Who we are
The problem: Every minute matters in fire response. As climate change amplifies the intensity of wildfires—with longer fire seasons, dryer fuels, and faster winds—new ignitions spread faster and put more communities at risk. Today, most wildfires are detected by bystanders and reported via 911, meaning it can take hours to detect a fire, verify its exact location and size, and dispatch first responders. Fire authorities need a faster way to detect, confirm, and pinpoint fires so that they can quickly respond—preventing small flare-ups from becoming devastating infernos.
About Pano: Pano is a venture-backed early-stage climate tech startup that is the leader in wildfire early detection, leveraging the latest advancements in IoT, AI, satellites, and SaaS software to deliver actionable intelligence to customers. Pano leverages mountaintop cameras and satellites to detect the first traces of smoke and put real-time fire images in the hands of asset owners and first responders to speed up containment. Pano is already partnering with major utilities, fire authorities, and government agencies in the USA and Australia. Recent media coverage includes being named one of the Top 10 most innovative companies in AI of 2023 by FastCompany and recipient of the Innovative Mobile Service and Application Award at Mobile World Congress through our partnership with T-Mobile.
Pano brings together a diverse team bridging frontline, wildland firefighting experience with best-in-class know-how in operations, logistics, artificial intelligence, and software. Our team is composed of experienced technology professionals from companies such as Apple, Cisco, Nest, DoorDash and Meta. Headquartered in San Francisco with an office and factory in the Mission District, our hybrid team works from locations around the world. Founded in mid-2020, we’ve raised over $40M from leading VC funds.
The Role
We’re looking for a Director of Strategic Sourcing who will oversee a team of procurement professionals who are responsible for millions of dollars of direct spend for Pano AI. Our Strategic Sourcing team oversees two main areas of spend: 1) an IoT (Internet of Things) supply chain which includes hardware components, 3rd party custom manufacturing, connectivity solutions, power components (solar, batteries), freight/3PL, 24X7 human-in-the-loop AI call centers etc. and 2) a “Telecom” supply chain which includes site evaluation, installation, permitting, construction services, and tower leasing of Pano AI’s camera tower locations. The role may grow to include areas of indirect spend over time as well. The Strategic Sourcing team is located in both the US and Australia and is growing quickly.
Select and manage 3rd party logistics and freight forwarding suppliers and partner with Pano manufacturing team to ensure that new region launches go smoothly and international and domestic deliveries are completed on time.
Apply strategic thinking to design optimal supply chains to improve scalability, reduce risk, and streamline Pano AI’s operations.
Identify, design, and select processes and tools to continue to enable scale in procurement as Pano AI grows, including processes to enable collaboration and information sharing across departments such as program management and sales.
What You’ll Do
- The Strategic Sourcing team is ultimately responsible for cost/terms, quality, and on-time delivery / supply capacity for all commodities across both the IOT and Telecom Supply Chains, leveraging procurement best practices and cultivating strategic supplier relationships.
- Cost/terms:
- Oversees various financial analyses within the Sourcing team to support a) vendor negotiations (e.g. should-cost analysis), b) Pano internal FP&A, and c) Prioritization of sourcing initiatives. Deliverables include cost-down waterfalls, margin trend analysis, board, and fundraising materials, etc.
- Set cost down targets for company/team across key commodities using “should-cost” analysis, and drive and track key initiatives against those targets, in partnership with Pano’s finance team. Regular executive reporting on progress against cost down goals.
- Ensure their team develops a nuanced understanding of the commodity landscape in order to forecast industry trends and gauge emerging competitive forces
- Leverage strategic relationships with vendors wherever possible, not just transactional, and serve as escalation path and executive relationship-owner for sourcing team members
- Oversee effective competitive RFPs as well as sole source cost negotiations, delivering ongoing and predictable savings.
- Ensure new components (NPI, new regions) are priced competitively and reasonably
- Drive fast and effective lease and other contract negotiations, resolving any stalemates internally or externally
- Quality:
- Work in close coordination with other departments to understand and resolve any supplier quality issues
- Conduct supplier risk assessments
- Prioritize supplier visits for team and ensure key risks are being identified
- Implement processes to oversee compliance with all specifications and requirements for all sourced commodities
- On Time Delivery / Supply Capacity:
- Work in close coordination with plant management / materials management team to accurately forecast component volumes via S&OP process and identify part shortages early using CTB process
- Ensure all part shortages are resolved quickly, serving as escalation path with team if needed; Ensure materials vendors deliver components to sites on time as needed.
- Perform capacity modeling exercises in coordination with vendors to identify any future bottlenecks well in advance and select additional sources or alternate components if needed.
- Project management of any NPI programs and new regions that require new sourcing, to ensure that new components are selected and contracted well in advance of need.
- Drive continuous improvement in tower leasing and installer selection process for both speed and savings; design and implement tracking processes for early visibility into potential delays.
- Assess and implement opportunities to utilize 3rd party services to support seasonality of Pano AI’s business cost-effectively.
What You’ll Bring
- 7+ years of Strategic Sourcing experience with increasing scope and responsibility including at least 3 years of management experience.
- Track record of success in managing cost, quality and on-time delivery in challenging fast-paced environments
- Zoom in / Zoom out: Ability to define big picture strategies and prioritize / think outside of the box, but also get into the weeds to resolve issues with the team
- Strong quantitative and analytical skills, critical thinking, and business acumen
- Proven ability to multitask across numerous and diverse commodities simultaneously
- Thrives under pressure; creative problem solver
- A shrewd and enthusiastic negotiator, who leverages preparation as well as strategy to achieve exceptional cost outcomes
- A passionate people leader, with a track record of building and mentoring A+ teams
- Executive presence in front of senior internal and external audiences
- Strong relationship-building with peers and ability to resolve conflicts internally and externally
- High sense of urgency
- Willingness to travel up to 20%
- Exceptional organizational and planning skills
- A mission-driven builder who loves to SHIP!
Pano is an equal opportunity employer committed to recruiting and supporting our team-members regardless of where they come from. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status.
