Purchasing Lead, Cell Project Engineering at Tesla

What to Expect

Tesla’s Cell Manufacturing Engineering group is looking for a highly motivated Purchasing professional to lead purchasing and cost control initiatives for large CAPEX projects on a Global scale. This role requires a highly organized individual that can develop systems to create and/or enhance purchasing workflows and manage multiple projects simultaneously on a $MM scale.

As a Project Engineering Purchasing Lead, you will join a highly efficient cross-functional project engineering team responsible for developing and delivering complex capital projects and designing/building custom Tesla equipment across multiple sites against aggressive project deadlines. You will be responsible for overseeing the organization’s ordering and receiving processes, and ensuring timely, cost-effective procurement methods are followed to expedite the ordering and receiving of goods/services for projects. If you have a strong background in procurement, RFP, RFQ, bid levelling, negotiations, and compliance oversight, and you are looking to take your career to the next level, this role is for you.

What You'll Do

• This is a cross-functional role that requires close coordination among different groups internally and externally of Tesla
• Be responsible for creating purchase order POs for multiple projects and tracking them from PO receipt to delivery, including goods receipt and invoicing in Tesla ERP system
• In this role, you will be immersed in early equipment and factory design phases, and act as owner to plan and source custom equipment BOMs and/or infrastructure BOMs and coordinate with Tesla GSM and Finance organizations for early coordination and alignment
• You will also build and leverage strong working relationships with cross-functional partners in engineering and work together with our suppliers to ensure cost, quality, and delivery targets are met to achieve maximum advantage for Tesla and our customers
• Deliver clear-to-build status, material coverage, run-out reports, and other analyses as needed to plan large capital project deployment
• Act as the primary interface with suppliers on delivery status, issues, and resolution
• Escalate to commercial or technical partners when required (procurement, accounts payable, quality, engineering, etc.)
• Source items through approved contracts and preferred vendors; analyze product cost, features, and delivery time to determine the best value products available
• Collaborate with stakeholders to develop specifications and manage the procurement solicitation process, including Requests for Proposals (RFPs), Invitations for Bids (IFBs), Requests for Qualifications (RFQs), and informal solicitations
• Provide excellent customer service to internal stakeholders; communicate delays and alternatives proactively

What You'll Bring

• Degree in Business Administration or equivalent experience
• 5+ years of experience in procurement, with experience in high-volume manufacturing highly desired
• Ability to calculate moderately complex figures and accurately report activities and budgets (e.g., extended pricing, discounts, reorder points)
• Experience in sourcing, manufacturing, finance, or supply chain management, with advanced proficiency in MS Excel required
• Strong knowledge of MRP/ERP with a solid understanding of discrete manufacturing, bills of material, product lifecycle management, procure to pay processes, and supply chain operations
• Ability to evaluate and analyze data to enable operational decision-making or present clear recommendations to leadership
• Demonstrated skills in supplier operational and relationship management
• Passionate and high energy, with the diplomacy and cooperative style necessary to positively influence others, both inside and outside of Tesla
• Ability to work independently on multiple tasks and projects in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Experience in purchasing for large brown-field and green-field manufacturing projects with EPCs firms or in-house custom machinery design teams

Compensation and Benefits