Category Manager - Contract Manufacturing

Role Overview

We are seeking an experienced Category Manager – Contract Manufacturing to lead sourcing and supplier strategies for our growing portfolio of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) products. This is a highly visible role for a senior procurement professional who thrives in a fast-paced, dynamic environment and enjoys solving complex supply chain challenges on a global scale.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead Category Strategy & Supplier Relationships
  Develop and execute sourcing strategies for contract manufacturing categories including electrical integration, system assemblies, metals fabrication, and enclosures.
  Identify, qualify, and onboard new suppliers while supporting dual-source and regionalization strategies.
  Build and manage strategic supplier relationships to ensure cost competitiveness, quality performance, scalability, and supply continuity.
  Conduct supplier business reviews and performance management activities. Drive Commercial Excellence
  Lead negotiations for pricing, payment terms, capacity reservations, tooling investments, and risk-sharing agreements.
  Own commercial contracts including Master Supply Agreements (MSAs), Statements of Work (SOWs), Long-Term Agreements (LTAs), and pricing negotiations.
  Support commercial resolution of obsolescence, End-of-Life (EOL), and Last-Time-Buy scenarios.
  Deliver measurable value through commercial leadership and supplier management.

• Partner Across the Business
  Act as the primary procurement interface for Engineering, Operations, Quality, Program Management, and Finance.
  Support New Product Introductions (NPI), product transitions, manufacturing transfers, and supplier ramp-up activities.
  Align sourcing decisions with production plans, demand forecasts, and program milestones.

• Deliver Cost Savings & Value Creation
  Lead cost reduction initiatives through should-cost analysis, design-for-manufacturing collaboration, and volume leverage opportunities.
  Identify and drive value capture, cost avoidance, and continuous improvement initiatives.
  Track and communicate sourcing performance and cost-saving results.

• Manage Risk & Ensure Supply Continuity
  Proactively identify supplier, capacity, operational, and geopolitical risks.
  Develop mitigation strategies and contingency plans to maintain uninterrupted supply.
  Lead cross-functional issue resolution and recovery efforts during supply disruptions or quality events.

• Ensure Compliance & Governance
  Ensure suppliers meet Fluence standards for quality, sustainability, regulatory compliance, and domestic content requirements where applicable.
  Partner with Legal, Finance, and Compliance teams to ensure contractual integrity and audit readiness.

Required Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• 7+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, category management, or supply chain leadership.
• Proven experience managing contract manufacturers, fabrication suppliers, or complex manufacturing supply chains.
• Strong track record leading complex commercial and contractual negotiations.
• Experience working cross-functionally with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Program teams.
• Experience supporting manufacturing transfers, supplier onboarding, and New Product Introductions (NPI).
• Strong analytical, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.

Highly Desired Experience

• Significant experience working within contract manufacturing environments.
• Thriving in fast-paced, high-growth organizations where priorities and business needs can shift quickly.
• Demonstrate exceptional adaptability and resilience when navigating daily operational challenges.
• Comfortable making decisions and driving results in situations involving ambiguity and evolving priorities.
• Bring experience from industries such as energy storage, renewables, power electronics, industrial equipment, electronics manufacturing, automotive, or other complex manufacturing environments.

Success in This Role

• You Will Be Successful If You Are A strategic thinker who can also execute with urgency.
• Comfortable operating in a dynamic environment with competing priorities.
• Highly organized and able to manage multiple critical initiatives simultaneously.
• A confident negotiator and relationship builder.
• Driven by continuous improvement and delivering measurable business value.
• Passionate about building resilient supply chains that support the clean energy transition.

Travel & Work Environment

Hybrid or remote working environment. Approximately 40% travel, primarily to supplier and manufacturing locations. Ability to collaborate effectively across global teams and time zones.

Culture at Fluence

At Fluence, our culture is the foundation that drives our ambitious growth strategy and fuels our mission to transform the future of energy. Our core cultural pillars empower us to innovate, collaborate, and lead with purpose, ensuring we continue to deliver unparalleled value to our customers and the world.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and welcome qualified applicants of all backgrounds. We do not sponsor work visas for this position.