Director of Procurement - Network Infrastructure

ABOUT ZENOBE

Our mission is to make clean power accessible. We are passionate about making a positive impact on communities and the environment where we work. We’re designing, financing, building and operating the world’s most sophisticated battery systems to enable the take up of more renewable power, electrifying fleets for cleaner air, and providing clean, portable power including repurposed electric vehicle batteries. Our proprietary software and data analysis optimises operational performance for our customers to reduce emissions and costs.

Since we began in 2017, we’ve raised over £2.7 billion in debt and equity funding and transformed it into >1.2GW of grid-connected batteries live or under contract and c.3,400 electric vehicles supported. We have operations in the UK, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and the US and Canada, with a global headquarters in London. We’re the leading owner and operator of battery storage in the UK, supporting the National Grid with the uptake of renewable power. We also work with c.90% of the UK's major bus companies, powering 25% of the UK e-bus market. We’re also the number one owner and operator of e-buses in Australia and New Zealand, and are quickly expanding into light commercial vehicles and trucks. Our rapidly growing company is looking for highly talented and motivated people to join us.

THE OPPORTUNITY

We are looking to recruit a Director of Procurement with experience in the energy industry to lead the global procurement function for Zenobe Network Infrastructure, supporting the growth of the business in the UK and internationally and working on some of the most interesting and large-scale BESS projects in the world.

As Director of Procurement, you will own the strategy, governance and delivery of procurement across all aspects of transmission-scale BESS projects, from battery systems, power conversion and high-voltage equipment through to balance of plant, construction and operational technology packages. You will build the supplier relationships, commercial frameworks and supply chain resilience that allow us to deliver global projects on time, on budget and to the required quality, whilst protecting long-term asset performance through robust OEM warranty and service arrangements.

The role sits within the Operations leadership team, integrating with colleagues in engineering, development, delivery, asset management, operational technology, legal and finance. As we scale to a 4GW+ portfolio, you will also work alongside our CISO and compliance teams to ensure that supplier and supply chain risks, including cybersecurity, sanctions and ethical sourcing, are managed effectively.

This is an opportunity to make a real impact during a period of significant business growth, defining the global procurement strategy for the company and providing strategic guidance and accountability for the function in the UK and across new markets (US, GER). The role is flexible in location, but will require travel to and from international offices, supplier facilities and the London Head Office.

A TASTE OF THE DAY TO DAY

• Accountable for the global procurement strategy for Zenobe Network Infrastructure, covering all packages required to deliver transmission-scale BESS projects.
• Define and implement category strategies for major equipment and services, including battery systems and ancillary equipment, supergrid transformers, HV switchgear, balance of plant and SCADA and OT hardware.
• Lead sourcing and negotiation of high-value supply, construction and services contracts, including pricing, commercial terms, liabilities, warranties and performance guarantees.
• Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships, framework agreements and preferred supplier lists with global OEMs and contractors, including supplier performance management and escalation.
• Secure long-term OEM warranties, service agreements and spares arrangements in partnership with Asset Management and Engineering.
• Manage supply chain risk, including long lead-time items, capacity reservation, logistics, price volatility, tariffs, trade restrictions and supplier financial resilience.
• Work with Development, Construction and Engineering to align procurement timelines with project programmes, grid connection milestones and financing requirements.
• Partner with Legal and Finance on contract structures, payment terms and security packages, ensuring procurement outputs meet lender and investor due diligence requirements.
• Establish and maintain the procurement operating model, policies, approval frameworks and systems, ensuring transparency, compliance and value for money across all regions.
• Embed ethical and responsible sourcing, including modern slavery, human rights, supply chain traceability and carbon footprint requirements, in line with Zenobe's sustainability commitments.
• Work with the CISO to ensure supplier cybersecurity and OT security requirements are specified, assured and monitored through the procurement process.
• Use market intelligence and spend data to forecast pricing, benchmark costs and identify opportunities for standardisation, cost reduction and innovation, including defining the long-term strategy for in-house vs. outsourced packages.
• Build and lead a high-performing procurement team across the UK and scale the team through international markets (US and Germany), fostering a culture of commercial rigour, collaboration and accountability.
• Contribute as a member of the Operations leadership team to wider operational strategy, planning and budgeting.
• Represent Zenobe in supplier, industry and investor engagements related to procurement and supply chain.

