About Sesame
Sesame believes in a future where computers are lifelike - with the ability to see, hear, and collaborate with us in ways that feel natural and human. With this vision, we're designing a new kind of computer, focused on making voice agents part of our daily lives. Our team brings together founders from Oculus and Ubiquity6, alongside proven leaders from Meta, Google, and Apple, with deep expertise spanning hardware and software. Join us in shaping a future where computers truly come alive.
This role is responsible for leading the sourcing strategy and supplier management for product packaging, softgoods, and accessories used across our hardware products. The position partners closely with industrial design, mechanical engineering, operations, and program management teams to ensure these components align with product design intent, user experience, cost targets, and manufacturing requirements. This individual will drive supplier selection, commercial negotiations, and long-term sourcing strategies to support new product introduction (NPI) and sustaining production, ensuring high-quality components and reliable supply.
Responsibilities:
Develop and execute sourcing strategies for product packaging, softgoods, and accessories supporting both NPI builds and production ramp.
Identify, qualify, and manage global suppliers with the technical capability and manufacturing capacity to support packaging, softgoods, and accessories.
Partner with Industrial and Product Design Engineering teams to ensure materials, finishes, and construction methods align with product design intent, user experience, and manufacturability.
Lead commercial negotiations and contract development, including pricing agreements, tooling investments, and long-term supply agreements.
Support new product introduction (NPI) by ensuring supplier readiness, component availability, and risk mitigation across EVT, DVT, and PVT through mass production.
Drive cost optimization initiatives through value engineering, material selection improvements, and supplier benchmarking.
Manage supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, and responsiveness to ensure consistent execution.
Collaborate with operations and contract manufacturers to ensure packaging and components integrate smoothly into factory builds and assembly processes.
Identify potential supply risks and develop mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply.
Provide market intelligence and supplier insights related to materials, manufacturing processes, and supplier capabilities for packaging, softgoods, and accessories.
Required Qualifications:
8+ years of experience in supply chain, sourcing, or commodity management within eyewear, hardware, or other consumer products.
Experience managing suppliers for packaging, softgoods, and accessories used in eyewear or consumer products.
Strong understanding of consumer product packaging, including retail packaging and protective packaging solutions.
Experience sourcing softgoods materials and components, such as fabrics, leathers, foams, or flexible materials used in consumer products.
Experience partnering with Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering teams during product development.
Experience supporting new product introduction (NPI) and managing supplier readiness across EVT, DVT, PVT builds through production.
Demonstrated ability to lead supplier negotiations and manage commercial agreements, including tooling and supply contracts.
Experience managing supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, and capacity.
Experience working with global suppliers and contract manufacturers supporting consumer hardware production.
Strong cross-functional collaboration and communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications:
Experience in the eyewear industry.
Sesame is committed to a workplace where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. We welcome all qualified applicants, embracing diversity in race, gender, identity, orientation, ability, and more. We provide reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. Contact careers@sesame.com for assistance.
Full-time Employee Benefits:
401 (k) max employer match: 3.5% of compensation
100% employer-paid health, vision, and dental benefits for you and your dependents
Unlimited PTO and sick time
Flexible spending account with employer matching up to $1,650/year (medical FSA)
Guardian Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
Opportunity to share in the company's success with competitive stock options
Benefits do not apply to contingent/contract workers.
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