Purchasing and Procurement Manager
$92k - $114k
Senior
Bachelor's
Hayward, CA, USA
In PersonFully onsite in Hayward, California.
Operations & LogisticsProcurement & Sourcing
No H1B Sponsorship
About the job
Requirements
- Strong financial analysis skills.
- A process-oriented approach and familiarity with best practices.
- Written and verbal communication skills sufficient to interface with senior management.
- Strong problem-solving skills.
- Understanding of risk management.
- Negotiating skills.
- At least 5 years of experience in a purchasing and procurement-focused role.
- Ability and desire to own and build an effective and efficient purchasing and procurement function and workflows.
- Demonstrated experience managing multiple priorities simultaneously in a high-growth environment.
- A strong track record of contract negotiations and supporting budgeting processes and outcomes.
- Understanding of bill of materials structures, inventory management, and manufacturing processes.
- Familiarity with supplier quality management principles.
- Strong Excel and data analysis skills.
- Direct experience using and managing purchasing and procurement software platforms; Precoro experience is a plus.
- Clear, professional, and appropriately concise written and verbal communication skills.
- Must be based in or able to reliably commute to Hayward, California; the role is fully onsite.
- Demonstrated commitment to maintaining a safe and secure work environment, including adherence to workplace safety protocols, data privacy standards, and confidentiality requirements.
- Ability to identify and appropriately escalate potential risks to personnel, customers, or sensitive information.
- Ability to communicate and collaborate effectively with individuals of diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and working styles.
- Track record of maintaining professionalism, integrity, and discretion in workplace interactions.
- Ability to independently prioritize, execute, and follow through on responsibilities with minimal supervision.
- Track record of setting measurable goals, meeting deadlines, and taking initiative to resolve challenges proactively.
- Commitment to quality and continuous improvement in delivering work product, solutions, and outcomes within the area of expertise.
- Ability to evaluate options critically and apply sound judgment to identify effective and scalable solutions.
- Ability to quickly acquire new skills, tools, or domain knowledge in response to evolving business needs.
- Track record of applying creative or unconventional thinking to solve problems.
- Ability to deliver results in resource-constrained environments by maximizing existing tools, processes, and partnerships.
- Ability to adapt and find effective solutions in ambiguous or rapidly changing situations.
- Commitment to understanding and exceeding the needs of internal and external customers.
- Track record of building and maintaining strong, trust-based relationships that drive positive outcomes for stakeholders.
- Ability to sit for extended periods at a workstation and use a computer for up to 8 hours per day.
- Ability to lift and carry up to 50 pounds occasionally.
- Regular business hours are required; occasional evening or weekend work may be required during peak periods.
- Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without sponsorship now or in the future.
Responsibilities
- Manage day-to-day purchase requisitions, purchase orders, and supplier communications for office supplies, facilities needs, and technical and operational materials across departments.
- Ensure timely procurement of materials required for research and development, pilot builds, and production.
- Monitor supplier delivery performance and proactively address shortages or delays.
- Maintain purchasing records, contracts, and supplier documentation.
- Collaborate with inventory planning to optimize stock levels and working capital.
- Source and qualify suppliers for direct materials, components, equipment, and services.
- Conduct competitive bidding, requests for quotation, requests for proposal, and supplier selection processes.
- Negotiate pricing, lead times, payment terms, and contractual agreements.
- Develop sourcing strategies to reduce costs and mitigate supply chain risk.
- Identify alternate suppliers and dual-source opportunities.
- Ensure alignment with budget and strategic goals.
- Develop and maintain strong supplier relationships.
- Monitor supplier performance metrics, including quality, cost, timely complete delivery, and responsiveness.
- Conduct supplier reviews and support corrective action initiatives.
- Coordinate supplier onboarding and qualification activities and credit applications.
- Partner closely with divisions to support new product introduction programs and efficiencies.
- Prepare for manufacturing activities to ensure uninterrupted production operations.
- Collaborate with teams on supplier quality issues and qualification requirements.
- Coordinate with Finance regarding reporting, budgets, forecasts, payment terms, and accruals.
- Develop and improve procurement policies, controls, and procedures.
- Support purchasing system enhancements.
- Establish key performance indicator reporting for procurement performance.
- Drive cost savings and process efficiency initiatives.
Desired Qualifications
- A bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, Operations, or a related field is preferred.
- Experience in a manufacturing, startup, or high-growth environment where processes are still being built.
- Experience purchasing mechanical, electrical, and custom-engineered components and equipment.
- Experience building procurement systems from the ground up.
- Exposure to multiple purchase order and enterprise resource planning systems.
About the company
Blue Current makes silicon-first solid-state batteries for wearables, electric vehicles, and flying taxis. The cells use silicon-based anodes with customized solid electrolytes and separate anolyte, catholyte, and separator components, built into cells using existing high-volume manufacturing lines; materials for the anode and cathode are sourced globally, while Blue Current assembles the rest in-house for a safe, thermally stable, long-lasting energy storage solution. It distinguishes itself through a vertically integrated, scalable production model and an advantaged IP position in solid-state chemistry, focusing on getting the chemistry right and enabling quick delivery. The company’s goal is to scale high-density, safe, and affordable solid-state batteries across diverse markets.
Company Size
51-200
Company Stage
Series D
Total Funding
$110M
Headquarters
Hayward, California
Founded
2014
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Simplify's Take
What believers are saying
- Amazon led Blue Current’s $80 million December 2025 extension and placed James Hamilton on the board.
- Blue Current says its Hayward pilot line is operational in 2026 and producing 2Ah cells.
- Management targets customer sampling by late 2026, creating a near-term catalyst for commercial traction.
What critics are saying
- No 2026 customer shipments or OEM wins are public, so revenue timing stays opaque.
- QuantumScape, Solid Power, Toyota, and CATL outspend Blue Current on validation and scale.
- If 2026 sampling fails safety certification, Amazon’s $80 million round becomes stranded R&D capital.
What makes Blue Current unique
- Blue Current’s silicon elastic composite chemistry prioritizes safety and energy density, per 2026 updates.
- The Hayward pilot line produces 2Ah cells using existing lithium-ion manufacturing equipment.
- Umicore’s 2023 JDA embeds Blue Current inside established battery-material supply chains.
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Benefits
- Wellness Program
- 401(k) Retirement Plan
- Remote Work Options
- Hybrid Work Options
- Flexible Work Hours
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Sick Leave
- Paid Holidays
- Family Planning Benefits
- Fertility Treatment Support
- Conference Attendance Budget
- Professional Development Budget