(Sr.) Strategic Buyer (m/f/d)

About Fluence: Fluence Energy, Inc. (Nasdaq: FLNC) is a global market leader in energy storage products and services, and optimization software for renewables and storage. With a presence in over 47 markets globally, Fluence provides an ecosystem of offerings to drive the clean energy transition, including modular, scalable energy storage products, comprehensive service offerings, and the Fluence IQ Platform, which delivers AI-enabled SaaS products for managing and optimizing renewables and storage from any provider. Fluence is transforming the way we power our world by helping customers create more resilient and sustainable electric grids.

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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. 

We have 2 openings. The hiring can be hybrid in Berlin or Erlangen, or Remote from within Germany.

As a Strategic Buyer you will support our fast-growing business in EMEA, and you will work in a regional responsibility to implement our Procurement strategy together with your international colleagues. You will be based remotely, and work in a team with Sales Teams and Project Team Members from different countries and report to the Manager Strategic Procurement and Transformation EMEA.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and lead the execution of EMEA Procurement Strategy that supports Fluence Business Growth objectives and Business expectations for Supplier OTD, Supplier Quality, Supplier Lead Times, and Material / Services Productivity. This would include actions to rationalize the supply base; establish, maintain and improve supplier relationships; implement Supplier Agreements; drive increased sourcing from lower cost/high quality sources and leverage the material spend across all EMEA business units.

• Establish a network of support resources within EMEA to facilitate Procurement improvements and leverage supplier capabilities in product design, cost reduction, lead time reduction while maintaining customer satisfaction. In addition, working closely with the EMEA Sales team, Sales Engineering, Project Management, Solution Engineering and Finance teams to proactively identify and develop external capability to support strategic in-sourcing or out-sourcing opportunities.

• Support Supplier chronic or major performance issues in a timely manner to ensure minimal business disruption. Champion resolving all serious supply issues via appropriate methodology by consulting or supporting other Fluence teams. This can include on the ground troubleshooting of key constraints.

•  frequent competitive bids, analyze costs and negotiate/award contracts to nominated Key Suppliers, based on robust and up to date Regional Strategies and Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis to support EMEA business units and Fluence overall.

• In line with the focus on Fluence Operational Excellence, improve efficiencies that result in significant benefits (Growth, Quality, Delivery and Cost) throughout the Fluence Procurement and Supply Chain processes.

• Drive continuous improvement in the supply base by communicating objective performance metrics, (including Supplier Scorecards) via a minimum of Quarterly Business Reviews with key Suppliers focused on lead time reduction, on-time delivery improvement, quality improvement, cost reduction, service, and compliance.

• Engender a spirit of cooperation throughout Fluence teams and suppliers, to ensure a collaborative and sustainable relationship.

• Ensure proper breakdown of part specification, revision changes, quality, and inspection requirement.

• Support Procurement transformation initiatives including successful implementation of or modifications to our Enterprise Resource Planning software and other business software.

Skills& Qualifications:

A bachelor’s or master’s degree, preferably in engineering or supply chain discipline. The ideal candidate will have several years of experience in strategic procurement, contract negotiation and project management in Electrical/Civil installation projects.

Required

• 3+ years of strategic procurement experience.

• Experience in category management, vendor management such as site visits, supplier audits, negotiations, contract agreements would be preferred. Travel will be required, and relationships need to be established.

• A good understanding of practices within the life cycle of a project as well as business processes would be preferred.

• Familiar with business law and procurement practices int he UK and the European Union.

• Strong communication and influencing skills.

• Ability to learn new systems, meet objectives and work independently in a matrix organization, self-sustaining.

• The candidate must have excellent interpersonal skills; able to converse well with peers, Fluence Leadership and Supplier Leadership. They must be diplomatic yet persistent, where necessary, to ensure timely execution.

• Excellent negotiation skills are paramount to success. The candidate should be able to articulate previous negotiations from conception, planning, people involved, success and any lessons learnt.

• Proven ability to ensure material availability, while ensuring best TCO, quality, delivery and contractual terms.

• Analytical thinker with excellent problem-solving skills and the ability to adapt to changing priorities and deadlines. This requires strong priority setting skills.

• Proficient Microsoft Office Suite skills (Outlook, Word,Excel, PowerPoint).

• Knowledge of SAP ERP and Business Intelligence tools preferred.

• Strong written and verbal communication/presentation skills in English is a must, additional German or other European languages is a plus.

• Demonstrated ability working in a matrixed and global organization.

Required travel: Approximately 25% travel, including international travel

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.