Head of Procurement (Virtual Position)

Indirect Purchasing Manager

Join us at Panasonic Energy as we expand to De Soto, Kansas, where we're building the world's largest lithium-ion battery factory. 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. Join us and make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation.

The Indirect Purchasing Manager is a recognized procurement expert responsible for developing, implementing, and sustaining end-to-end purchasing strategies across a broad range of indirect spend categories, including professional services, contingent labor, MRO, manufacturing equipment, consumables, facilities operations, and related services. This role drives value beyond cost savings by integrating data-driven decision-making, supplier performance management, demand optimization, process improvement, and risk mitigation. The position partners cross-functionally with internal stakeholders, suppliers, and global teams to optimize purchasing operations, enhance system integration, and improve inventory and receiving processes. The role emphasizes continuous improvement, compliance with procurement policies, and the application of advanced analytics to support operational excellence and business outcomes in a complex manufacturing environment.

Functional Leadership & Operations: Lead and oversee end-to-end indirect purchasing operations, providing subject-matter expertise across assigned indirect spend categories to ensure optimized cost, service, and operational performance.

Develop and execute indirect category strategies informed by spend analytics, supply market intelligence, total cost of ownership analysis, and business requirements.

Support cross-site resource planning and task alignment between Kansas and Nevada operations to enable continuity, flexibility, and effective workload distribution.

Build and maintain strong partnerships with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to ensure procurement solutions align with business needs and operational priorities.

Quality, Safety, Compliance, & Risk Management: Enforce compliance with procurement policies, procedures, and internal controls while promoting adoption and standardization across the organization.

This position will have direct and indirect reports and provides strategic direction, guidance, and performance oversight to ensure alignment with organizational goals.

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, Finance, or a related STEM or business discipline Relevant work experience may be substituted for required education

Preferred Education, Certifications, and Licenses: Master's degree (MBA or MS) in a related discipline ISM CPSM Lean Six Sigma Certification (Green Belt or higher)

Essential Qualifications: 5+ years of progressive indirect purchasing or procurement leadership experience, with demonstrated accountability for end-to-end category ownership and business outcomes Proven experience developing and executing indirect procurement strategies, including category strategy development, supplier segmentation, and value delivery beyond cost savings Demonstrated success leading complex negotiations and managing commercial risk through effective contract structures and supplier governance Strong working knowledge of Lean, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement methodologies, with experience supporting manufacturing or operational improvement initiatives Advanced analytical and financial acumen, including the ability to analyze spend data, identify cost drivers, evaluate total cost of ownership, and support data-driven decision-making Experience managing procurement projects and initiatives involving multiple stakeholders, competing priorities, and tight timelines Strong stakeholder engagement skills, with a proven ability to influence cross-functional partners and senior leaders without direct authority Experience utilizing supplier relationship management (SRM) tools, performance scorecards, and formal supplier review processes (e.g., QBRs) High proficiency with procurement and sourcing technologies, including e-sourcing platforms, ERP systems (e.g., SAP or Ariba), and advanced Excel-based analysis Demonstrated ability to operate effectively in global, matrixed organizations, including collaboration with offshore or remote teams Excellent written, verbal, and presentation skills, with experience facilitating meetings, leading executive-level discussions, and presenting recommendations 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 progressive purchasing leadership experience Bilingual or multilingual capabilities (e.g., Japanese, Spanish) Experience in high-volume manufacturing procurement, preferably within the energy storage, automotive, or electronics industries Experience leveraging data, analytics, or digital procurement tools to improve spend visibility, supplier performance, or demand management Experience supporting procurement system implementations, upgrades, or process transformations (e.g., ERP, e-sourcing, or supplier management platforms) Exposure to sourcing or managing indirect spend related to capital equipment, facilities, or large-scale manufacturing operations Experience supporting supplier risk management, business continuity, or procurement resilience initiatives

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 (%), Benefits & Perks - What's In It For You: Panasonic Energy prioritizes total well-being and offers comprehensive benefits options to support physical, emotional, financial, social, and environmental health: Health Benefits Offering medical, dental, vision, prescription plans, plus Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options. Voluntary Benefits Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance. Panasonic Retirement Savings & Investment Plan (PRSIP) 401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting. Paid Time-Off Benefits Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave. Educational Assistance Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service. Health Management and Wellbeing Programs Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources. Employee Recognition Program - High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition Annual Bonus Program - Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus. On-site Food Options: Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events.