Director of Procurement

Role Purpose

As the Director of Procurement at Chainguard, you will lead the sourcing, purchasing, vendor strategy and contracting for goods and services across the company. You will ensure that procurement aligns with Chainguard’s business strategy, optimizes cost/value, mitigates supplier risks, and supports scale-up operations. You will partner with business stakeholders to deliver operating leverage, supplier innovation, and procurement discipline.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and implement procurement strategy aligned with corporate goals: sourcing of hardware, software, cloud services, professional services, indirect and/or direct materials as required.
• Lead sourcing and contracting process: vendor identification, RFPs, security review, negotiation of certain terms based on playbook, contract execution, supplier onboarding.
• Manage supplier relationships and performance: monitor supplier KPIs, drive continuous improvement, ensure contractual compliance, manage risk (including security, compliance, supply continuity).
• Partner with finance and operations to manage procurement budget, cost-saving initiatives, risk mitigation (e.g., vendor concentration, supply chain disruptions).
• Establish procurement policies, procedures, and governance framework: approve purchasing thresholds, vendor classification, category management, ethical sourcing.
• Build and lead the procurement team: define structure, recruit, mentor category leads/buyers, set goals, grow capability in strategic sourcing and vendor management.
• Implement procurement systems/tools/processes: e-sourcing platforms, analytics/reporting dashboards, supplier performance metrics.
• Collaborate cross-functionally: work with product/engineering on sourcing of hardware/software, with IT/security on vendor risk, with operations/finance on material/services spend analysis.
• Monitor market and supplier trends: manage supply-chain risk (global inputs, logistics, compliance), evaluate opportunities for supplier consolidation, alternative sourcing, cost optimization.
• Oversee purchasing lifecycle: requisition → sourcing → contracting → ordering → delivery → supplier payment, ensuring process efficiency and internal stakeholder satisfaction.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or related field; MBA or relevant advanced degree preferred.
• ~10+ years of progressive procurement/supply chain experience, with at least 5+ years in a leadership role (director level) managing category or global procurement teams.
• Proven track record of building and executing procurement strategy, managing complex sourcing efforts, negotiating large vendor contracts, and driving cost/value improvements.
• Strong business partnering and influencing skills — able to engage senior leadership and non-procurement stakeholders and translate procurement insights into business value.
• Excellent negotiation, contract management, supplier management, and risk-management skills.
• Familiarity with procurement systems/tools, analytics/reporting, and category management.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced, growth environment (scale-up mindset) with multiple stakeholders and changing priorities.
• Excellent communication, presentation and leadership skills.
• Experience in technology, SaaS, cloud services, cybersecurity or open-source software companies.
• Experience managing global/multi-regional suppliers, complex indirect/spend categories (e.g., software, cloud, professional services) or direct component sourcing (if applicable).
• Experience with vendor risk management, security/compliance (especially relevant in a security-centric company).
• Certifications such as CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management), CSCP (Certified Supply Chain Professional), or equivalent.
• Experience with procurement digital transformation (e-sourcing, analytics, automation).