Hardware Strategic Sourcing & Manufacturing Partnerships Manager

About the role

OpenAI’s Hardware organization develops silicon and system‑level solutions for advanced AI workloads. We are seeking an experienced Hardware Strategic Sourcing & Manufacturing Partnerships Manager to lead strategic engagements with joint design manufacturers, contract manufacturers, and original design manufacturers across our hardware ecosystem.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute partnership strategies for JDM, CM, and ODM models, aligning manufacturing approach with product requirements, scale, cost and risk.
• Lead end‑to‑end RFI and RFP processes, define requirements, manage market outreach, evaluate bids and present selection recommendations.
• Evaluate partners on technical capabilities, manufacturing readiness, quality systems, capacity, financial stability and strategic fit.
• Negotiate and structure agreements covering services, tooling, pricing, IP, warranties, capacity commitments and service levels.
• Translate agreements into operating plans, resource commitments, technical readiness requirements and program milestones.
• Coordinate manufacturing readiness, design transfer, production ramp‑up and ongoing operations with cross‑functional teams.
• Maintain executive and working‑level relationships, serving as primary commercial point of contact.
• Establish governance through scorecards, business reviews, forecasts, corrective actions and continuous‑improvement initiatives.

Required profile

• 10+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, manufacturing partnerships or supply‑chain leadership within hardware, semiconductors or advanced technology infrastructure.
• Direct experience selecting, negotiating with and managing JDM, CM and ODM partners for complex hardware programs.
• Proven ability to lead engagements from RFI/RFP through onboarding, product introduction, ramp‑up and long‑term relationship management.
• Strong analytical judgment to assess trade‑offs among cost, quality, capacity, schedule and operational risk.
• Comfort operating in a fast‑moving, ambiguous environment and building scalable processes where playbooks do not yet exist.

Required skills

• Manufacturing cost models
• Should‑cost analysis
• Open‑book pricing
• Total cost of ownership