# Strategic Sourcing Manager, Compute

**Company:** [OpenAI](https://hotfix.jobs/companies/openai)
**Location:** San Francisco, CA
**Role:** Business Operations
**Salary:** $230k – $335k/yr
**Experience:** 10+ years
**Skills:** Strategic Sourcing, Vendor Management, Compute Systems, Hardware Supply Chain, High-Performance Computing, Gpu/Cpu Sourcing, Server Platforms, Rack Systems, Liquid Cooling, Power Delivery Systems, Oem/Odm/Jdm Engagement, Capital Procurement, Hyperscale Data Centers, Supply Chain Readiness, Manufacturing Ramp
**Posted:** 2026-05-19

> Lead strategic sourcing and supplier negotiations for AI compute infrastructure including GPUs, servers, and cooling systems at hyperscale. Requires 10+ years in hardware supply chain and deep technical fluency in compute architectures.

## Job Description

## Key Responsibilities
- Develop and execute sourcing strategies for the next generation of AI compute infrastructure in partnership with engineering and program leadership.
- Stay at the leading edge of industry and supply-chain trends to inform category strategy and long-range planning.
- Initiate, negotiate, and manage commercial agreements across OEM/ODM/JDMs for accelerators, GPUs/CPUs, server platforms, rack systems, liquid-cooling components, PSUs, and supporting mechanical/electrical subsystems.
- Secure capacity and optionality across a rapidly scaling compute supply chain while mitigating risk and ensuring manufacturing readiness.
- Partner cross-functionally with engineering, program delivery, legal, operations, and finance to ensure sourcing strategies align with technical and program objectives.
- Drive competitive sourcing events, commercial structuring, and vendor accountability across the compute bill of materials.
- Provide technical and commercial evaluation guidance during supplier selection and product qualification cycles.
- Deliver portfolio-level visibility to executive stakeholders on progress, risks, and decision points with clarity and precision.

## Qualifications
- 10+ years of strategic sourcing and vendor management experience, with deep expertise in compute systems and hardware supply chains.
- Demonstrated leadership sourcing for high-performance compute, accelerators, and data-center server platforms — ideally including OEM/JDM/ODM engagement.
- Technical fluency in compute architecture, including GPUs, CPUs, server platforms, rack systems, cold-plate & liquid-cooling design, and associated power delivery subsystems.
- Proven success negotiating complex capital procurement agreements and supplier capacity programs at hyperscale.
- Ability to influence cross-functional technical and executive teams and drive alignment in fast-moving, high-stakes environments.
- Strong analytical decision-making and commercial structuring skills, balancing speed, cost, technical requirements, and strategic risk.
- Experience with global manufacturing, supply chain readiness, long-lead materials, and ramp-to-volume for high-complexity hardware.
- Familiarity with hyperscale data-center operational requirements, testing/qualification cycles, and integration workflows.
- Procurement, supply chain, program management, or data-center hardware certifications are advantageous.

## Similar roles

- [Supply Chain Transformation Architect](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/8989079a-6af2-4750-a75d-4dc441c49032) - OpenAI - San Francisco, CA - $216k – $295k/yr
- [Business Platform Engineer - Supply Chain Technology](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/29a8a5c5-435a-489c-931e-0a75fd399651) - OpenAI - San Francisco, CA - $260k – $288k/yr
- [Staff Compute & Storage Capacity Planner](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/11c7e291-26b2-4498-a52d-c70d55ec99ad) - Crusoe - San Francisco, CA - $195k – $235k/yr
- [Strategic Sourcing Leader, Go-to-Market](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/811284d5-c0c9-4d8b-8065-c4d5678d7f03) - OpenAI - San Francisco, CA - $266k – $295k/yr
- [Strategic Sourcing Leader - Enterprise & Engineering Technology](https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/61077750-9a1f-4cab-a4ca-0bfe09a4201f) - OpenAI - San Francisco, CA - $266k – $295k/yr

**Apply:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/2bea4781-b581-47a9-8cef-9495cb588eae
**Canonical:** https://hotfix.jobs/jobs/2bea4781-b581-47a9-8cef-9495cb588eae