programs focused on financial optimization, cross-commodity data analysis, and commercial strategy enhancement. In this role, you will serve as a strategic partner to purchasing leadership and global supply managers. You will build and leverage advanced data models to conduct robust cost estimate analyses, synthesize complex supplier quotes, and construct data-backed negotiation strategies. Your work will directly impact Rivian’s bottom line, driving visibility into "should-cost" models and refining how our purchasing organization evaluates commercial opportunities. This onsite position is located onsite in Irvine, California and reports to the Director of Global Supply Management (Interiors & Exteriors). Responsibilities Strategic Initiative Program Management: Concurrently manage high-impact, cross-functional purchasing initiatives reporting directly to the Purchasing Director. Drive execution on key strategic milestones, process improvements, and executive-level reporting across vehicle programs. Cost Estimate & Financial Analysis: Conduct deep-dive cost estimate analyses and build analytical models to evaluate supplier quotes, cost breakdown structures (CBDs), and raw material cost drivers. Translate complex financial inputs into actionable commercial insights. Negotiation Strategy & Should-Cost Modeling: Partner with Global Supply Managers to develop data-driven negotiation strategies. Utilize should-cost outputs, market trends, and parametric cost models to identify commercial gap opportunities and equip teams for high-stakes supplier negotiations. Supplier Quote Synthesis & RFQ Frameworks: Standardize and optimize the RFQ data analysis process. Benchmark supplier proposals across commodities to identify pricing anomalies, cost-reduction leverage points, and total cost of ownership (TCO) impact. Systems & Data Analytics: Build, refine, and maintain analytical tools, dashboards, and databases to track program progress, cost-saving initiatives, and spend metrics. Identify gaps in system functionality and improve data accuracy across purchasing systems. Stakeholder & Leadership Alignment: Act as the strategic connective tissue between Purchasing, Finance, Cost Engineering, and Vehicle Systems Engineering. Regularly present initiative statuses, commercial risk assessments, and financial trade-off proposals to executive leadership. Risk Mitigation & Benchmarking: Monitor automotive macroeconomic trends, technology landscapes, and supply market dynamics. Proactively identify financial and commercial risks, developing analytical frameworks to mitigate cost exposure. Qualifications Education: Bachelor’s degree in Finance, Supply Chain Management, Economics, Data Analytics, or a related quantitative field required. Automotive Domain Expertise: 6+ years of technical program management, supply chain, or strategic procurement experience within the automotive industry (OEM or Tier 1 supplier experience highly preferred). Data & Financial Analysis: Proven background in advanced data analytics, financial modeling, and cost structure breakdown. Demonstrated skill in turning raw commercial data into strategic negotiation insights. Strategic Sourcing Knowledge: Strong foundational knowledge of purchasing processes, supplier quote evaluation, RFQ/RFP structures, and commercial negotiation mechanics. Technical & Tools Proficiency: Advanced proficiency in data analysis and visualization tools (e.g., Excel/VBA, Power BI, Tableau, SQL, or Python). High efficiency in leveraging modern AI tools and data platforms (e.g., Gemini, Claude, Glean, and Databricks) to accelerate analytical workflows and cross-functional data synthesis. Familiarity with enterprise supply chain and ERP tools (e.g., SAP) and cost estimation frameworks. Communication & Influence: Exceptional presentation and interpersonal skills. Proven ability to influence cross-functional teams, synthesize complex data into executive summaries, and collaborate directly with leadership. Operational Style: Self-starter who thrives in high-ambiguity environments; capable of managing complex, unstructured strategic initiatives with limited guidance. Travel Requirements: Willingness to travel as needed based on business demands (expected average: 10–25%). Pay Disclosure The salary range for this role is $137,800 - $172,200 for Irvine, CA based applicants. This is the lowest to highest salary we in good faith believe we would pay for this role at the time of this posting. An employee’s position within the salary range will be based on several factors including, but not limited to, specific competencies, relevant education, qualifications, certifications, experience, skills, geographic location, shift, and organizational needs. The successful candidate may be eligible for annual performance bonus and equity awards. We offer a comprehensive package of benefits for full-time and part-time employees, their spouse or domestic partner, and children up to age 26, including but not limited to paid vacation, paid sick leave, and a competitive portfolio of insurance benefits including life, medical, dental, vision, short-term disability insurance, and long-term disability insurance to eligible employees. You may also have the opportunity to participate in Rivian’s 401(k) Plan and Employee Stock Purchase Program if you meet certain eligibility requirements. Full-time employee coverage is effective on their first day of employment. Part-time employee coverage is effective the first of the month following 90 days of employment. More information about benefits is available at rivianbenefits.com. You can apply for this role through careers.rivian.com (or through internal-careers-rivian.icims.com if you are a current employee). This job is not expected to be closed any sooner than October 16, 2026. Equal Opportunity Rivian 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. Rivian 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 candidateaccommodations@rivian.com. Candidate Data Privacy and Technology Rivian 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, soc