Senior Buyer BESS

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

• 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. Our lithium-ion batteries can be found in nearly one million electric vehicles worldwide and have a stellar safety record of zero-critical issues. AESC US is leading the way in battery technology. We design and manufacture EV battery technology for various electric vehicles and equipment.

We are working hard towards unlocking the full potential of sustainable energy and climate change mitigation. We will continue to build upon our successes and expand into new markets and industries, producing innovative and competitive products that advance the goal of a zero‑carbon emission future. AESC is headquartered in Japan and has battery manufacturing locations in Japan, UK, China and the U.S.

Our mission is to solve the challenges for a sustainable future. Together, we can make a meaningful impact.

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.

Reporting directly to the Sr. Manager, Direct Purchasing, in the Purchasing department, the Senior Buyer will be part of the Product Procurement Team. The role will support strategic procurement activities, including spend analysis, detailed savings initiatives, and the strategic sourcing process across commodities. Responsibilities include data analysis, project support and supplier localization strategy execution.

This cross‑functional role collaborates with engineering, operations, finance, quality, compliance and leadership to secure critical direct materials for battery, energy storage and electric vehicle programs. It supports New Product Introduction (NPI) and mass production by developing and executing sourcing strategies, managing supplier relationships, analysing cost structures and driving continuous improvement to enhance product development, cost optimisation, 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 tools such as SAP Ariba.
• Analyse 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 commercial relationship management including business reviews, contract enforcement, performance monitoring and risk mitigation.
• Drive expansion of the U.S. local supplier pool.
• Serve as the 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 decisions.
• Support NPI and prototype builds with timely sourcing of advanced and emerging battery technologies.
• Track and report on key procurement metrics such as cost savings, supplier performance and sourcing risk.
• Contribute to continuous improvement programmes focused on lead‑time reduction, working capital improvement and supply chain sustainability.
• Ensure compliance with international trade, ESG and industry‑specific standards (IATF
  16949, ISO
  14001, RoHS, etc.).

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical/Electrical Engineering, Supply Chain, Industrial Technology or a related technical field. Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• 5–7 years of experience in direct purchasing, sourcing or supply chain within battery, automotive, energy or electronics manufacturing.
• Strong understanding of BESS and EV battery value chains, including raw materials (cathode, anode, electrolyte),…