Procurement Lead

Perplexity

. Build Perplexity's procurement function .

Posted 10/31/2026full-timeSan Francisco • California • United StatesSenior💰 $190,000 - $240,000 per yearWebsite

Core Competencies

Role fit

Core Competencies

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Demonstrates expertise in building and scaling procurement functions, negotiating high-value vendor agreements, and implementing procurement tools and AI automation to drive efficiency and savings. Strong ability to manage vendor relationships and influence senior leaders while ensuring compliance and risk management.

Highest-signal resume keywords

Procurement Function DevelopmentVendor NegotiationAI Tool ImplementationProcess DesignStrategic Sourcing

ATS Keywords

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Applicant Tracking System Keywords

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Hard Skills

Procurement WorkflowsVendor ManagementContract NegotiationSpend AnalysisMulti-Year AgreementsPerformance TrackingCost Savings StrategiesPolicy DevelopmentRisk ManagementData Agreements

Soft Skills

Strong CommunicationInfluencing Senior LeadersCommercial ToughnessSound JudgmentProblem Solving

Tools & Technologies

Procurement ToolsAI AutomationContract Review ToolsSpend Analysis Software

Industry Keywords

High-Growth Technology CompanyVendor Risk ReviewsAudit-Ready ControlsCloud ServicesSoftware Agreements

Tech Stack

Tools & technologies

Cloud

About the role

Key responsibilities & impact

Build Perplexity's procurement function
Design procurement workflows, policies, approval thresholds, agreements, and vendor-management processes
Lead high-impact vendor deals across software, cloud services, data, and professional services
Negotiate pricing, terms, competitive alternatives, and signatures
Structure committed-spend, usage-based, and multi-year agreements
Own relationships with key vendors, including performance tracking, business reviews, and renewal negotiations
Implement procurement tools and AI automation
Use AI workflows and agents for intake, contract review, spend analysis, and reporting
Build visibility into vendor spend and contracts
Drive savings through consolidation, right-sizing, and renegotiation
Partner with Legal, Security, and Accounting on contract terms, vendor risk reviews, and audit-ready controls
Help teams choose vendors and structure strong agreements while avoiding procurement bottlenecks

Requirements

What you’ll need

5–7+ years of experience in procurement or strategic sourcing at a high-growth technology company
Experience building or scaling a procurement function
Track record negotiating multi-million-dollar software, cloud, or data agreements
Experience managing vendors, renegotiating at renewal, and delivering measurable savings
Experience building procurement processes, policies, and systems from scratch
Ability to run multiple deals with incomplete information
Sound judgment about when to move fast and when to escalate
Comfort using AI tools to accelerate work and improve workflows
Strong communication skills
Ability to influence senior leaders
Reputation for being commercially tough and fair
Ability to attend in person 2–3 days per week in San Francisco
Ability to come into the office four days per week, as requested in the application form

Benefits

Comp & perks

Equity
Health insurance
Dental insurance
Vision insurance
Retirement benefits
Fitness benefits
Commuter accounts
Dependent care accounts
Regionally tailored benefits for full-time employees outside the U.S.