Buyer - Directs (Contract) at Humanoid (US Boston, MA)
Humanoid· US Boston, MA·
Role details
Humanoid at a glance
Humanoid builds commercially scalable, safe humanoid robots to automate labor-intensive industrial tasks in warehousing, logistics, and manufacturing.
Designs and builds general-purpose humanoid robots (the HMND 01 platform) that automate physical industrial tasks like goods handling, picking and packing, and kitting, orchestrated by an in-house AI fleet framework called KinetIQ.
Approximately $30M self-funded by founder Artem Sokolov; a ~$200M Series A was in talks as of early 2026 (not closed) raised · latest: Series A (in talks, ~$200M, no valuation set) as of February 2026 · backed by Artem Sokolov (founder, sole shareholder)
Job description
Here at Humanoid, we believe in a future where robots amplify human potential. That’s why we’ve set out on a mission to build the world’s most capable, commercially-scalable, and safe humanoid robots. We’re bringing that mission to life with HMND‑01 Alpha - our rapidly developed humanoid platform now running in real industrial pilots - and we’re growing the team to take it even further.
ABOUT THE ROLE
We are seeking a Buyer - Directs for an operational procurement role focused on P2P execution, supplier communication, and tactical sourcing support across Humanoid’s direct material commodity. The role supports the SCM Lead, you will partner with teams in London, Boston, and Vancouver in delivering continuity of supply, cost performance, and operational excellence across Mechanical, Electronics, Electromechanical, Cables & Harnessing, and Software commodities
WHAT YOU'LL DO
- Conduct market research to identify cost‑saving opportunities and understand price trends and supply risks.
- Support sourcing initiatives, including RFx processes, negotiations, and contract execution.
- Drive cost, lead‑time, and efficiency improvements with measurable KPIs.
- Capture business requirements and translate them into clear commercial packages.
- Negotiate optimal commercial terms (pricing, payment terms, lead times, Ts & Cs).
- Conduct price analysis and cost‑breakdown validation to ensure fair and equitable pricing.
- Process requisitions and purchase orders in line with procurement policies.
- Maintain accurate PO and supplier data within SAP and associated systems.
- Resolve supplier performance issues, discrepancies and understand the escalation process
- Communicate to internal stakeholders as appropriate.
- Minimize risk to continuity of supply by carrying out supplier risk assessments for the portfolio’s suppliers and implementing corrective actions as required.
- Support continuous improvement of procurement processes, documentation, and tools.
- Deliver KPI’s relating to cost, cash, quality, service and continuity of supply for the commodity proposals.
- Run MRP (SAP) and ensure timely availability of direct goods and services.
- Experience of implementing Supplier Relationship Management techniques / tools with suppliers (RMMs, Score Cards, Monthly Performance Reviews (MPRs), Communications Plans, Risk Management, DnB report, Sanctions list etc.)
- Support Production, Engineering, Quality, and Planning teams to meet manufacturing needs.
- Directly support the SCM Lead in the regional area
This role supports the Commodity teams in sourcing activities but does not own commodity strategy or supplier selection decisions
WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR
- 3+ years of direct procurement experience, ideally in manufacturing, robotics, technology, aerospace/defense or automotive.
- Proven experience working within scaling direct procurement functions.
- Degree in Business, Law, Engineering, or related field.
- APICS/ASCM CPIM or ISM-CPSM certification desirable.
- Strong understanding of contract law, commercial terms, and negotiation frameworks.
- Awareness of export controls (including EAR) relevant to robotics and technology.
Technical Skills
- Proficient in Google Workspace, Slack, and database management.
- Experience with MRP/ERP systems; SAP essential.
- Good analytical, numerical, and planning capabilities
- A good understanding of the Legal Aspects associated with contracting within the Robotics industry
- Procure-2-Pay and tactical procurement experience (Essential) across the following direct commodities pillars
- Mechanical Systems
- Electronics & Electrical
- Electromechanical Systems
- Cables & Harnessing
- Software & Digital Licensing (P2P support)
Behavioral Skills
- Good negotiation, influencing, and stakeholder‑management skills.
- Ability to work cross‑functionally in a fast‑paced, engineering‑driven environment.
- Highly organized, adaptable, and able to manage shifting priorities.
- Professional, motivated, and able to operate autonomously.
WHAT WE OFFER
- Competitive hourly rate, based on experience
- Office perks: free breakfasts, lunches, snacks, and regular team events
- Collaboration with top-tier engineers, researchers, and product experts in robotics
- Startup culture prioritizing speed, transparency, and minimal bureaucracy
Why work at Humanoid
- High-growth environment: Company grew headcount by 139% in a single year, indicating rapid scaling and opportunity for career advancement. 65+ open roles suggest strong hiring momentum.
- Talent from top robotics firms: Team includes alumni from Boston Dynamics, Sanctuary AI, Dyson, Ocado Technology, Arrival, Wayve, and others — offering a deep learning and collaboration environment.
- Technical focus: Engineering and technical roles represent 38% of the workforce, with senior-level hires at 23% of the team. The company emphasizes hardware, AI, machine learning, and control systems.
- Mission-driven: Clear purpose to automate undesirable, unsafe, and repetitive work — appealing to candidates who want to make a tangible societal impact.
- Global presence: Offices in London (HQ), Cambridge (USA), and Burnaby (Canada), plus operations in 16 countries — offering potential for international mobility and remote collaboration.
- Innovation culture: Described as a place where engineers and researchers “move from demo to deployment” and “not just in the lab.” The CTO emphasizes building systems that perform in the real world from day one.
- Office/Hybrid policy: Not explicitly stated, but the company has physical offices in three countries and a distributed team across 16 nations — likely supports hybrid/remote with in-office collaboration for engineering roles.