Procurement & Materials Manager, Lithium Refining

Description:
Tesla’s Gulf Coast Lithium Refinery is seeking an experienced Procurement & Materials Manager to own the end-to-end procurement and materials management strategy for the Operations Team. This leadership role ensures the timely, cost-effective, and reliable supply of spares, materials, and equipment that directly support Maintenance, Reliability, Process Controls, and small capital projects—maintaining mechanical integrity, process safety, and asset availability in a dynamic and innovative environment.

Responsibilities:
Lead all strategic sourcing, negotiation, contracting, and supplier performance management activities for maintenance spares, reliability-critical components, consumables, and small capital equipment supporting autoclaves, calciners, pressure filters, crystallizers, slurry pumps, and solids handling systems in caustic, high-temperature service
Own the site materials management program—including inventory optimization (ABC analysis, min/max/safety stock strategies), warehouse operations, kitting/staging for outages, and demand forecasting—to minimize downtime while controlling working capital and obsolescence risk
Integrate procurement workflows with the CMMS, reliability data systems, and outage planning tools to automate replenishment, ensure material master data accuracy, and support Management of Change (MOC) and Pre-Startup Safety Review (PSSR) requirements under the PSM program (OSHA 29 CFR 1910.119)
Build and maintain strategic supplier relationships, long-term agreements, vendor-managed inventory (VMI), and consignment programs with a first-principles focus on total cost of ownership, lead-time reduction, and supply chain resilience
Coordinate materials readiness for major planned outages and turnarounds, working directly with the Maintenance & Reliability Engineering Lead and Small Capital Project Manager to align procurement with critical-path schedules and post-startup performance targets (MTBF, availability, corrosion control)
Drive continuous improvement in procurement KPIs (cost savings, on-time delivery, inventory turns, supplier quality) through data-driven analysis, digital tools, and cross-functional collaboration with Production, Process Safety, and Reliability teams
Ensure full compliance with Tesla policies, hazardous materials regulations, lithium-specific handling requirements, and quality standards for pressure-containing and PSM-covered assets

Requirements:
Degree in in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Engineering, or a related field, or equivalent experience; Professional certifications such as CPSM, CPIM, or CSCP strongly preferred
5+ years of progressive experience in procurement and materials management within chemical processing, hydrometallurgy, mineral processing, or heavy industrial facilities
Proven track record optimizing spare-parts inventory, negotiating complex contracts, and delivering measurable reductions in total cost of ownership and unplanned downtime in PSM-regulated environments
Deep working knowledge of CMMS/ERP systems (EAM preferred), inventory optimization methodologies, strategic sourcing tools, and supplier relationship management
Strong analytical, negotiation, and leadership skills with the ability to influence cross-functional teams and build high-performing supplier networks in a fast-paced, commissioning-to-steady-state refinery environment

Compensation & Benefits:
Benefits

Along with competitive pay, as a full-time Tesla employee, you are eligible for the following benefits at day 1 of hire:
Medical plans > plan options with $0 payroll deduction
Family-building, fertility, adoption and surrogacy benefits
Dental (including orthodontic coverage) and vision plans, both have options with a $0 paycheck contribution
Company Paid (Health Savings Accounts) HSA Contribution when enrolled in the High-Deductible medical plan with HSA
Healthcare and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
401(k) with employer match, Employee Stock Purchase Plans, and other financial benefits
Company paid Basic Life, AD&D
Short-term and long-term disability insurance (90 day waiting period)
Employee Assistance Program
Sick and Vacation time (Flex time for salary positions, Accrued hours for Hourly positions), and Paid Holidays
Back-up childcare and parenting support resources
Voluntary benefits to include: critical illness, hospital indemnity, accident insurance, theft & legal services, and pet insurance
Weight Loss and Tobacco Cessation Programs
Tesla Babies program
Commuter benefits
Employee discounts and perks program