Strategic Procurement Manager - Indirect Materials

Overview Do you want to join a team that's changing the world? Do you have a strong background as a Procurement Manager? Then we're looking for you! Check out the job description and apply now! Put your skills to meaningful use, gain unique experience, and work with world-class team members with diverse backgrounds and expertise who share the same vision. Join the PECNA team today! Responsibilities Procurement Manager ( by clicking this link you are being referred to an external site that is not part of Panasonic ) Meet the Recruiter: Eric Laffey Summary: Join us at Panasonic Energy as we expand to De Soto, Kansas, where we’re building the world’s largest lithium-ion battery factory. This is an exciting opportunity to grow your career while contributing to the future of electric vehicles. As part of our team, you’ll help push the limits of battery technology, enhancing performance and efficiency in sustainable transportation. Our state-of-the-art facility, just outside the Kansas City Metro, will be a hub for innovation in green energy solutions. If you're passionate about sustainability and eager to contribute to the electric vehicle revolution, we invite you to be part of our dynamic team. Join us and make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation. Job Summary: The Procurement Manager leads category management and strategic sourcing initiatives to optimize cost, quality, delivery, and innovation across the organization for indirect materials and services, including construction-related services. This scope includes materials that do not go into battery cells and business-critical services not directly tied to battery cell production, such as IT, facility maintenance, and production equipment maintenance. The role is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies, negotiating complex agreements, and managing supplier performance to deliver long-term value and operational excellence. Partnering cross-functionally, the Procurement Manager aligns procurement activities with business objectives by leveraging data analytics and market intelligence to support informed decision-making while driving continuous improvement, risk mitigation, and supplier innovation. The role also plays a key part in advancing sustainability, diversity, and compliance initiatives to strengthen overall supply chain and procurement performance. Essential Duties: Functional Leadership & Operations: Lead category management and strategic sourcing initiatives to optimize cost, quality, and supply continuity Develop and execute sourcing strategies, including RFx processes, supplier selection, and contract negotiations Manage supplier performance through governance processes, scorecards, and continuous improvement actions Oversee procurement analytics, including spend analysis, cost modeling, and financial evaluations Ensure adherence to procurement policies, procedures, and best practices Strategic Alignment & Continuous Improvement: Align procurement strategies with business objectives to deliver total value beyond cost savings Identify and implement process improvements, demand management strategies, and cost optimization initiatives Leverage market intelligence, supplier innovation, and industry trends to inform sourcing decisions Develop data-driven business cases to support strategic initiatives Team Development & Knowledge Sharing: Foster a high-performance culture focused on accountability, collaboration, and continuous learning Promote knowledge sharing of category strategies, market insights, and best practices Support development of procurement tools, capabilities, and methodologies Cross-Functional Collaboration & Stakeholder Engagement: Partner with stakeholders across engineering, operations, and finance to align sourcing strategies Influence decision-making through data-driven insights and strategic recommendations Build strong internal and external relationships to drive supplier performance and innovation Quality, Safety, Compliance, & Risk Management: Ensure compliance with procurement policies, contracts, and regulatory requirements Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including supplier performance and market volatility Support safety and environmental initiatives, including adherence to PPE requirements as applicable Drive supplier quality, service reliability, and risk management practices Supervisory Responsibilities: Provide direct and indirect leadership for the procurement team, including setting strategic direction, establishing performance expectations, driving accountability, and ensuring alignment with organizational goals Responsible for talent planning, performance management, coaching, development, and succession planning Travel Requirement: Travel as needed to support supplier engagement, sourcing initiatives, and business operations Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requirements: To ensure health and safety in the workplace and for employee protection, wearing PPE is required and includes equipment such as a full Tyvek suit, safety shoes, gloves, safety glasses, face mask, and a full hazmat suit that includes a respirator. A respirator fit test will be required based on functional area. The foregoing description is not intended and should not be construed to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, skills and efforts or work conditions associated with the job. It is intended to be an accurate reflection of the general nature and level of the job. Qualifications Requirements - Required and/or Preferred