Job Description

Please note that we are unable to provide visa sponsorship for this position.

About Proper Voltage

Proper Voltage is unlocking the next generation of battery technology across robotics, data centers, and defense.

We're building intelligent battery systems that make advanced chemistries (sodium-ion, lithium-titanate, lithium-silicon) work in products that were never designed for them. Humanoid robots can upgrade power systems without redesigning their entire platform. Data centers get safer, cheaper backup power. Drones and autonomous vehicles get higher energy density without lengthy integration cycles.

If you want to work on hard problems that matter, with colleagues that you enjoy working with, this is the place.

The Global Sourcing Manager owns the operational backbone of Proper Voltage's external supply base. This role partners directly with the Director of CM Execution and Procurement to convert sourcing strategy into supplier execution: managing long lead buys, holding day-to-day supplier relationships across multiple commodity categories, running the PO and material readiness process, and keeping production builds supplied without surprises.

In the near term, the highest-value work this role does is keeping the PO queue clean, the Clear to Build (CTB) tracker current, and the build schedule supplied. The strategic sourcing and supplier development work lives with the Director. This role keeps the engine running between strategy decisions.

Proper Voltage manages PCBA assembly through a contract manufacturer in North America but holds component-level supplier relationships directly. This role operates inside that model. You'll work both sides of the table (direct with component suppliers and through the CM where appropriate) and keep the commercial relationships clean as we scale from NPI to thousands of units per month

Scope

This is a multi-category role. Commodities in scope include electrical components (under the Director's strategic direction), connectors, cables, wire harnesses, packaging, consumables, and other commodity categories as the BOM evolves. Custom mechanical commodity ownership sits with a separate role on the team. Indirect spend management (SaaS, services, travel, professional services) may also fall under this role as the company scales.

The supplier base spans North America and Asia. Most Asia supplier management happens virtually with occasional on-site travel as needed. Heavy on-the-ground Asia supplier development is owned by the Director.

This role starts as an individual contributor. You are not inheriting a team. You will own the operational sourcing function personally, with the expectation that we may build a team around you over time as the company scales.

Who this role is for:

You have hands-on sourcing and procurement experience across hardware commodities. You've placed real POs, run real RFQs, expedited real shipments, and held real supplier relationships through real production scale. You know what good supplier performance looks like, and you know how to push when it's not happening. You're ok knowing most of your time will be spent on execution (POs, open orders, supplier follow-up, and material readiness) in the near term. If that sounds like a step back from where you are today, this role is probably not the right fit yet.

You are comfortable working at the intersection of engineering, planning, finance, and the contract manufacturer. You don't need every dependency wired up before you can start moving on a quote, a sample request, or a supplier escalation. You take incomplete information and you make progress with it.

You are comfortable inside a CM-based manufacturing model where component sourcing stays with us rather than the CM. You've worked through the operational complexity that comes with that model: dual communication paths, BOM reconciliation, consignment vs. CM-buy decisions, and the coordination cost of holding direct relationships.

You operate well in early-stage environments where the playbook is still being written. You are energized rather than slowed by ambiguity, and you ask for what you need from your manager rather than waiting to be told.

This role is not a fit if:

• Your sourcing experience has primarily been placing POs against an existing approved vendor list with little hands-on supplier development or qualification.
• You need a fully locked BOM and stable specs before engaging suppliers.
• You're more comfortable in mature, process-heavy environments and would find a startup operating tempo frustrating.
• You are looking for a leadership role with a team to manage on day one. This role is hands-on for the foreseeable future.

What you'll do

Supplier and procurement execution

• Own the operational supplier relationships across multiple commodity categories, including electrical, cables, harnesses, packaging, and consumables.
• Run the day-to-day RFQ, quote, and PO process, from technical package through quote normalization, supplier selection, and order placement
• Manage long lead time component visibility, tracking, and expediting against build schedules.
• Drive supplier cadence: weekly status, monthly business reviews where appropriate, scorecards, and corrective action when performance drifts.
• Onboard new suppliers brought in through Director-led strategic sourcing, including qualification logistics, NDA execution, and commercial setup.

NPI and program support

• Partner with engineering during NPI to source components against evolving specs, manage long lead and allocation-risk items, and ensure material readiness for prototype and pilot builds.
• Translate evolving design requirements into supplier actions. Move early on directional quotes and supplier engagement even when the BOM is still being finalized.
• Monitor single-source dependencies, allocation constraints, long lead time items, and end-of-life risk across the BOM. Flag risk to the Director early and proactively.

Material Readiness and Order Management

• Own and maintain the CTB tracker across active builds. Reconcile on-hand, on-order, and in-transit quantities against build schedules and phase requirements. Surface shortfalls with enough lead time to act.
• Issue and manage purchase orders across the active supply base. Drive weekly open order reviews to confirm delivery dates, pull in drifting shipments, and escalate when commits put a build at risk. Maintain clean PO records on quantities, pricing, delivery commitments, and receipt status.
• Maintain lead time visibility across the BOM. Flag items approaching their order horizon and initiate buys before they become schedule constraints.
• Reconcile incoming receipts against POs and build requirements. Identify and resolve discrepancies (short shipments, wrong revisions, damaged goods) before they reach the line.
• Partner with engineering on demand signals and BOM changes that affect open orders. Update commitments when quantities or specs shift.

Cross-functional execution

• Partner with the contract manufacturer on material flow, BOM reconciliation, and consignment decisions.
• Partner with engineering on AVL status, second source qualification logistics, and component change management.
• Partner with finance on spend tracking, PO accruals, and inventory visibility.
• Partner with planning on demand signals, MRP alignment, and material readiness.

Indirect spend support

• Manage indirect procurement activity including software, services, travel, and professional services contracts as the company's spend base grows.
• Run vendor negotiations and contract renewals against company commercial terms.

Required Qualifications

• 5+ years in sourcing, procurement, or commodity management with direct ownership of supplier relationships across multiple hardware categories.
• Direct experience holding supplier relationships in a CM-based manufacturing model: consignment, direct negotiation alongside a CM, or split-ownership of the supply base.
• Hands-on experience moving from incomplete or evolving specs to qualified suppliers and quoted components.
• Comfort with the operational complexity of multi-category sourcing: dual communication paths, CM coordination, BOM reconciliation, and supplier performance management.
• Strong execution instincts. Ability to keep multiple workstreams in motion, hold suppliers and CMs accountable, and escalate cleanly when needed.
• Ability to operate independently and set priorities without a defined playbook.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in battery, energy storage, power electronics, or other hardware-adjacent categories.
• Experience working with Asia-based suppliers and distributors, including occasional on-site travel.
• Familiarity with electrical component supply chain dynamics: lead times, allocation risk, distribution vs. direct relationships, and end-of-life management.
• Experience with indirect procurement: SaaS, services, professional services, travel.
• Early-stage startup experience building or scaling sourcing functions from zero.
• Familiarity with North America cross-border manufacturing, including Mexico IMMEX program structures if applicable.

Compensation & Benefits

• Base salary of $130,000 to $150,000, plus equity.

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.

• Flexible PTO with a generous holiday policy.

• Remote-friendly with monthly travel to Carlsbad,CAand periodic international supplier visits.

Ready to work on power systems that matter? Let's talk.