Head of Direct Procurement, Battery Energy Systems

Ford; Dearborn (MI); On-site; USD 142,000 - 268,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Vehicle discount program

Tuition assistance

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Job summary

Ford Energy is seeking a Sr, Group Manager – Direct Procurement to lead the direct materials procurement team for battery energy storage systems. You will set sourcing strategy, govern supplier partnerships, and drive cost reductions across power electronics, thermal systems, battery packs, and enclosures.

You will manage a team of procurement professionals, establish budgets, and partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality to meet aggressive program milestones and profitability targets.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Purchasing, Business Administration, or Engineering.
• 10+ years of direct procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, or supplier commercial experience.
• 3+ years of formal people leadership experience, managing procurement professionals, category managers, or teams.
• 3+ years of experience in automotive, battery energy storage systems (BESS), power electronics, industrial equipment, or high-volume manufacturing.
• 3+ years of commercial experience across complex commodities (e.g., power electronics, inverters, thermal management, lithium-ion battery cells/modules, enclosures, or HV distribution).
• 25% travel (Domestic and International).

Responsibilities

• Build, lead, and develop a department of procurement managers, category leads, and sourcing specialists with significant independence.
• Define departmental budgets, resource allocation, and operating priorities for rapid scaling.
• Define and drive mid- to long-term direct procurement strategy and policies across major BESS subsystems.
• Translate business goals into actionable category plans and cost-reduction roadmaps.
• Own overall commercial accountability and financial performance for direct procurement spend; lead negotiations on contracts and IP terms.
• Oversee supplier industrialization, ramp, and risk-management to ensure continuity and performance.

Skills

People leadership

Procurement strategy

Commercial negotiations

Cross-functional collaboration

Cost reduction

Education

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Purchasing, Business Administration, Engineering

Job description

Ford Energy is seeking a Sr, Group Manager – Direct Procurement to lead the direct materials procurement team for battery energy storage systems. You will set sourcing strategy, govern supplier partnerships, and drive cost reductions across power electronics, thermal systems, battery packs, and enclosures.

You will manage a team of procurement professionals, establish budgets, and partner with Engineering, Manufacturing, and Quality to meet aggressive program milestones and profitability targets.