Lead Procurement Manager

About Focused Energy:

Focused Energy is the leading laser-driven fusion company pursuing the most promising path to clean, limitless fusion power. Founded by renowned fusion experts who achieved ignition and pioneered groundbreaking concepts, we are committed to powering the next step-function change for civilization through fusion energy. Our mission is to collaborate with innovators shaping the most promising path to clean, abundant energy, accelerate sustainability, and unlock an era of boundless possibilities for humanity. With state-of-the-art facilities, including a target lab and laser test facility in Darmstadt, Germany, we are driving innovation in laser and target technologies to develop the world's first commercial fusion energy solutions.

Role Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Lead Procurement Manager to join our team and support our mission by managing the procurement of critical equipment and materials for our laser fusion projects. In this role, you will play a key part in ensuring timely and cost-effective sourcing from global suppliers, negotiating favorable terms, and overseeing logistics to keep our innovative work on track.

What you’ll do:

• Sourcing strategy and supply chain risk mitigation.

• Provide strategic direction for global procurement within assigned commodity group(s), aligning procurement strategy with Science & Technology teams to achieve business goals.

• Onboard and qualify suppliers to support new technologies and New Product Introductions (NPI).

• Design and architect supply chains that consistently deliver products meeting or exceeding expectations for quality, delivery, and value, based on input from Business Units and Science & Technology teams.

• Review supplier quotations to ensure competitiveness and compliance with requirements.

• Ensure compliance with corporate policies, ethical standards, and applicable international trade regulations.

Cost management and DFx:

• Product material cost management: Analyze BOM cost to identify cost reduction opportunities through design, content reduction/should cost and commercial means.

• Track and ensure timely implementation of cost-saving opportunities.

• Facilitate early engagement between supplier and Science & Technology teams to drive manufacturability, repeatability cost and lead time improvements.

Operation and Planning:

• Own the execution of strategic initiatives and daily operations of procurement.

• Approve, organize, and direct procurement policies and procedures.

• Generate purchase orders (POs) in our internal system and track procurement progress to ensure timely delivery.

• Ensure successful production transitions meet program goals.

• Oversee supply chain commitments, ensuring plans are developed and executed while mitigating risks for assigned products and suppliers.

• International and domestic travel required.

Who you are:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Industrial Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations Engineering or other relevant field or equivalent practical experience

• Up to 8 years of prior experience in Supply Chain, Sourcing, Project Management, or equivalent experience.

• Lead Global Procurement transformation projects working directly with the suppliers, stakeholders and business partners to execute on defined scope, budget and transformation results.

• Semiconductor, Photonics, and Optics experience is highly desirable; as is international experience, especially with companies located in North America, Europe, and Southeast Asia.

• Demonstrated knowledge and application of contract and purchasing law, including domestic and international terms and conditions.

• Understanding of program milestones and design/development phase gating processes.

• Requires exceptional written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills, analytical ability, decision making, and organizational skills

• Strong process analysis and problem-solving skills. Self-motivated, goal oriented, task driven team player.

• Skilled user of Microsoft Office suite of business software: Word, Excel, Project and Power Point.

• Able to travel globally, flexible for new assignments.

Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.