Purchasing and Procurement Manager

About the role

Blue Current (the "Company") is the industry leader in the development of silicon solid state batteries. Free of flammable liquid electrolytes, Blue Current's fully dry, inherently safe batteries significantly reduce risks to human and environmental health while providing a higher-performance alternative to traditional lithium-ion batteries. Blue Current's silicon-based platform is highly adaptable, enabling a cost-effective solution for both the mobility and stationary storage markets. Blue Current's team works out of its state-of-the-art headquarters and pilot line facility in Hayward, California. To learn more about Blue Current, Inc., visit http://bluecurrent.com.

Responsibilities

• Purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and supplier communications for office supplies, facilities needs, and technical and operational materials across departments.
• Ensure timely procurement of materials required for R&D, pilot builds, and production.
• Maintain purchasing records, contracts, and supplier documentation.
• Monitor supplier delivery performance and proactively address shortages or delays.
• Collaborate with inventory planning to optimize stock levels and working capital.
• Source and qualify suppliers for direct materials, components, equipment, and services.
• Develop sourcing strategies to reduce costs and mitigate supply chain risk.
• Identify alternate suppliers and dual-source opportunities.
• Partner closely with divisions to support new product introduction (NPI) programs and efficiencies.
• Prepare for manufacturing activities to ensure uninterrupted production operations.
• Collaborate with teams on supplier quality issues and qualification requirements.
• Coordinate with Finance regarding reporting, budgets, forecasts, payment terms, and accruals.
• Develop and improve procurement policies, controls, and procedures.
• Support purchasing system enhancements.
• Establish KPI reporting for procurement performance.
• Drive cost savings and process efficiency initiatives.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of experience in a purchasing and procurement focused role.
• Strong financial analysis skills.
• Process oriented; familiar with best practices.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; able to interface with Senior Management.
• Strong problem solving skills.
• Understanding of risk management.
• Excellent negotiating skills.
• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations, or related field preferred.
• Experience in a manufacturing, startup, or high-growth environment where things move fast and processes are still being built.
• Experience purchasing mechanical, electrical, and custom-engineered components and equipment.
• Experience building Procurement systems from the ground up.
• Exposure to multiple purchase orders and ERP systems.