About the Team

The Global Strategic Sourcing team at DoorDash is at the forefront of aligning supplier strategy with long-term business goals. We deliver a strategic advantage by streamlining external spend, managing supplier risk, and optimizing value across critical categories. With a focus on transparency, scalability, and stakeholder partnership, we drive innovation and operational efficiency across the organization.

As AI rapidly reshapes the technology landscape, our team plays a critical role in enabling responsible adoption and maximizing value from AI investments while ensuring careful risk management.

About the Role

We are seeking a results-driven Manager of Global Strategic Sourcing & Category Management – Software (AI Focus) to lead sourcing activities across all company wide AI initiatives. In this individual contributor role, you will serve as the primary sourcing expert and single point of contact for all AI supplier engagements—from proof-of-concept (POC) through enterprise adoption. You will partner closely with Engineering, Product, Security, Legal, Finance, and business stakeholders to shape AI strategy, manage supplier relationships, and ensure responsible deployment of AI technologies.

You will own the end-to-end sourcing lifecycle for AI suppliers, balancing innovation with mindful risk assessment, and act as the PMO for all AI POCs by tracking progress, coordinating cross-functional (XFN) efforts, and ensuring stakeholder alignment. This role requires a deep enthusiasm for technology, fluency in AI supplier landscapes, and an ability to evaluate both risks and rewards of emerging solutions.

You will report to the Senior Manager, Global Strategic Sourcing within the Finance org. This is a U.S.-based remote role, with 20–30% travel for team events, offsites, and supplier engagements.

You're excited about this opportunity because... Lead end-to-end sourcing and category strategy for AI and software solutions, including evaluation, selection, contracting, and lifecycle management. Serve as the single point of contact for AI suppliers, coordinating proof-of-concepts, tracking outcomes, and managing full-cycle adoption decisions. Act as the Program Management Office (PMO) for all AI POCs, ensuring structured tracking, reporting, and cross-functional alignment with stakeholders. Partner with Engineering, Security, Legal, Product, and Finance to establish supplier strategy, risk frameworks, and responsible AI practices. Execute RFx (RFI/RFP/RFQ) processes to evaluate innovative AI solutions, balancing performance, cost, risk, and long-term business value. Negotiate complex SaaS and AI supplier contracts (MSAs, SOWs, licensing, and service agreements) to protect DoorDash’s commercial, technical, and legal interests. Establish sourcing frameworks to enable stakeholder self-service, while guiding on high-complexity or strategic engagements. Track supplier performance, market trends, and emerging AI capabilities to inform sourcing strategy and risk mitigation. Deliver measurable business impact through supplier consolidation, cost optimization, and value-added partnerships. Champion a stakeholder-obsessed mindset, ensuring strong alignment, clear communication, and trusted advisory support to business partners. We're excited about you because... 7+ years of sourcing and procurement experience, with demonstrated success in software and SaaS category management. Expertise in AI product sourcing, including evaluation of generative AI, ML/analytics platforms, automation tools, and specialized AI vendors. Strong knowledge of supplier landscapes across AI-first companies (e.g., OpenAI, Anthropic, Observe.AI, Cursor) and SaaS providers with embedded AI. Proven track record as program manager/POC coordinator, driving structured execution of supplier pilots and adoption programs. Strong commercial acumen and risk-balanced negotiation skills with experience structuring complex software and AI supplier contracts. Demonstrated ability to collaborate cross-functionally with Engineering, Security, Legal, Finance, and Product teams. Enthusiasm for emerging technologies and mindfulness of AI risks, ethics, and compliance considerations. Exceptional communication and stakeholder engagement skills, with a stakeholder-obsessed mindset. Comfortable operating in a fast-paced, dynamic environment, balancing multiple priorities with precision. Bachelor’s degree in Business, Finance, Supply Chain, or a related field (MBA or advanced degree a plus).

 

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