Purchasing Inventory Specialist

About the company

Kodiak Robotics, Inc. was established in 2018 and focuses on autonomous ground transportation with the goal of creating a safer and more efficient future. The business has built an AI-driven technology platform tailored for commercial trucking and public-sector use. Its autonomous system supports daily freight deliveries across the southern United States, and in 2024 the company publicly announced delivering a driverless semi-truck to a customer for the first known time. Kodiak also applies its commercial self-driving software to develop, test, and deploy autonomous capabilities for the U.S. Department of Defense.

Role summary

Kodiak is looking for a hands-on Purchasing Inventory Specialist who is proactive, highly organized, and comfortable working in a fast-moving startup environment. This position plays a key part in planning, buying, tracking, and organizing materials so operations run smoothly. The right person will keep inventory records accurate, improve purchasing workflows, and support teams across the business with the materials they need on time.

Key responsibilities

• Assist with finding suppliers, negotiating terms, and buying goods, materials, and services needed for operations.
• Work with internal stakeholders to understand demand and make sure orders are placed and delivered on schedule.
• Maintain the preferred vendor list, monitor supplier performance for cost, quality, and delivery, and process purchase orders while tracking delays or discrepancies.
• Help with contract administration, including reviewing supplier terms and ensuring purchasing policy compliance.
• Manage RMAs, communicate clearly with vendors and internal teams, and keep records accurate and current.
• Support research into new suppliers, off-the-shelf alternatives, and substitute materials.
• Learn and apply purchasing-related legal concepts such as Terms & Conditions, MSAs, MPAs, and Vendor Managed Inventory.
• Keep inventory systems structured and clearly labeled, reduce misplaced material, and improve traceability.
• Carry out inventory audits and cycle counts using ABC methodology, and track check-in/check-out activity while reinforcing internal part number usage.
• Support kitting and staging for manufacturing and engineering builds, and help optimize storage and material flow in the facility.
• Reconcile data across physical stock, ERP systems, and PLM platforms to ensure accuracy.
• Help create and improve procedures for receiving, handling, and storing inventory, while partnering with engineering, operations, and finance on everyday material needs.
• Document inventory workflows and SOPs, improve them over time, and train coworkers on proper processes and system usage.
• Assist with logistics and shipping coordination when needed and contribute to ongoing improvements in procurement and inventory operations.
• Escalate concerns related to quality, supply, or compliance whenever appropriate.

Requirements

• A bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, or a related discipline is preferred, though not mandatory.
• At least 2 years of experience in purchasing, procurement, or inventory control, ideally in manufacturing or a startup setting.
• Hands-on experience with ERP platforms such as NetSuite, SAP, or Microsoft Dynamics.
• Exposure to inventory and procurement functions within PLM tools such as Arena is an advantage.
• Strong planning, organization, and time-management abilities.
• Sharp attention to detail and the ability to juggle several priorities at once.
• Good communication and collaboration skills.
• Understanding of procurement best practices, inventory control, and supply chain fundamentals.
• Self-directed mindset with ownership, flexibility, and adaptability in a startup culture.

Perks and benefits

• Competitive pay package with equity and twice-yearly bonuses.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage through Kaiser Permanente, Anthem, and Guardian, including a medical option with infertility benefits.
• Accrued PTO and generous parental leave.
• Office location at 3901 Corporate Dr Ste 300, Lancaster, TX.
• Workplace amenities such as a dog-friendly office, catered lunches, a stocked kitchen, and free EV charging.
• Long-term disability, short-term disability, and life insurance.
• Wellbeing support through Headspace, One Medical, Gympass, and Spring Health.
• 401(k) through Fidelity.
• Commuter benefits, FSA, dependent care FSA, and HSA.
• Additional incentive programs such as referral bonuses and patent bonuses.

Additional information

Kodiak is committed to maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and safe workplace where harassment is not tolerated. The company provides equal employment opportunity regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected characteristic.

Because of the nature of some business operations, certain roles may require extra eligibility checks. Depending on the position, candidates may need to satisfy requirements related to residence, U.S. person status, and/or citizenship status. If a role is subject to export licensing, national security restrictions, or other limitations, Kodiak may consider the candidate for an alternative role at its discretion or may decide not to continue with the application. Visa sponsorship may be available for eligible candidates.

An external AI tool is used to help with initial application screening. Candidate applications and job requirements are provided to the tool during evaluation, but final hiring decisions are made by the human recruiting team. The company states that no automated system makes the final hiring decision. Applicants may request a separate review by emailing [email protected] with the subject line “Separate Review Request.”

The facility is located in Lancaster, TX, at 3901 Corporate Dr Ste 300.