Senior Commodity Manager – Cells

Clarios; Hannover; On-site; EUR 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

International environment

Flexible working hours model

Mobile work policy

Company kindergarten

Competitive remuneration package

Company pension program

Fitness center

Physiotherapist

Healthy canteen

Lease company bike

Onboarding and learning programs

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Clarios, a leader in advanced low-voltage battery technologies, seeks a Senior Commodity Manager - Cells to own the global sourcing strategy for Li-ion, Na-ion and ultracapacitors. You will drive supplier qualification, negotiate long-term agreements and manage the full lifecycle from RFQ to end-of-life, while aligning with engineering and program management teams.

You will monitor market trends, build cost-down roadmaps and ensure supply security in a global context, with approx.

Qualifications

• Eight+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, commodity management, or battery supply chain.
• Deep knowledge of Li-ion, Na-ion and ultracapacitor technologies, cell manufacturing and electrode production.
• Proven experience in should-cost modeling, cell pricing, commodity-index tracking, and global supplier negotiations.
• Experience in automotive, battery manufacturing, energy storage or high-volume manufacturing; knowledge of APQP, PPAP and IATF 16949 preferred.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute global sourcing and category strategies for Li-ion, Na-ion and ultracapacitor technologies.
• Lead supplier selection, qualification, nomination, and contract negotiations; manage long-term agreements and capacity reservations.
• Own lifecycle management for cells, electrodes, active materials and related components from RFQ to end-of-life.
• Build should-cost models, target-price frameworks, and analyze quotations to drive cost-down roadmaps.
• Monitor raw-material markets and translate cost drivers into sourcing decisions and business cases.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Program Management and Purchasing on RFQs, roadmaps, QA, and make-or-buy evaluations.
• Manage supplier risk, capacity, financial exposure, geopolitical and material dependencies; drive mitigation actions.
• Lead supplier workshops, localization initiatives, and report on strategy, market trends, and savings.

Skills

Global sourcing

Category management

Supplier negotiations

Cost modeling

RFQ management

Strategic sourcing

Supply chain

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Master's degree preferred

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

SAP/ERP

Cost-modeling tools

Job description

Batteries are our Business. People are our Power.

At Clarios, we produce advanced low-voltage battery technologies and smart solutions that power nearly every type of vehicle. One in three vehicles worldwide is powered by a Clarios battery. Home to brands including VARTA® and OPTIMA®, we are united by a shared goal: creating cutting-edge technology sustainably. Ready to power up your career? Explore the possibilities with us and become a valued member of our team.

Your impact

As Senior Commodity Manager - Cells (m/f/d), you will own and execute the global category strategy for lithium-ion cells, sodium-ion cells and ultracapacitors, including electrodes, active materials and related technologies. You will ensure competitive cost, supply security and commercial excellence across the full lifecycle, from RFQ and supplier nomination through series production and end-of-life.

Location: Hannover, Germany. The role has a global scope and requires international travel of approximately 10-20%.

What you will do

• Develop and execute global sourcing and category strategies for Li-ion, Na-ion and ultracapacitor technologies, including supplier panels, sourcing roadmaps, dual-source strategies and business allocation.
• Lead supplier selection, qualification and nomination, as well as contract negotiations, long-term agreements, capacity reservations, warranty terms and strategic supplier relationships.
• Own commercial lifecycle management for cells, electrodes, active materials and other strategic battery components from RFQ through series production and end-of-life.
• Build should-cost models and target-price frameworks; evaluate quotations, challenge assumptions, benchmark cost structures and define cost-down roadmaps.
• Monitor key raw-material markets and translate cost drivers, technology developments and market intelligence into sourcing decisions and business cases.
• Partner with Engineering, Program Management and Purchasing teams on customer RFQs, technology roadmaps, supplier capability assessments, design-to-cost, VA/VE and make-or-buy evaluations.
• Manage supplier and supply-chain risks, including capacity, financial exposure, geopolitical and raw-material dependencies, quality concerns and technology maturity; drive mitigation and business-continuity actions.
• Lead supplier workshops, productivity and localization initiatives, and provide clear reporting on category strategy, market trends, supplier readiness, risks, savings and mitigation plans.

What makes you a good fit

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Administration, Economics, Materials Science, Chemistry or a related field; a relevant master's degree is preferred.
• Minimum eight years of experience in strategic sourcing, commodity management, battery supply chain, cell procurement, cost management or a related procurement role.
• Deep knowledge of Li-ion, Na-ion and ultracapacitor technologies, cell manufacturing, electrode production and battery raw-material value chains.
• Proven expertise in should-cost modeling, cell pricing, commodity-index tracking, category strategy and complex global supplier negotiations.
• Experience in automotive, battery manufacturing, energy storage, electrification or another high-volume manufacturing environment; knowledge of APQP, PPAP and IATF 16949 is preferred.
• Strong analytical and financial acumen, strategic thinking and problem-solving skills, with the ability to turn technology and market insights into commercial decisions.
• Excellent stakeholder management, negotiation and executive communication skills, with the ability to lead and influence in a global matrix organization without direct authority.
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, SAP/ERP and analytics or cost-modeling tools; fluent English and willingness to travel internationally approximately 10-20%.

What we offer you

Input matters just as much as output. At Clarios, your passion, ingenuity and grit are valued. Our benefits philosophy reflects our commitment to caring for employees and recognizing their dedication, expertise and contribution.

• Exciting professional tasks and challenges in a diverse international environment with strong commitment to integrity, values, social engagement and sustainability.
• Arrange your working hours and breaks flexible via our flexible and trust-based working hours model and combine your professional and private life even better according to our mobile work policy and company kindergarten.
• A competitive remuneration package, including additional payments such as holiday, Christmas as well as company pension program.
• Your well-being is very important to us: Take advantage of our preventive health care offers such as fitness center, physiotherapist, modern office environment, healthy canteen, team and company events or hobby clubs.
• Stay fit whilst at the same time positively contributing to our environment: Lease your company bike.
• Our well-advanced onboarding process and buddy program supports you to quickly grow into the position and team. By using the offering in our Internal Learning Academy, LinkedIn Learning and EMEA Mentoring Program you will be able to further grow professionally and personally.
• Last, but not least we support you in relocating and finding a flat in location surrounding if applicable and depending on individual factors.

#LI-OG1

About Clarios

Clarios is the global leader in advanced, low-voltage battery technologies for mobility. Our batteries and smart solutions power nearly every type of vehicle and are found in 1 of 3 cars on the road today. With around 18,000 employees in over 100 countries, we bring deep expertise to our Aftermarket and OEM partners, and reliability, safety and comfort to everyday lives. We answer to the planet with a rigorous sustainability focus – advancing best-in-class sustainability practices and advocating for them across our industry. We work to ensure 100% of our products sold are recyclable, and we recycle 8,000 batteries an hour in our network. You can find more information here (PDF).

Equal Employment Opportunity

Clarios, LLC is an equal employment opportunity and affirmative action employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, status as a qualified individual with a disability, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information, please view EEO is the Law, EEO is the Law (supplement), and Pay Transparency Non-discrimination. If you are an individual with a disability and you require an accommodation during the application process, please email [e-mail].

A Note to Job Applicants

Please be aware of scams being perpetrated through the Internet and social media platforms. Clarios will never require a job applicant to pay money as part of the application or hiring process.