Director, Direct Procurement, Energy Storage

About the role

Ownership of the full supply chain defines this role for scaling a new energy storage product from prototype to volume. Cross functional leadership aligns product engineering and supplier industries to enable material and component delivery for production. The role focuses on building the core capabilities required to meet high-volume production timelines.

Leaders set direction and build the conditions for their teams to succeed. They hire, coach, and hold people accountable. Leadership work spans strategy, communication, and decision making. Effective leaders give clear context and remove obstacles for the people who report to them. Leadership roles are measured by team outcomes, retention, and delivery. Most organizations expect leaders to be visible, predictable, and generous with context.

Key facts

What you'll do

Forecasts of supplier needs are developed in collaboration with engineering to prevent production blockers.

Global partners for power electronics, wire harnessing, and mechanical components are identified through landscape evaluation.

An end-to-end purchasing process is established, linking quotation, qualification, and long-term relationship development.

Industry standards and regulations for supply chain operations are upheld to limit compliance risk.

A structured, high-performing supply chain organization is created to align with product lines and growth targets.

Continuous improvement initiatives across procurement and logistics workflows are driven to target cost, quality, and sustainability outcomes.

Findings are synthesized and clearly communicated to senior leaders to support rapid decision-making.

Business risks across the supply chain network are assessed, monitored, and mitigated.

Requirements

The posting states a bachelor's degree requirement. Deep procurement and supply chain leadership experience is required, ideally scaling a new product line from prototype to high volume.

Supplier management and operations experience at manufacturing scale is necessary to guide decision-making and partner development.

Hands-on experience developing power electronics supply chains across Asia and North America is required for global supplier selection.

Experience building and directing supply chain teams is essential to organize, lead, and sustain high performance.

Strong problem-solving skills and attention to detail must underpin every analysis and recommendation.

Familiarity with industry standards and regulations relevant to supply chain operations is required to ensure compliant execution.

The ability and willingness to travel internationally and domestically is mandatory for this role.

Practical notes

Typical interview steps

Leadership hiring usually includes a strategy case, a people scenario, and a values conversation. Candidates may be asked to turn around a struggling team or plan for growth. Past results are examined closely, especially how decisions were made. Interviewers dig into specific decisions you made and their consequences. Preparing two or three decision stories with numbers and lessons is the best use of time.

Good to know

Supply chain roles of this scope typically coordinate across procurement, logistics, quality, and operations functions.

Battery materials and energy storage systems rely on strict adherence to industry standards and regulations.

Global supplier networks span multiple regions, requiring experience with diverse manufacturing and logistics practices.

Continuous improvement initiatives commonly target cost, quality, and sustainability outcomes in manufacturing environments.

Clear communication and rapid synthesis of findings support timely decisions at senior leadership levels.

Career growth

Leadership careers move from manager to senior manager, director, and executive roles. Each step adds more scope and more responsibility for outcomes. The best leaders keep learning how to delegate, communicate, and decide. Leadership careers reward a record of building and developing people. The higher you go, the more your communication shapes the whole organization.