Director, Global Category Management, Power Conversion & Electrical Systems

Role Summary

The Director, Power Conversion & Electrical Systems owns Fluence's global category strategy and commercial execution across the AC power electronics portfolio, including power conversion systems, inverters, transformers, UPS, and electrical and electronic controls. The role also owns the Advanced Procurement function, which partners with Engineering and Product on new product introduction, early supplier involvement, and design for cost.

This is one of two Director level category leaders reporting to the Vice President, Power and Systems. Together the two roles cover Fluence's full non battery direct materials portfolio, which represents approximately $1.2B in annual spend today and is expected to exceed $5B within three years.

Cost is a primary measure of success. The role is expected to convert rising volume into year over year unit cost reduction rather than proportional cost growth.

Scope

• Power Conversion Systems and Inverters: Core AC power electronics for Fluence energy storage products.
• Transformers and UPS: Medium and high voltage transformers, uninterruptible power supply, and associated electrical equipment.
• Electrical and Electronic Controls: Control hardware and electrical assemblies supporting the power train.
• Advanced Procurement: Procurement engineering embedded in new product introduction, early supplier involvement, sourceability, and design for cost.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and evolve the multiyear category strategy, including commodity segmentation, make or buy decisions, and regional supply balance.
• Build and maintain a globally diversified supply base, and rationalize the supplier portfolio.
• Own the cost structure for the category and deliver the annual cost reduction target.
• Negotiate tiered pricing, master supply agreements, long term agreements, and volume commitment structures with Tier 1 and emerging suppliers.
• Build should cost models and clean sheet analyses to support negotiation.
• Ensure supply continuity, including capacity planning, allocation management, and second source qualification.
• Lead category risk strategy covering geopolitical exposure, single and sole source dependencies, and raw material volatility.
• Own the Advanced Procurement function and embed procurement engineering in new product introduction programs.
• Lead, coach, and develop a team of senior Category Managers and Specialists.
• Serve as the procurement voice into Engineering, Product, Manufacturing, Quality, Finance, and Legal.

Qualifications

• 12+ years in strategic sourcing, category management, or supply chain leadership, including 4+ years managing teams.
• Track record leading global category work in high growth, complex hardware manufacturing environments.
• Ownership of at least $250M in annual category spend, with measurable cost performance.
• Deep familiarity with power electronics supply chains, including PCS, inverters, transformers, and electrical controls.
• Experience negotiating multiyear supplier agreements, including volume commitments, non recurring engineering, and performance terms.
• Experience leading advanced procurement or procurement engineering.
• Strong financial acumen across TCO, should cost, and PPV.
• Familiarity with IRA manufacturing requirements, FEOC rules, and domestic content compliance preferred.
• Bachelor degree required. MBA or advanced technical degree preferred.

Location and Travel

• Based in Houston, Texas, with an expectation of 3 to 4 days per week in the office.
• Travel of 25 to 35 percent, domestic and international.

Work Authorization

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship. Fluence does not sponsor work visas for this position.