Buyer at RIVR (Shanghai, China)
RIVR· Shanghai, China·
Job description
RIVR, part of Amazon is a robotics company pioneering Physical AI through real-world doorstep delivery. Founded in 2024 as an ETH Zurich spin-off, RIVR developed wheeled-legged robots designed to operate in complex, unstructured environments such as stairs, gates, doors, and uneven urban terrain. We believe that achieving general physical intelligence requires solving real customer problems in the real world, where robots can learn from rich operational data at scale. Following our acquisition by Amazon in March 2026, we are continuing this mission with greater reach and speed. By combining custom robot hardware, onboard autonomy, and cloud-based coordination, RIVR, part of Amazon is building the next generation of safe, reliable autonomous robots for last-mile delivery.
What you’ll be doing
- You need to effectively communicate with the engineering team in China (mainly) as well as in RIVR-HQ to understand parts’ technical requirements.
- Identify the supplier pool of parts, establish contact with potential suppliers and arrange technical review for the technical team.
- Proceed with quotations for mass production and cost negotiation. Maintain proper documentation.
- Lead contract negotiation with suppliers and release PO according to the production plan.
- Closely track suppliers' part delivery status ( on time, on quality)
- Maintain supplier relationships and continuously gain industrial insight from suppliers and feed into the engineering backlog.
- Monitor and identify the supply chain markets’ risk for instance the shortage and price surge of certain raw materials; Propose mitigation plan accordingly.
- Support the ERP system implementation.
- Maintain and identify the improvements needed on the supply chain management process, standards, document templates and workflows.
What you must have
- Bachelor or above degree in Engineering or Business management.
- At least 1 years of experience in volume production projects in e-bike, consumer electronics, automotive and industrial robotics.
- Understanding of the Classic purchasing process.
- At least 1 complete independent project experience bringing a product from concept phase to volume production phase.
- Proactive spirit, willing to take on tasks that’s challenging and complicated. A strong will to take lead in seemingly chaotic and challenging projects.
- Good English skills.
Get some bonus points
- Startup company working experience, especially in the early stage.
- Ability to read technical drawings.
Why work at RIVR
- Cutting‑edge technology: Work on Physical AI, reinforcement learning, and advanced robotics at the intersection of software and hardware.
- Zurich location: Office and development lab in the heart of Zürich; relocation bonus offered.
- Compensation & perks: Competitive, transparent salary; Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP); annual performance‑based bonus; five weeks of vacation.
- Team & culture: Work alongside top engineers from ETH Zurich, Amazon, Meta, and leading robotics labs. Flat hierarchy with a strong technical focus.
- Remote/hybrid policy: On‑site presence expected (all current job postings are “On‑site – Full”); the robotics lab requires physical presence.
- Growth opportunity: Being part of an Amazon‑owned company provides stability and resources while still operating with a startup‑like engineering intensity.