Job Details

Proterra offers a dynamic and supportive workplace where our employees can thrive personally and professionally. With cutting-edge facilities and groundbreaking projects, Proterra offers unique opportunities to grow, collaborate, and lead transformative change in the electrification of heavy-duty transportation and equipment.
Our commitment to innovation extends beyond our battery solutions to our people, where we create an environment where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to drive change for the earth. Here at Proterra we strive to foster a culture of inclusivity, valuing diverse perspectives and encouraging bold ideas, allowing our employees to bring their full selves to work. Our employees benefit from competitive total rewards packages, and opportunities to develop professionally.

Position Summary:

The Senior Staff Global Supply Chain Manager – Automotive will lead the strategy, development, and execution of global supply chain operations to support high-volume manufacturing, just-in-time delivery, and cost competitiveness in a dynamic automotive environment. This role will ensure supply chain resiliency, quality, and agility across global production and supplier networks while aligning with lean manufacturing and OEM customer requirements.

This position will provide comprehensive strategic supplier management, sourcing oversight, and execution to Proterra's Director of Strategic Sourcing and other site leadership. You will be responsible for the strategic sourcing and management of assigned commodities, spend categories, and supplier relationship management for Proterra. The Senior Staff Global Supply Manager will work closely with production control, materials/warehouse, logistics, manufacturing, engineering, sales, and finance to develop and implement comprehensive sourcing strategies to support the Proterra business plan and key KPI's. Additionally, this position will work on leveraging opportunities with Proterra's parent company (Volvo Truck Group), focusing on common commodities and suppliers.

About the Role – You will:

Strategic Supply Chain Leadership

• Lead global supply chain strategy aligned with corporate goals, focusing on cost optimization, lead time reduction, and supply continuity.
• Coordinate cross-regional supply chain operations to support multi-plant manufacturing and international customer demand.

Supplier Management & Sourcing

• Manage global sourcing strategies for direct and indirect materials, including raw materials, castings, extrusions, electronics, stamped parts, plastic components, and critical subassemblies.
• Identify and qualify new suppliers, especially in low-cost regions, and manage performance through QCD metrics (Quality, Cost, Delivery).
• Negotiate contracts and long-term agreements with suppliers to secure capacity and competitive pricing.

Risk & Compliance

• Lead risk mitigation strategies for supply chain disruptions, including dual sourcing, safety stock strategies, and proactive supplier monitoring.
• Ensure compliance with international trade regulations (e.g., USMCA, EU REACH, conflict minerals), environmental laws, and internal quality systems (IATF 16949).
• Develop and execute tariff risk mitigation strategies

Technology & Continuous Improvement

• Drive digital transformation using ERP, MES, and advanced planning systems (APS).
• Implement data analytics and supply chain dashboards to enable real-time decision-making.
• Lead continuous improvement and cost reduction initiatives (Kaizen, Six Sigma, Value Stream Mapping).

Team Leadership

• Provide mentorship and functional guidance to regional and local supply chain teams.
• Drive standardization of supply chain processes across global locations.

General Requirements:

• Conduct comprehensive supply market and supplier economic analysis to formulate a strategic sourcing strategy that identifies new/suitable suppliers, optimizes cost models, improves resilience, and proactively ensures continuity of supply.
• Analyze competitiveness and performance to develop overall supplier negotiation and engagement strategies, including maintaining strong supplier relationships, visiting suppliers' facilities, and following up with suppliers to meet committed performance deliverables.
• Closely work with engineering, program management, and NPI teams ensure all sourcing actions are executed on time to support new customer launch or design change implementation.
• Mange all sourcing owned parameters with Oracle ERP system. Examples include, approved supplier, sourcing set up, pricing, payments terms, etc.
• Manage supplier performance through key supplier KPIs to protect internal and external customers and develop strategic plans for risk and contingency for poor performing suppliers.
• Lead Contract/LTA negotiations and drive compliance, all while ensuring cost, quality, capacity, delivery, and capability are met and sustained.
• Developed and execute cost-down initiatives with engineering and finance teams by design modifications, resourcing, and organic negotiations to cost reduction targets.
• Collaborate with engineering on new product development activities to support projects, align design with our strategic supply base, and deliver products on time, at or below cost.
• Identify high risk areas within the supply chain and implement appropriate mitigation measures.
• Conduct quarterly business reviews and provide regular feedback to suppliers to improve short-term and long-term performance.
• Propose best TCO suppliers to the stakeholders, using key supplier selection criteria, supplier assessments and DFM, to present to sourcing council for cross-functional approval
• Support all supplier escalation issues and crisis management to protect the production facility and end customer.
• Support all compliance and sustainability requirements with suppliers and solicit necessary documentation as need.
• Support additional tasks that pertain to sourcing support as part the supply chain and larger Proterra organization

Your Experience Includes:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or related field (Master's or MBA preferred).
• 10–15+ years of global supply chain experience in the automotive or Tier 1/Tier 2 supplier industry.
• Deep understanding of OEM customer expectations, APQP process, and automotive product lifecycle.
• Experience with ERP systems (e.g., SAP, Oracle), advanced planning tools, and logistics platforms.
• Strong negotiation, supplier management, and cross-functional leadership skills.
• Knowledge of IATF 16949, ISO 14001, and automotive EDI standards.
• APICS, Six Sigma, or Lean certifications preferred.
• Customer-focused attitude, with a high level of professionalism and discretion.

Core Competencies:

• Strategic Thinking & Execution
• Automotive Manufacturing & Logistics Expertise
• Supplier Risk Management
• Lean Supply Chain Principles
• Cross-Cultural Communication
• Strong negotiation skills
• Problem Solving & Root Cause Analysis
• Leadership in Matrixed Organizations

Location: Greer

Travel; 10%

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Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. There is no immigration sponsorship available for this role (ex: H1-B, OPT, CPT, TN or any other employment sponsorship).

Proterra is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer, providing equal employment opportunities to all Employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, genetic information, veteran status, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions, including, but not limited to, lactation or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law or ordinance. Proterra participates in the Electronic Employment Verification Program (E-Verify).

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities

This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.
For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.