Sr. Manager, Direct Purchasing

About AESC US LLC

AESC is an exciting, newly created global organization committed to solving the challenges of a sustainable future and becoming the leading supplier of full-value-chain battery solutions. Our lithium-ion batteries can be found in nearly one million electric vehicles worldwide and have a stellar safety record of zero-critical issues. AESC US is leading the way in battery technology. We design and manufacture EV battery technology for various electric vehicles and equipment. We are working hard towards unlocking the full potential of sustainable energy and climate change mitigation. We will continue to build upon our successes and expand into new markets and industries, producing innovative and competitive products and technologies that advance the goal of a zero-carbon emission future. AESC is headquartered in Japan and has battery manufacturing locations in Japan, UK, China, and the U.S.

AESC Mission

Our mission is to solve the challenges for a sustainable future. Together, we can make a meaningful impact.

About the Role

The Senior Direct Procurement Manager will be the lead Cell and Electrode buyer focusing on efficiently procuring a large portion of the battery cell across multiple battery chemistries. You will be responsible for developing the commodity strategy that strives for competitive costing, adherence to governmental regulations, and incorporating a global supply base. The role would require flexible work hours with our partners and supply base and business travels.

What You Will Do

• You will be responsible for developing the commodity strategy that strives for competitive costing, adherence to governmental regulations, and incorporating a global supply base.
• Develop cathode, anode, and other cell chemical commodity strategy.
• Develop raw materials expertise in the battery cell chemistry markets (Lithium Ion, NCM, LFP)
• Work with global procurement team to analyze value chain partnership structures and investment opportunities commodities.
• Lead the development and execution of business cases for cathode and anode and focusing on cost/project feasibility/timing/localization/risk.
• Execute MOUs/off takes/sourcing agreements with cathode, anode suppliers to support AESC’s cycle plan and cell plant capacity needs.
• Support recycling and closed loop re-use activities and workstreams.
• Establish baseline measurement of ESG performance for suppliers, driving participation in audits/assessments that evaluate whether sustainability and ESG standards are met and ensure implementation of corrective actions to findings from audits/assessments.
• Provide data transparency from the supply base to support fact-based negotiations to deliver cost targets.
• Institute in-depth understanding of cost drivers, historical prices, and future cost projections.
• Monitor team’s progress towards strategy implementation and supply procurement.
• Design an analytical tool to quantify progress of sourced/secured supply to quantify annual output capabilities vs capacities needed.
• Analyze AESC’s cycle plans and translate changes to address potential capacity issues that could constrain AESC / raw materials team in the future.
• Contribute to risk mitigation plans cross-functionally with raw material suppliers, engineering teams and other battery cell purchasing stakeholders.
• Analyze market trends, industry dynamics, and technology announcements, and translate findings into data collection and actionable insights.
• Lead cross-functional project implementation to enhance AESC’s competitiveness in the EV market with an agile, solutions-based mentality.

What You Need

• Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, business administration, industrial engineering, economics, or related technical field with MBA preferred.
• 7-10 years of experience in procurement, logistics/transportation, supply chain, finance, operations, or related fields (battery, automotive, manufacturing industry experience preferred).
• Proficient in Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and SAP.
• Understands and follows all standards of IATF16949 and VDA 6.3 quality standards. (training and awareness will be provided for those who are not familiar with these standards)
• Understands and follows all standards of ISO14001 environmental standards. (training and awareness will be provided for those who are not familiar with these standards)

What We Offer

Welcome to AESC, supporting our state-of-the-art Gigafactories, where you'll have the opportunity to tackle the world's most fascinating challenges alongside exceptionally talented individuals who are driven to make a difference. At AESC, we offer a comprehensive compensation package. In addition, we provide a range of valuable benefits, such as 401K, and health insurance. We strive to ensure that our employees are well taken care of, enabling them to focus on their work and contribute to our collective mission of changing the world.

• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development.
• Highly automated, clean, safe, and temperature-controlled production environment
• Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance
• HSA and Flexible Spending Accounts
• 401K with company match
• Life Insurance (Company paid and additional voluntary life available)
• Paid Vacation and 14 Paid Holidays
• Short term and long-term disability coverage (Company Paid)
• Tuition reimbursement

Application Process

Even if you don't meet every requirement listed, if you believe this role suits you well, we encourage you to apply. Your application gives us the opportunity to learn more about you and explore potential fits within our team.

Following the submission of your application, we are committed to providing timely responses to all applicants, though response times may vary depending on the volume of submissions. If you do not receive an immediate response, please rest assured that this in no way reflects on the quality of your candidacy. Your application will be retained in our files, and we may reach out to you for future roles that align with your skills and interests. As our organization experiences rapid growth, we appreciate your patience in this process. We are actively working each day to enhance our application procedures to ensure a smoother and more efficient experience for all applicants. Thank you for your understanding and enthusiasm for joining our dynamic team.

Equal Employment Opportunity

At AESC, we are committed to providing Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) to all individuals. We participate in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the U.S Join us in our passion to design, manufacture, and sell high-performance products, contributing to a sustainable and zero-carbon emission future.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be made to enable otherwise qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential job functions.

• Ability to sit for extended periods of time.
• Ability to read, write, speak, hear; stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle, or feel; reach and lift with hands and arms frequently throughout the day.
• Required to occasionally lift, push, pull and/or move up to 10 pounds and occasionally required to lift, push, pull and/or move up to 35 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment is primarily an automated manufacturing plant with a concrete floor and is characterized by some temperature extremes, moderate noise, and forklift traffic. The individual must be able to perform all essential functions as appropriate on the plant floor, in meetings, and with employees, management, customers and suppliers.

Candidate must perform the essential duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation efficiently and accurately, and without causing significant safety threat to self or others. The statements made herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive and inclusive list of all responsibilities, duties, and/or skills required of personnel so classified.