Hardware Procurement Operations Lead (Controls & Integrations)

Who you are

You have a strong background in procurement operations and finance, with experience in building and maintaining operational models that ensure compliance and efficiency. You are a hands-on leader who enjoys collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive results and streamline processes. Your ability to navigate complex organizational structures and align diverse stakeholders is a key strength. You understand the importance of governance and audit-ready controls in procurement operations, and you are committed to maintaining high standards in these areas.

You have experience leading teams and fostering a collaborative environment where team members can thrive. You are skilled at convening forums to discuss operational choices and are comfortable serving as the primary escalation point for operational blockers. Your strategic mindset allows you to co-design operating models that balance standardization with the unique needs of different business units.

Desirable

Experience in hardware procurement or related fields is a plus, as is familiarity with finance-grade visibility and audit requirements. You may have a background in working with legal, security, and trade compliance, which will enhance your ability to navigate the complexities of procurement operations.

What you'll do

In this role, you will co-design and maintain the operating model for procurement operations, ensuring that it meets the needs of both business units and central governance requirements. You will lead a small team and work closely with Finance and Accounting to ensure that direct-materials flows are visible and auditable from end to end. Your responsibilities will include defining what is standardized versus BU-specific and clarifying central versus embedded responsibilities. You will also convene cross-functional forums to align on operational choices and serve as the primary escalation point for any operational blockers that arise.

You will be responsible for building the procurement operations backbone for OpenAI’s hardware programs, which involves designing systems flows, governance processes, and RACI/DRIs. Your role will require you to ensure that all procurement activities are compliant with Finance, Legal, Security, and Trade requirements, and that they are audit-ready. You will collaborate with various teams to enable rapid execution while maintaining high standards of visibility and control.

What we offer

At OpenAI, we are committed to providing a supportive and inclusive work environment. We believe in the potential of artificial intelligence to solve global challenges and are dedicated to ensuring that its benefits are widely shared. You will have the opportunity to work with a talented team and contribute to innovative hardware programs that shape the future of technology. We encourage you to apply even if your experience doesn't match every requirement, as we value diverse perspectives and backgrounds.