Senior Buyer- cell materials

Senior Buyer, Direct Purchasing - BESS

AESC is looking to add a Senior Buyer, Direct Purchasing- BESS to our team in Murfreesboro, TN.

Job Type:
Full-Time, On-site

AESC is an exciting, newly created global organization committed to solving the challenges of a sustainable future and becoming the leading supplier of full-value-chain battery solutions. We design and manufacture EV battery technology for various vehicles and equipment and operate globally with locations in Japan, the U.K., China, and the U.S.

We are seeking a highly driven and technically proficient Senior Buyer – Direct Purchasing to lead sourcing and procurement for Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and Electric Vehicle (EV) battery technologies, including battery electrode materials, cells, modules, packs, and DC/AC systems. This role reports to the Sr. Manager, Direct Purchasing, within the Product Procurement Team and supports strategic procurement activities across commodities, including spend analysis, savings initiatives, and strategic sourcing processes.

This cross-functional role collaborates with engineering, operations, finance, quality, compliance, and leadership to secure direct materials for battery, energy storage, and EV programs. It supports NPI and mass production by developing and executing sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, analyzing cost structures, and driving continuous improvement for cost, supplier performance, and supply chain resilience across global teams.

• Lead strategic sourcing initiatives for EV and BESS battery components (electrode, cell, module, pack, DC/AC).
• Execute RFQ/RFP processes, cost breakdown analysis, and supplier selection using SAP Ariba or similar tools.
• Analyze spending data, develop category strategies, and drive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) decisions.
• Negotiate master purchasing agreements, pricing, delivery terms, and warranties with local and global suppliers.
• Lead supplier relationship management, including business reviews, contract enforcement, performance monitoring, and risk mitigation.
• Drive expansion of U.S. local supplier pool; serve as primary escalation point for supplier issues related to cost, quality, and delivery.
• Translate technical drawings, BOMs, and specs into sourcing requirements; partner with Engineering and R&D to influence design-for-cost and manufacturability.
• Support NPI and prototype builds with timely sourcing of advanced and emerging battery technologies.
• Track and report procurement metrics such as cost savings, supplier performance, and sourcing risk.
• Contribute to continuous improvement programs focused on lead time reduction, working capital improvement, and sustainability.
• Ensure compliance with international trade, ESG, and industry standards (IATF
  16949, ISO
  14001, RoHS, etc.).

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Supply Chain, Industrial Technology, or related field. Master’s Degree or MBA preferred.
• 5–7 years of direct purchasing, sourcing, or supply chain experience in battery, automotive, energy, or electronics manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of BESS and EV battery value chains and supporting systems.
• Proven success in contract negotiation, cost modeling, and supplier development.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specs, and manufacturing processes.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle, Net Suite) and e-sourcing tools (e.g., Ariba).
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to influence at multiple levels.
• Self-starter, highly organized, with problem-solving skills and business acumen.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (up to 30%).
• Ability to manage large data sets and drive data-informed decisions.
• Quality standards knowledge (IATF
  16949, VDA 6.3) and continuous improvement mindset.

We offer a comprehensive compensation package and benefits, including 401K with company match, health insurance, and additional programs to support professional and personal development. Our environment is inclusive, highly automated, clean, safe, and temperature-controlled.

• Inclusive and diverse work…