Sr. Director Direct Material & Value Capture

OUR CULTURE AND VALUES

We are guided by our passion to transform the way we power our world. Achieving our goals requires creativity, diversity of ideas and backgrounds, and building trust to effect change and move with speed.

We are Leading

Fluence currently has thousands of MW of energy storage projects operated or awarded worldwide in addition to the thousands of MW of projects managed by our trading platform—and we are growing every day.

We are Responsible

Fluence is defined by its unwavering commitment to safety, quality, and integrity.

We are Agile

We achieve our goals and meet our customer’s needs by cultivating curiosity, adaptability, and self-reflection in our teams.

We are Fun

We value the diversity in thought and experience of our coworkers and customers. Through honest, forthcoming, and respectful communications we work to ensure that Fluence is an inclusive and welcoming environment for all. 

About the Position:

Location: Arlington, VA (hybrid)

Key Responsibilities:

1. Strategic Leadership:

· Define and drive the overall procurement strategy aligned with the company’s goals, ensuring the procurement function contributes to value creation and cost savings.

· Lead efforts to optimize supplier performance and capture value from supplier relationships, focusing on cost reduction, quality improvement, and innovation.

· Implement strategies to identify new opportunities within the supplier base for collaboration, cost efficiencies, and process improvements.

2. Supplier Relationship Management (SRM):

· Develop and maintain strong partnerships with key suppliers, negotiating favorable terms and ensuring that suppliers align with business objectives and sustainability goals.

· Foster long-term, mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers by encouraging innovation and collaboration.

· Conduct supplier performance reviews and lead initiatives to enhance supplier capabilities.

3. Supplier Value Capture:

· Drive supplier productivity by promoting innovation and collaborative efforts to achieve cost efficiency and process improvements.

· Foster an environment of healthy competition within the procurement process to maximize value from suppliers and elevate overall supplier performance.

· Engage closely with suppliers to enhance strategic alignment and value capture, encouraging solutions that support both cost reductions and quality improvements.

· Identify and leverage best practices in supplier interactions, ensuring continuous alignment with business objectives and sustainable growth.

· Design, implement, and standardize advanced procurement methods and tools to drive consistency, transparency, and efficiency in supplier value capture across the organization.

· Lead the deployment of these tools, ensuring alignment with organizational objectives and accessibility across teams to support data-driven decision-making.

· Train and support team members and stakeholders on the use of new tools and methodologies to maximize impact and encourage adoption throughout the procurement function.

4. Risk Management & Compliance:

· Develop risk management strategies to minimize supply chain disruption and ensure continuity of supply for key goods and services.

· Ensure compliance with procurement policies, industry regulations, and ethical standards across the supplier network.

· Monitor trends and changes in the marketplace to proactively address potential risks or changes in supply chain dynamics.

5. Team Leadership & Development:

· Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing procurement team, fostering a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.

· Establish a strong talent pipeline through recruitment, training, and retention efforts.

· Promote cross-functional collaboration and knowledge-sharing within the organization to drive a shared vision for supplier value.

What an ideal candidate will bring to Fluence:

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field; MBA or equivalent advanced degree preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive experience in procurement, supply chain, or supplier management, with at least 5 years in a leadership role.
• Demonstrated success in implementing procurement strategies, managing supplier relationships, and delivering measurable value capture.
• Strong negotiation skills with experience managing multi-million dollar contracts and complex supplier agreements.
• Knowledge of procurement best practices, financial analysis, risk management, and compliance.
• Excellent communication, collaboration, and leadership skills with the ability to influence at all levels.
• Familiarity with procurement software and analytics tools; experience in digital procurement transformation is a plus.

Fluence IS AN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER and fully subscribes to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity to ensure that all applicants and employees are considered for hire, promotion, and job status without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, marital or familial status.