Senior Buyer

Company Description

In the world of energy, no area is more exciting than large-scale energy storage. From a few installations a decade ago to a market Barclays Bank says is “likely to approach the trillions,” energy storage makes wind and solar available around the clock. Invinity is taking a leading role by providing a safe, reliable, and economical alternative to conventional storage solutions.

Invinity Energy Systems, a public company trading on the London Stock Exchange, produces batteries that do not suffer the short life, fire risk and materials scarcity that hold back solutions powered by lithium-ion batteries. Invinity’s flow batteries store energy in a water-based electrolyte using vanadium, a widely available element proven in energy storage for decades. Invinity has commercial projects in Europe, North America, Asia and Australia, with significant operations in Vancouver and Bathgate and offices in London and San Francisco.

We are looking for people with a passion for renewable energy to join us. People love working at Invinity because we are empowered to make a meaningful impact. We’re small enough that every team member plays a critical role in our daily business, but large enough that the batteries we build are being deployed at significant scale in landmark clean energy projects around the world.

Invinity is committed to providing equal opportunities in the workplace and follows a comprehensive Equal Opportunities Policy to ensure all employees are valued and can reach their full potential.

**Job Description**:
As Senior Buyer, you will facilitate the day-to-day procurement needs to support Manufacturing schedules as well Engineering departmental prototype support. This will interface with different departments and suppliers.
- Supporting the execution of goods purchasing, materials, components, or services in line with specified cost, quality, and delivery targets / schedules
- Responsible for commercial instructions and oversight from Invinity to individual suppliers including:

- Commercial orders and instructions (PO, quotes, shipping instructions)
- Vendor commercial obligation (Ensure vendors meet obligations)
- May require some technical explanation to vendors
- RMA to vendor oversight
- Invoice and payment dispute
- Work with Electrolyte suppliers
- Ensure continuous supply of required goods and materials and communicate any supply problems which may pose a risk or impact on business operations
- Evaluate areas of opportunity and reduce costs where possible including
- Develop ideas and strategies to improve operational efficiency (Procurement focus), add value, aid business performance and work towards a strategy of continuous improvement
- Deliver updates and reports when required
- May be required to assess and evaluate suppliers and manage performance improvement activities
- Assess tenders and quotations from potential supplier requirements

**Key learnings**
- Build knowledge in Invinity Product Development Process - Supply Chain Management focus
- Learn product development cycles
- Develop expertise on manufacturing systems and competency on different manufacturing processes
- Develop DFMA competency
- Key understanding of flow battery technology
- Read, interpret and be able to explain simple engineering drawings / blueprints and specifications
- Supporting role in NPI activities
- Financial acumen / deeper understanding of how expenses, cashflow, assets all interrelate to company goals

**Qualifications**:

- Degree preferred but PMAC or APICS equivalency is acceptable
- Minimum 8 years of experience:

- Technical understanding and aptitude will be required
- Chemical background to understand the electrolyte
- Experience dealing with Power Electronics
- Experience in contract manufacturing
- Understanding of purchasing business processes important
- Manufacturing and prototyping procurement experience would be advantageous.
- Familiarity with financial statements and processes an asset
- Understanding of manufacturing processes: BOM, ERP, inventory management
- Proficiency in MS Office Suite (e.g. Excel, Word, Outlook) and general computer literacy
- ERP experience essential. PLM experience important or ability to learn PLM software such as Agile / Propel.