Director of Procurement

Summary 
Location: Remote 
Travel: up to 30%.

About Kardion 
Kardion is a medical device company advancing innovative technologies to improve patient outcomes. As we continue to scale our U.S. headquarters in Irvine and strengthen our global operating model, we are seeking an engaged Director of Procurement to lead our procurement team and provide strategic oversight of all sourcing, supplier management, and contract manufacturing (CMO) operations.
 
Position Summary 
The Director of Procurement will lead all sourcing, supplier management, and contract manufacturing (CMO) operations. This role is accountable for stabilizing and maturing procurement processes, strengthening supplier capabilities, and building a scalable global procurement strategy aligned with commercialization goals and compliance requirements.
This is an operationally focused leadership position responsible for managing the procurement team while providing strategic oversight of our external manufacturing partners.

Responsibilities  

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of six buyers across direct, indirect, and NPI procurement categories.
• Strengthen sourcing strategies for components, materials, tooling, and services.
• Own the full supplier lifecycle, including selection, qualification, onboarding, and ongoing performance management.
• Negotiate contracts, pricing, and commercial terms to achieve cost, quality, and risk‑mitigation goals.
• Serve as the primary operational interface for external manufacturing partners in Germany and other global regions.
• Oversee capacity planning, production scheduling, and issue resolution with CMOs.
• Support technology transfer, scale‑up, and validation activities in collaboration with Engineering and Quality teams.
• Establish and maintain supplier governance frameworks, KPIs, and performance review mechanisms.
• Ensure supplier compliance with ISO 13485, EU MDR, FDA QSR, and internal quality requirements.
• Lead supplier audits, corrective actions, and risk‑mitigation initiatives.
• Maintain supplier risk assessments and business continuity plans.
• Partner cross‑functionally with Engineering, Quality, Regulatory, and Finance to align procurement strategies with product development and commercialization milestones.

• Support ERP, MRP, and master data initiatives related to suppliers, materials, and BOM accuracy.
• Deliver regular reporting on procurement KPIs, supplier health, cost performance, and risk exposure.
• Participate in and contribute to S&OP, as well as company‑wide strategic and imperative goals.

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• Minimum 6–10 years of procurement and supplier management experience in MedTech, biotech, or another regulated manufacturing environment
• Demonstrated experience managing CMOs and leading cross‑functional sourcing initiatives.
• Working knowledge of EU MDR, ISO 13485, and FDA QSR regulations.

• Fluency in both English and German, with the ability to communicate effectively with German-speaking suppliers  
• Experience working in a startup or high‑growth environment.
• Strong negotiation capabilities with a track record of managing complex supplier relationships
• Proficiency with ERP systems, procurement tools, and data‑driven decision‑making.

• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally, up to 30%.

Compensation
The anticipated base salary range for this position is $160,000 – $195,000 annually. Actual compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, skills, and location. Kardion offers a comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k), and paid time off.

Equal Opportunity Statement
Kardion is an equal opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.