Category Manager, CapEx

3 months ago
Full time role
In-person · Devens, MA, US... more
About Commonwealth Fusion Systems: 

Commonwealth Fusion Systems is on a mission to deliver the urgent transition to fusion energy.

Combining decades of research, top talent and new technologies, we’re designing and building commercially viable fusion power plants. And working with policymakers and suppliers to build the energy industry of the future. 

We’re in the best position to make it happen. Since 2018, we’ve raised over $2 billion in capital – more than any other fusion energy company in the U.S.

Now we’re looking for more thinkers, doers, builders, and makers to join us. People who’ll bring new perspectives, solve tough problems, and thrive as part of a team. 

If that’s you and this role fits, we want to hear from you.

The Category Manager’s role is to partner with the business to support the company’s long-term manufacturing objectives through contract negotiations, risk mitigation and supplier relationship management.  


This team member will:

  • Conduct advanced quantitative analysis to identify financial impacts of decisions and performance for the category managed. Perform business process analyses and develop models to improve cost. Collaborate with stakeholders to define SLA's and KPI's for suppliers and measure the appropriate criteria, such as: delivery of business results, cost reduction, quality and timeliness of delivery. Conduct research, perform benchmarking, and gather market analysis for assigned categories.
  • Drive cost reduction projects including planning, coordinating with stakeholders, estimating completion, and project updates
  • Author contract documents with Legal. Manage contracts ensuring performance of the supplier to contract obligations. Understand interrelationships between contracts and terms while applying creativity and sound business reasoning to interpret application of contract to business needs.
  • Utilize creative negotiations to maximize value and cost savings benefit while lowering risk
  • Establish preferred suppliers by category. Create and implement related management programs to develop, continuously improve, manage the performance of, and monitor KPIs of the supply base.
  • Develop and maintain key internal stakeholder relationships to create strategic sourcing models that optimize the value of products and services that support business unit requirements to maintain continuous cost reduction programs for controllable expenditures. Communicate, manage, and drive compliance to category strategies. Provide solutions to a wide range of difficult problems.
  • Create sourcing strategies for the assigned category to reduce risk and meet targets for the Procurement Department including but not limited to payment terms, cash targets, and cost savings
  • Lead and mentor team members
  • Issue purchase orders and resolve blocked invoices related to the assigned category
  • Develop and lead efforts to reduce the number of transactions and for the assigned category
  • Skillfully balance the price, delivery, quality, service, and value tradeoffs and rationalize the supply base 
  • Adhere to all supply chain policies, procedures, guidelines and instructions including those regarding the procurement of materials, intellectual property, and export compliance
  • Negotiate internally and externally at high levels or with persons of influence frequently

The ideal candidate will have most, if not all, of these requirements:

  • 7 years of purchasing or supply chain experience, including some experience purchasing capital equipment for manufacturing environments
  • 7+ years experience in Procurement or Supply Chain
  • At least 7 years experience in Indirect
  • Bachelor’s Degree (required)
  • Masters Degree is a plus
  • Certifications preferred:  A.P.P., C.P.M., CPSM, CSCP, CPIM
  • Technical Procurement Expert
  • Strong experience negotiating contracts
  • Implementation and management of ERP or other procurement tools
  • Creative negotiating skills
  • Experience with MS Office
  • Exceptional communications skills
  • Strong collaboration and relationship building skills
  • Ability to prioritize and execute tasks
  • Works with Integrity
  • Strong Customer Service skills
  • Remarkable problem-solving skills
  • Works well under pressure
  • Possesses excellent judgement

Additional experience and/or qualifications:

  • Experience managing multiple levels of staff
  • Experience in a start-up or high growth environment
  • Experience in manufacturing environment
  • Perform activities such as typing, standing, or sitting for extended periods of time
  • #LI-Hybrid

At CFS, we excel in fast-paced environments, driven by our values of integrity, execution, impact, and self-critique. As we grow, we’re eager to bring on mission-driven folks who offer diverse perspectives and fresh ways to tackle challenges.

We value diversity deeply and are proud to be an equal opportunity employer by choice. We consider all qualified applicants equally, regardless of race, color, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, protected veteran status, religion, physical or mental disability, marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, or any other basis protected by law.