Health and Safety

Actively contribute to Zenobe's commitment to health and safety, wellbeing and sustainability by integrating these principles into daily responsibilities, ensuring a safe and supportive work environment, promoting both the physical and mental health of self and colleagues, and adopting sustainable and energy-efficient practices to minimize environmental impact.

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

We realise that certain groups of people are less likely to apply for a role if they don’t meet 100% of the job requirements. To be absolutely clear: if you like the look of this job and think you could do it well, we encourage you to apply with a CV that highlights your transferable skills and experience. Above all, Zenobē is looking for collaborative, flexible, empathetic people who are interested in creating and promoting practical routes to a zero carbon world.

Required Skills / Competencies / Experience:

• Proven experience (10+ years) in procurement or commercial leadership within the energy, utilities, infrastructure or heavy industrial sectors, including leading a function at senior level. Experience in BESS or other large-scale renewables is a plus.
• Track record of procuring and contracting major packages for transmission-scale or other large grid-connected energy infrastructure, such as battery systems, power conversion systems, transformers and HV equipment.
• Experience of global supply chains and international sourcing, including managing trade, tariff, logistics and compliance risk.
• Strong understanding of EPC, EPCM and supply contract structures (e.g., FIDIC), warranty and liability regimes, and long-term service agreements.
• Excellent negotiation, stakeholder management, leadership and communication skills, with the ability to engage executive leadership, investors and lenders.
• Relevant degree in Engineering, Business, Supply Chain or a related field; CIPS or an equivalent professional qualification is a plus.
• Strong planning, risk management and organisational skills, team player.
• Pragmatic, proactive and solution driven.
• Experience leading and developing high performing teams.
• Strong commercial skills – comfortable with legal contracts and project commercials.
• Desire to work in a fast moving, high pressure and entrepreneurial environment.

Essential competencies:

• Strategic and commercial judgement: balances cost, risk, quality and programme to make sound decisions on high-value packages.
• Negotiation and influence: secures favourable outcomes and builds trusted, long-term supplier partnerships. Can think outside the box to deliver unique, industry first supplier agreements and contracting strategies.
• Leadership: builds, develops and empowers a high-performing team across global regions.
• Risk and resilience: anticipates supply chain disruption and acts early to protect delivery and asset performance.
• Collaboration: works seamlessly across engineering, delivery, legal, finance and operations.

WORKING AT ZENOBE

We’re passionate about sustainability and are proud to offer Team Zenobē a pioneering and collaborative working environment. We encourage our people to take ownership of their career progression and celebrate those that can think outside the box.

If you’d like to join our community of likeminded people hit the apply button now, we’d love to hear from you!

WHAT WE OFFER

• Up to 33% annual bonus for being awesome.
• 25 days holiday, increasing with length of service up to 30 days, plus bank holidays.
• Private Medical Insurance.
• £1,500 training budget per year, to ensure you grow as we do.
• EV Salary Sacrifice Scheme.
• Pension scheme, up to 8% matched contributions.
• Enhanced parental leave.
• Cash back health plan.
• Fertility Leave.
• Payroll giving, charitable donations.
• Plus more.

Lots of our people work flexibly in many different ways, including part-time, flexitime and hybrid working. We can’t promise to give you exactly what you want, but please talk to us about the flexibility you need and let’s see how we can make it work.

Please note: Unfortunately, we are unable to provide visa sponsorship or financial support towards visa-related costs for this role. Including indefinite leave to remain (ILR).

OUR APPROACH TO DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION

Our people are our strongest asset and the key determinant of our success, and we value a range of skillsets and perspectives. As an equal opportunity employer, we do not discriminate on the basis of any protected attribute. We work to provide equal opportunities and an inclusive work environment, where everyone is fairly treated in the application process and through their career at Zenobē. If there are any adjustments that would help improve your experience with Zenobē, please let us know when you apply.