Base Power · Austin
Manufacturing & OperationsSupply ChainFullTimeposted 5w ago
Base is America’s next-generation power company. We’re rebuilding the foundation of modern civilization–electricity–by deploying a vast network of distributed batteries that is transforming today’s fragile, centralized grid into a resilient and abundant system. We are engineers, operators, and creatives solving some of the most complex, interdisciplinary challenges of our time.
Base is looking for a Global Supply Manager to source and own supplier relationships, support new and existing product development and manufacture, and to implement industry-leading sourcing strategy. This role will collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, and logistics teams to execute our product roadmap. The primary scope of this role is general hardware manufacturing.
Lead end-to-end RFx processes — scoping requirements, issuing RFQs, evaluating responses, and driving supplier selection to award.
Build and maintain should-cost models to benchmark supplier pricing, identify cost-down opportunities, and anchor negotiations in first principles.
Negotiate piece price, tooling, payment terms, and master agreements — ensuring contracts are in place before business is initiated and that commercial terms hold up at scale.
Own the commercial relationship with key suppliers — tracking performance, managing escalations, and building the trust needed to move fast when it matters.
Develop and execute commodity strategies that optimize cost, supply continuity, and risk across a global supply base — monitoring market dynamics, capacity constraints, and technology shifts to stay ahead.
Drive supplier readiness across production ramp and sustained manufacturing, including capacity planning, lead time management, and obsolescence mitigation through end-of-life.
Synthesize findings and present clear recommendations — on contract awards, cost reviews, risk mitigation, and supply continuity — to engineering and executive stakeholders.
Background in sourcing board-level electronics — passives, actives, interconnects, and related direct electronics commodities — with a strong grasp of component cost drivers, supplier dynamics, and full lifecycle management from production through end-of-life.
3+ years sourcing experience in a similar role.
Strong excel and spreadsheet skills.
Strong organizational and project management skills.
Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Flexible mindset and temperament.
Willingness to travel domestically and internationally. Average 25% travel.
Strong record of applying first principles thinking toward supplier negotiations.
Strong record of managing successful escalations up to the executive level within a supplier.
Ability to learn quickly and prioritize appropriately to meet customer and company needs.
Experience with MRP/ERP systems.
Our supply chain team is responsible for sourcing components, managing manufacturing operations, and building the vendor relationships needed to produce and deliver the lowest-cost, highest-quality home battery systems at scale. That means optimizing landed costs through global sourcing, ramping domestic manufacturing, and developing supplier partnerships that hold up under pressure.
The work has direct impact - homeowners across the country rely on Base for whole-home backup and below-market electricity rates, while our aggregated storage supports grid stability at a moment when demand is accelerating from AI infrastructure, electrification, and extreme weather. We're building the supply foundation to keep pace, manufacturing in-house and expanding nationally at speeds and costs incumbents can't match.
Please note: Base is a startup, which means priorities shift and evolve quickly. Your role may expand or change based on the needs of the business at any given time, so the responsibilities listed may not be exhaustive.
First Principles Thinking: Question assumptions. Principles > rules.
Operate at Base Pace: Focus on what matters, act quickly, and learn by doing.
Give & Get Feedback: Be direct, be humble, and maintain a growth mindset.
Everyone’s an Owner: Follow through on commitments and own results.
Strong Opinions, Loosely Held: Drive clarity and make calls with imperfect information.
Committed to the Mission: Rebuilding the grid is a big challenge. We work hard because we care deeply about the impact we’re creating. We work in-person. It’s not a 9-to-5. We are all-in.
Fun & Optimism Coexist with Grit: Collaboration and celebration coincide with the intensity of building real things.