Procurement Specialist

About Us Upside Robotics is on a mission to make farming more sustainable and efficient using "physical AI." We build autonomous, solar-powered robots that navigate cornfields to apply fertilizer with surgical precision—think of them as "Roombas for cornfields." With a $7.5M Seed round recently closed and a waitlist of over 200 farms, we are moving from low-volume prototyping to mass production. We are building a global supply chain that can support the deployment of 1,000+ units , and we need an expert to bridge the gap between our engineering team in Canada and our manufacturing partners globally. What We're Looking For We are seeking a Procurement Specialist to own the end-to-end sourcing and procurement process for our robotic systems. This role is for a "heavy hitter" in hardware procurement who understands the complexities of sourcing specialized electronics, machined parts, and solar components. The ideal candidate is deeply familiar with the Chinese manufacturing ecosystem and knows how to navigate the nuances of supplier selection, quality auditing, and logistics in Asia. You are a negotiator, a technical problem-solver, and a logistics mastermind who ensures that the right parts arrive at our Kitchener facility on time, every time. Key Responsibilities Global Sourcing & Vendor Management: Identify, vet, and manage key suppliers for mechanical components, PCBs, sensors, and solar arrays—with a heavy focus on the Chinese ecosystem. Strategic Procurement: Execute purchase orders and negotiate pricing, lead times, and terms to drive down COGS (Cost of Goods Sold) as we scale from 10 to 1,000 units. Technical Liaison: Work closely with the Senior Mechanical Engineer to translate CAD drawings and BOMs (Bills of Materials) into production-ready orders for overseas vendors. Quality & Risk Mitigation: Conduct (or coordinate) factory audits and pre-shipment inspections to ensure parts meet our IP67+ and agricultural-grade durability standards. Logistics & Customs: Manage international shipping logistics, including customs brokerage, tariff navigation, and last-mile delivery to our Ontario production hub. Requirements Experience: 4+ years in hardware procurement or supply chain management, specifically for electromechanical products or robotics. Ecosystem Expertise: Experience working with Chinese manufacturers and vendors. You understand the "Shenzhen speed" and how to maintain quality at that pace. Technical Fluency: Ability to read engineering drawings and understand manufacturing processes (injection molding, CNC, PCBA) to challenge vendor quotes and timelines effectively. Negotiation Skills: Proven track record of securing favorable terms and building long-term, high-trust relationships with suppliers. Location: This role is based in Kitchener, Ontario (Hybrid) Preferred Qualifications Startup Veteran: Experience in a fast-paced hardware startup where you had to build a supply chain from scratch. Tooling: Experience with ERP/MRP software and advanced Excel/Data skills for inventory tracking. Language: Professional fluency in Mandarin is a significant bonus Benefits & Compensation Salary: $75,000 - $90,000 Equity: Meaningful equity stake; we want you to own the efficiency you create. Healthcare: Comprehensive coverage provided through Alan Health. Vacation: Unlimited. We prioritize a reliable supply chain over tracking hours. Impact: You are the engine that allows our "Physical AI" to be built and deployed at a global scale. Pay: $75,000.00-$95,000.00 per year Benefits: Company events Extended health care Flexible schedule Paid time off Work Location: In person

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