Procurement Specialist

Reports To: Anna Han, COOAbout AZAKAZAK is transforming how the world moves. We are a startup in defense technology, empowering people with everything they need to move, achieve, and do more with the world's most efficient, powerful, and structurally adaptable electric mobility systems. AZAK’s patented technology places all of the drive components needed to operate an electric vehicle inside and below the center point of the wheel. This simple but groundbreaking mechanical innovation helps us create vehicles with the lowest center of gravity, that are more energy efficient, and that have modular properties that provide optionality, space savings, and freedom of frame design.

About the Role: We are looking for a hands-on, detail-oriented Procurement Specialist to manage and scale our supply chain, purchasing workflows, and vendor network. If you thrive in a fast-moving hardware environment, enjoy working directly with engineering and manufacturing teams to source specialized components, and take pride in ensuring every bolt, circuit board, and motor arrives on time and on budget, this is the role for you. You will own end-to-end procurement for our autonomous ground vehicles and electric mobility platforms—from issued Request for Quotes (RFQs) and Purchase Orders (POs) to vendor negotiation and component tracking. You will be instrumental in building a reliable, scalable supply chain that moves as fast as our engineering team. What You’ll DoSourcing & Purchasing Execution: Manage daily procurement operations, issuing POs, tracking orders, and securing long-lead hardware, electro-mechanical components, custom fabrications, and PCBAs for production and testing. Quality Control & Vendor RMAs: Coordinate incoming inspection with engineering and shop teams to verify that delivered components match technical drawings and specifications. Lead the Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA) process for defective, damaged, or non-conforming parts, negotiating replacements, credits, and root-cause corrective actions with suppliers. Inventory Management & Control: Maintain accurate on-site inventory records within our MRP/ERP system. Track stock levels, organize receiving and storage workflows, establish reorder thresholds for high-turn consumables, and prevent stockouts that could stall assembly schedules. Supplier Relationship & Vendor Management: Identify, vet, and maintain strong relationships with technical suppliers. Negotiate competitive pricing, payment terms, minimum order quantities (MOQs), and delivery commitments. Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner closely with engineering, operations, and technicians to translate Bill of Materials (BOMs) into clear purchasing actions, proactively flagging long-lead items or supply risks before they impact vehicle production. Culture FitA True Tinkerer: You love how hardware comes together. You are curious about physical products and manufacturing processes – you enjoy stepping onto the shop floor to see how the parts you buy are assembled into real vehicles. Devotion to Excellence and Attention to Detail: You care about clean records, accurate PO numbers, precise part numbers, and reliable tracking. You know that a missed lead time or incorrect part spec can stall an entire build schedule. Great Work Ethic & Low Ego: You take your work seriously, but not yourself. You are collaborative, reliable, and great to work with in a fast-paced lab and shop environment. Drive mastery in the minimal: Actively strip away the non-essential to deliver high-performance solutions that are sophisticated yet inherently understood.

Requirements: The Tactical Purchaser: Proven experience in procurement, purchasing, or supply chain execution within hardware development, robotics, automotive, aerospace, or defense manufacturing. The Technical Sourcing Thinker: Demonstrated experience working with complex Bill of Materials (BOMs), reading technical specs/drawings, and sourcing custom machined parts, electrical wiring, power electronics, and mechanical assemblies. The Negotiator & Communicator: Strong negotiation skills with a track record of driving down costs, expediting lead times, and holding suppliers accountable to delivery commitments. System & Inventory Discipline: Hands-on experience using ERP/MRP systems, inventory tracking databases, or digital procurement tools to track POs from issuance to receiving. Must be based in or willing to relocate to Denver, CO.

Preferred Skills: Degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, or equivalent experience. Familiarity with defense industry procurement standards, domestic sourcing requirements, or FAR/DFARS flow-down compliance. Experience in high growth, fast-paced technology environments with a proven track record of continued success.4-6 years of experience.

Compensation & Benefits: Cash compensation is targeted between $95,000–$118,000 and equity package.100% company-paid premiums for medical, dental, and vision insurance for employees and dependents. Paid time off. Fully subsidized supplemental benefits for unexpected medical events. Competitive parental leave. On-site meals three days a week. AZAK is reinventing the wheel, and revolutionizing mobility. AZAK is an equal opportunity employer. We do not discriminate in hiring or any employment decision based on race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), marital status, ancestry, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, or other applicable legally protected characteristic.