Category Manager Contract Manufacturing

As Category Manager Contract Manufacturing you will be responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies for contract manufacturing partners supporting Fluences integrated energy storage and power systems. You will own supplier commercialization contract negotiations cost optimization initiatives and supply risk management while working closely with Engineering Operations Quality Finance and Program teams.

This role is ideal for a strategic procurement leader with strong contract manufacturing experience who can balance commercial operational and technical requirements while driving business results in a rapidly evolving industry.

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.

• Make timely decisions and drive outcomes during rapidly changing business conditions.

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

• Bachelors 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

• Have significant experience working within contract manufacturing environments.

• Thrive in fast-paced high-growth organizations where priorities and business needs can shift quickly.

• Demonstrate exceptional adaptability and resilience when navigating daily operational challenges.

• Are comfortable making decisions and driving results in situations involving ambiguity and evolving priorities.

• Have a proven ability to solve complex supply chain issues while balancing commercial technical and operational considerations.

• Can effectively influence stakeholders at all levels including executive leadership and external supplier partners.

• 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.