Education, Certifications, and Licenses: Required: Bachelor’s Degree in Supply Chain, Business, Finance, Engineering, Operations, or related field Relevant experience may be substituted for required education Preferred: Master’s Degree (MBA, Supply Chain, Operations, or Engineering) Professional certifications (e.g., CPSM, CSCP, CPIM, or equivalent) Lean Six Sigma certification (Green Belt or higher) Contract management or commercial negotiation certifications Essential Qualifications: 5+ years of progressive procurement leadership experience Proven experience in category management, strategic sourcing, and supplier relationship management Strong analytical and financial modeling capabilities Demonstrated success driving cost savings and value-generating initiatives Knowledge of Lean Six Sigma or continuous improvement principles Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management skills Proven ability to lead cross-functional initiatives and deliver business results Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English Alignment to Panasonic’s seven (7) core principles (contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, gratitude) Preferred Qualifications: 7+ years of procurement leadership experience managing teams in high-volume manufacturing environments (battery, electronics, automotive, or related industries) Strong contract negotiation and commercial strategy expertise Advanced analytics skills (e.g., Excel, Power BI, Tableau) supporting data-driven decision making Experience with ERP and procurement systems (e.g., SAP, Ariba, Coupa) Proven cost modeling expertise (should-cost, total cost of ownership, cost breakdown analysis) Experience with global sourcing and supply chain risk management Background in supplier innovation, new product introduction (NPI), or engineering collaboration (design-to-cost) Experience leading digital or procurement transformation initiatives Strong financial acumen, including budgeting, forecasting, and cost control Change management experience leading cross-functional initiatives Knowledge of sustainability, ESG, or supplier diversity programs Experience with business continuity planning and supply risk mitigation Exposure to CAPEX, logistics, or indirect procurement categories Experience working in regulated or highly complex industries Physical Demands: Physical Activities: Percentage of time (equaling 100%) during the normal workday the employee is required to: Sit: 40% Walk: 30% Stand: 30% Required Lifting and Carrying: Rare ( For this position, the required frequency is: Up to 10 lbs.: Occasional Up to 20 lbs.: Occasional Up to 35 lbs.: Rare Team-lift only (over 35 lbs.): Rare Where You'll Be: For our onsite roles, Panasonic Energy is committed to fostering an ideal working environment that goes beyond the conventional. We understand the significance of moments that matter in your onsite experience, and we prioritize creating a workspace that not only promotes productivity but also ensures a fulfilling and positive work atmosphere. Join us at Panasonic Energy, where your onsite presence is valued, and we strive to make each moment count in your professional journey. Who We Are: Meet Panasonic Energy! At Panasonic Energy, you'll do work that matters as we are dedicated to transforming the world through the acceleration of sustainable energy. By producing safe, high-quality lithium-ion batteries, you become part of a team that plays a crucial role in creating technologies that move us. Our journey began in 2017, and now, as the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory, we are expanding operations to De Soto, Kansas, providing you with the opportunity to experience career growth in more ways than one. As an innovative thinker, you'll thrive here, as we continually push the boundaries of lithium-ion battery technology and production capabilities to enhance efficiency and performance in EVs. Being part of Panasonic Energy means positively contributing to society, aligning with our commitment to building a better world through sustainable energy solutions. We care about what you care about, fostering an environment where your contributions make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation. Join us and be part of a team that values your work, encourages innovation, and actively contributes to a positive societal impact. In addition to an environment that is as innovative as our products, we offer competitive salaries and benefits. We Take Opportunity Seriously: At Panasonic Energy, we are committed to a workplace that genuinely fosters inclusion and belonging. Fairness and Honesty have been part of our core values for more than 100 years and we are proud of our diverse culture as an equal opportunity employer. We understand that your career search may look different than others and embrace the professional, personal, educational, and volunteer opportunities through which people gain experience. If you are actively looking or starting to explore new opportunities, submit your application! Supplemental Information: Pre-employment drug testing is required. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law. All qualified individuals are required to perform the essential functions of the job with or without reasonable accommodation. Due to the high volume of responses, we will only be able to respond to candidates of interest. All candidates must have valid authorization to work in the U.S. without restriction. Thank you for your interest in Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America.

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