Sr. Indirect Sourcing Analyst

Panasonic•De Soto, KS

4d•Onsite

About The Position

Join Panasonic Energy as we expand to De Soto, Kansas, building the world’s largest lithium-ion battery factory. This is an exciting opportunity to grow your career while contributing to the future of electric vehicles. As part of our team, you’ll help push the limits of battery technology, enhancing performance and efficiency in sustainable transportation. Our state-of-the-art facility, just outside the Kansas City Metro, will be a hub for innovation in green energy solutions. If you're passionate about sustainability and eager to contribute to the electric vehicle revolution, we invite you to be part of our dynamic team. Join us and make a meaningful impact on the future of energy and transportation. The Senior Indirect Sourcing Analyst leads strategic indirect procurement initiatives for Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America (PECNA) across capital equipment, tooling, construction, design services, and operating expense (OPEX) categories. This role defines and executes category strategies, leads complex sourcing initiatives and supplier negotiations, and drives enterprise-wide cost, risk, and supplier performance optimization efforts. Working closely with internal stakeholders and global partners, the Senior Indirect Sourcing Analyst manages supplier relationships, ensures contractual compliance, and champions procurement governance and continuous improvement. Success in this position requires advanced sourcing expertise, strong business acumen, exceptional analytical capabilities, and the ability to influence strategic business decisions across multiple departments within a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, STEM, or a related field
Relevant experience may be substituted for required education
7+ years of strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, or supply chain experience
Demonstrated expertise in supplier relationship management, contract negotiation, sourcing strategy development, and cost/risk optimization
Experience leading complex sourcing initiatives across construction, capital equipment, tooling, engineering services, professional services, or other indirect procurement categories
Strong knowledge of RFx processes, supplier evaluation and selection, contract administration, category management, and procurement best practices
Advanced analytical capabilities, including spend analysis, total cost of ownership modeling, market intelligence, business case development, and data-driven decision-making
Advanced proficiency with ERP systems, procurement technologies, Microsoft Excel, Power BI, and reporting tools
Proven ability to lead cross-functional projects, influence stakeholders at multiple levels, and drive measurable business outcomes in a fast-paced manufacturing environment
Excellent business acumen, communication, presentation, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills
Must have working-level knowledge of the English language, including reading, writing, and speaking English
Alignment to Panasonic’s seven (7) core principles (contribution to society, fairness and honesty, cooperation and team spirit, untiring effort for improvement, courtesy and humility, adaptability, gratitude)

Nice To Haves

Master's degree (MBA, MS in Supply Chain Management, Industrial Engineering, Engineering, or related discipline)
Certified Professional in Supply Management (CPSM)
Certified Supply Chain Professional (CSCP)
Project Management Professional (PMP)
Lean Six Sigma Green Belt or Black Belt
SAP Procurement Certification
10+ years of strategic sourcing, category management, procurement, or supply chain experience
Experience sourcing construction, engineering, capital equipment, tooling, professional services, IT, or other high-value indirect spend categories
Experience supporting large-scale manufacturing facilities, industrial construction projects, capital expansions, or greenfield developments
Knowledge of construction contracts, procurement practices, project delivery methods, and supplier risk management
Experience with strategic category management, procurement transformation, supplier optimization, or continuous improvement initiatives
Experience working with global teams, including familiarity with Japanese business culture
Experience in battery manufacturing or related industries, including automotive, electronics, advanced manufacturing, semiconductor, or energy storage
Lean, Six Sigma, procurement certifications, and/or bilingual English Japanese proficiency

Responsibilities

Develop and execute sourcing strategies for complex indirect spend categories, including construction, design services, capital equipment, tooling, and OPEX expenditures
Serve as the sourcing lead for construction, design, capital project, and tooling-related procurement activities, leveraging knowledge of construction materials, contract structures, insurance requirements, and project delivery methods
Lead end-to-end procurement activities, including scope development, RFx management (RFI, RFQ, RFP), supplier evaluation, bidder engagement, contract negotiations, and supplier selection
Negotiate and administer supplier, consultant, and contractor agreements, including Statements of Work (SOW), Master Service Agreements (MSA), Master Purchase Agreements (MPA), and other commercial contracts
Conduct enterprise-wide spend analysis, total cost of ownership assessments, and market intelligence reviews to support sourcing decisions and category strategies
Manage strategic supplier relationships and serve as the primary point of contact for key suppliers
Lead supplier performance reviews and monitor key performance indicators (KPIs) to drive accountability, innovation, and operational excellence
Develop compelling business cases and sourcing recommendations to support investment prioritization and strategic procurement decisions
Identify and implement opportunities to reduce costs, improve supplier performance, mitigate risk, and streamline procurement processes
Lead sourcing and supplier optimization initiatives supporting operational efficiency and long-term business objectives
Utilize data analytics, ERP systems, and reporting tools to monitor spend, identify trends, and drive informed decision-making
Champion procurement governance, policy compliance, standardization, and best practices across the organization
Support procurement transformation, continuous improvement, and sourcing excellence initiatives that enhance stakeholder value and operational performance
Mentor and provide guidance to junior sourcing and procurement team members on sourcing methodologies, negotiation strategies, category management, and supplier relationship management
Share market intelligence, category expertise, and procurement best practices to strengthen team capabilities
Promote procurement best practices and contribute to the development of sourcing and procurement capabilities across the organization
Support onboarding and development activities for new team members as needed
Serve as a subject matter expert for strategic sourcing and category management activities
Partner with Design, Construction, Supply Chain, Legal, Risk Management, Finance, and business stakeholders to support successful project execution and procurement outcomes
Collaborate with global procurement teams to ensure alignment with corporate sourcing strategies, sustainability initiatives, and business objectives
Influence sourcing, contracting, and investment decisions through data-driven recommendations presented to management and senior leadership
Present sourcing recommendations, supplier performance updates, market intelligence, and project outcomes to leadership and key stakeholders
Build strong relationships across the organization to ensure sourcing initiatives effectively support operational and strategic priorities
Ensure procurement activities comply with company policies, contractual requirements, applicable regulations, and ethical sourcing standards
Manage sourcing governance, procurement policies, templates, and contracting processes
Support supplier risk management activities, including mitigation planning, performance monitoring, and escalation management to minimize supply chain disruptions
Maintain accurate sourcing documentation, contracts, and procurement records
Champion procurement excellence through governance, compliance, and continuous improvement initiatives
Follow all company safety policies, procedures, and PPE requirements when accessing operational, construction, or manufacturing environments

Benefits

Medical, dental, vision, prescription plans
Health Savings Account and Flexible Spending Account options
Life, accident, critical illness, disability, legal, identity theft, and pet insurance
401(k) plan with company matching contributions and immediate vesting
Vacation, holidays, personal days, sick leave, volunteer, and parental & caregiver leave
Tuition reimbursement for job-related courses after six months of service
Lifestyle Spending Account, EAP, virtual health management, chronic condition, neurodiversity, tobacco cessation, substance abuse support, and life stage and fertility resources
High5 employee recognition and awards platform, quarterly and annual employee recognition
Opportunity for an annual performance-based bonus
Several on-site cafes, plentiful snack and beverage kitchens, revolving on-site vendor visits and employee events