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Austin, Texas, United States
Onsite
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 own sheet metal and extrusion sourcing for Base's structural metalwork: aesthetic panels, top cover, straps, and extruded aluminum components like the heat plate on the back of our disconnect enclosure. These parts go into Core Batteries, Disconnects, and associated products, built primarily through Sanmina Plant 4 and a network of direct and bridge suppliers.
You'll take over a real, active scope from day one, not build one from scratch. You'll work closely with Base's Metals category lead as we split Metals into focused sub-categories, sheet metal, extrusions, castings, and conductors, so each one gets the depth of attention it needs.
Own the commercial relationship with sheet metal and extrusion suppliers building Base's structural metalwork, as the primary contract manufacturer and a network of direct and bridge suppliers.
Take over day-to-day ownership of aesthetic panels, top cover, straps, and the aluminum extrusion heat plate, with no dropped continuity during handoff.
Build and maintain should-cost models for stamped, formed, and extruded parts, decomposed to material, tooling, cycle time, and finishing, to anchor negotiations and drive cost reduction.
Negotiate piece price, tooling terms, and master agreements with sheet metal and extrusion suppliers, and manage production escalations as the accountable party.
Establish dual-source or bridge-supply coverage for the highest-risk parts in the category, and partner with engineering and manufacturing on design trade-offs and line-side production issues.
Background sourcing stamped, formed, or extruded metal components, with fluency in tooling economics, process capabilities, and cost drivers across fabrication methods.
2+ years sourcing experience in a similar role.
Experience owning a commercial relationship with a contract manufacturer or metal fabricator directly, including negotiating piece price and tooling terms as the accountable party.
Comfort qualifying a bridge or backup supplier quickly when a primary vendor slips, without losing sight of the long-term plan.
Strong organizational and communication skills, and a willingness to travel domestically and internationally, roughly 25% of the time.
Base's structural metalwork covers every stamped, formed, and extruded metal part in our systems, from enclosures and panels to covers, straps, and heat management components. As Base ramps Core Battery and Disconnect production, this category has grown past what one person can own well, so we're splitting Metals into focused sub-categories: sheet metal, extrusions, castings, and conductors.
This is a live, active scope with real production stakes. The parts you'll own run through Sanmina Plant 4 today, and a single supplier issue on a part as small as a strap or a top cover can slow down an entire production line. You'll join a supply chain team responsible for sourcing every component, managing manufacturing operations, and building the vendor relationships needed to produce and deliver home battery systems at scale.
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.