Cresta is on a mission to turn every customer conversation into a competitive advantage by unlocking the true potential of the contact center. Our platform combines the best of AI and human intelligence to help contact centers discover customer insights and behavioral best practices, automate conversations and inefficient processes, and empower every team member to work smarter and faster. Born from the prestigious Stanford AI lab, Cresta's co-founder and chairman is
Sebastian Thrun, the genius behind Google X, Waymo, Udacity, and more. Our leadership also includes CEO,
Ping Wu, the co-founder of Google Contact Center AI and Vertex AI platform,
and CTO & co-founder, Tim Shi, an early member of Open AI.
We’ve assembled a world-class team of AI and ML experts, go-to-market leaders, and top-tier investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Greylock Partners, Sequoia, and former AT&T CEO John Donovan. Our valued customers include brands like Intuit, Cox Communications, Hilton, and Carmax and we’ve been recognized by Forbes and Bain Consulting as one of the top private AI companies in the world.
Join us on this thrilling journey to revolutionize the workforce with AI. The future of work is here, and it's at Cresta.
About the role:
This is the first full-time hire for this role, offering a unique opportunity to shape and own Cresta's sourcing and procurement strategy from the ground up. Reporting to the VP, Revenue Operations, this role is perfect for someone eager to make a lasting impact in a fast-growing company.
We’re looking for an experienced and forward-thinking Director of Strategic Sourcing and Procurement to drive Cresta’s procurement strategy and sourcing initiatives. This role is critical for aligning our procurement processes with business objectives, managing vendor relationships, and ensuring operational excellence. We'd love to hear from you if you have a proven track record in strategic sourcing and procurement within the SaaS or tech space.
Location: SF preference, but open to fully remote, US.
Responsibilities:
Strategic Sourcing:
- Lead the development and execution of sourcing strategies that balance cost, quality, and supplier performance
- Identify, assess, and onboard suppliers that align with our company’s goals
- Stay ahead of market trends to navigate supply chain challenges and capitalize on opportunities
Procurement Leadership:
- Own the procurement process, ensuring efficiency, compliance, and alignment with company standards
- Drive the adoption of procurement tools and systems to streamline operations
- Use metrics to track performance and find opportunities for improvement
Vendor and Supplier Management:
- Build and maintain strong relationships with our key vendors and suppliers
- Establish KPIs for evaluating suppliers and regularly review their performance
- Resolve disputes effectively and foster lasting partnerships with strategic suppliers
Cross-Functional Collaboration:
- Work closely with finance, legal, and operations teams to align procurement strategies with business needs
- Support sourcing for major projects, including product development and tech investments
- Partner with stakeholders to understand their requirements and deliver solutions
Risk Mitigation and Compliance:
- Ensure all procurement activities meet legal, regulatory, and ethical standards
- Proactively identify and mitigate risks in our procurement process
Budget and Cost Management:
- Manage procurement budgets while driving cost savings through strategic negotiations.
- Monitor spending and provide leadership with regular updates on cost performance.
Qualifications We Value:
- Proven experience negotiating with AWS and other cloud providers
- Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, or a related field; MBA or advanced degree is a plus
- 8+ years of experience in strategic sourcing and procurement, including at least 3 years in a leadership role
- Deep understanding of procurement processes, vendor management, and contract negotiations
- Background in SaaS, technology, or AI-driven industries is a big advantage
- Strong analytical skills with the ability to turn data into actionable insights
- Exceptional communication and interpersonal skills, with a knack for influencing and driving change
- Familiarity with procurement software and tools, including Vendr, is a bonus
Compensation for this position includes a base salary, equity, and a variety of benefits. Actual base salaries will be based on candidate-specific factors, including experience, skillset, and location, and local minimum pay requirements as applicable. Your recruiter can provide further details.
We have noticed a rise in recruiting impersonations across the industry, where scammers attempt to access candidates' personal and financial information through fake interviews and offers. All Cresta recruiting email communications will always come from the @cresta.ai domain. Any outreach claiming to be from Cresta via other sources should be ignored. If you are uncertain whether you have been contacted by an official Cresta employee, reach out to recruiting@cresta.com.
