Director, Global Sourcing

About 1st Avenue Power:

 At 1st Avenue Power, we are on a mission to deliver simple, fast-to-deploy, customer-centric and intelligent power systems leveraging the abundance of solar to provide inexpensive and reliable clean energy to global customers from data centers to energy starved communities around the world. We envision a future where every community, business, and nation thrives on the limitless potential of clean energy, united in a shared commitment to a sustainable and equitable world.

You will be working with Dr. Tom Buttgenbach, one of the most successful clean energy technology innovators and entrepreneur who has been a driving force in making solar-based energy solutions the cheapest and most reliable energy option. Tom founded and led Avantus (formerly known as “8minute Solar Energy“), to become one of the largest and most profitable solar and energy storage companies in the United States and the largest in California, including delivering over 17% of Los Angeles’ power.  When Tom sold his interest in Avantus’ development business  to KKR in mid-2024, it had delivered over $1 billion in profit and secured over $10 Billion in power purchase agreements and project financings with a pipeline of over 30 GW of solar and 90 GWh of energy storage, capable of powering the homes of more than 20 million Americans day and night. Tom’s family office investment firm, 1st Avenue Capital, is building teams for the next generation of advanced solar power system architecture and AI to aggressively drive down the cost of and equitable access to clean and reliable energy.[1] 1st Avenue’s advanced large scale power systems are addressing the increasing inadequacy of the grid to meet the massively growing power demands of the digital economy, while its intelligent distributed solar utilities are leapfrogging the grid to provide equitable access to inexpensive, clean and reliable power to underserved communities around the world.

About the Role:

Join a groundbreaking team of proven leaders at the forefront of the clean energy transition. We are building a future where sustainable energy is accessible to all. The Director, Global Sourcing will lead all sourcing and supplier relationship activities for our core technology categories, including PV Modules, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), and Power Electronics. You will be responsible for developing supplier strategy, selecting and negotiating with global OEM partners, and ensuring our equipment sourcing aligns with internal technical, quality, and commercial requirements. This is a high-impact, cross-functional role that interfaces closely with Engineering, Legal, Product, and Manufacturing to support both R&D needs and scalable mass production.  Your work will be essential to delivering our solar and energy storage solutions at scale.

 

What Makes This Job Unique:

• Leadership Impact: As Director, Manufacturing & Supply Chain Operations,  you will have significant influence on key strategic decisions and play a vital role in shaping the future of 1st Avenue Power' energy strategy.
• Growth Potential: 1st Avenue Power and the project pipeline is in high growth mode, offering excellent opportunities for career growth and professional development.
• Co-Founder Mindset: This is an opportunity for a passionate and driven individual to join a groundbreaking team and contribute significantly to our mission. We encourage candidates who bring a co-founder mindset, with a focus on ownership, innovation, and a deep commitment to building a sustainable and equitable energy future.
• Global Exposure: Engage with suppliers across the U.S., Mexico, and Asia, with up to 25% international travel

Job Responsibilities:

• Lead global sourcing strategy across PV modules, BESS, and Power Electronics
• Identify and evaluate global OEMs that meet technical and commercial requirements
• Partner with engineering teams to align supplier capabilities with internal specifications
• Develop and execute RFPs, commercial evaluations, and total cost analyses
• Negotiate supply agreements and commercial terms with suppliers for both R&D and mass production
• Track key industry and market trends, supply chain risk, and pricing dynamics
• Own relationships with strategic suppliers, ensuring performance and alignment with roadmap needs
• Coordinate with Legal on agreement structures and execution
• Support supplier audits, factory visits, and technical/quality assessments
• Provide sourcing input into product planning and production ramp-up schedules
• Other duties as assigned 

Minimum Qualifications:

• 10+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or supplier management in clean energy, solar, or hardware-centric industries
• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or Supply Chain. MBA is a plus.
• Direct experience sourcing and negotiating within PV, BESS, and Power Electronics categories
• Proven ability to lead complex commercial negotiations across global suppliers
• Strong understanding of engineering and technical requirements for energy systems
• Ability to operate in early-stage environments and scale processes rapidly
• Excellent negotiation skills & solid track record of deal execution
• Excellent communication and cross-functional leadership skills
• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels across the organization
• Willingness to travel up to 25% internationally

Preferred Qualifications:

• Experience working with global OEMs in Asia, Mexico, and the U.S.
• Exposure to adjacent categories such as transformers, fire suppression systems, and ancillary power infrastructure
• Strong analytical skills including cost modeling and supplier risk evaluation
• Background in both early-stage R&D and scaled manufacturing environments
• Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional programs including engineering, product, finance, and legal

Compensation & Benefits:

•  Competitive Compensation Package
• Health Insurance: We offer 100% coverage of employee premiums under a Gold-level PPO plan. Dental & Vision Insurance: 50% of employee premiums are covered.
• Retirement Plan: A 401(k) plan with a 6% employer match.

1AI Energy, the employing entity for 1st Avenue Power, and 1st Avenue Power are committed to a policy of Equal Employment Opportunity and will not discriminate against an applicant or employee based on race (inclusive of traits associated with race, including hair texture and protective hairstyles), color, religion, religious creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and breastfeeding), age, veteran or military status, marital status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, reproductive decision-making, or any other legally recognized protected class under federal, state, or local law.  We also consider qualified applicants regardless of criminal histories, consistent with legal requirements.. Applicants with disabilities may be entitled to reasonable accommodation under the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), the California Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA), and local laws. A reasonable accommodation is a change in the way things are normally done which will ensure an equal employment opportunity without imposing undue hardship on 1AI Energy or 1st Avenue Power. Please inform the company's personnel representative if you need assistance completing an application or to otherwise participate in the application process. 

 

Join our team and make a real difference in the world.

[1: Additionally, 1st Avenue is in the business of acquiring projects where there has been a final notice-to-proceed or financial close.]  

 

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