Senior Vice President, Supply Chain

Company Overview

Focused Energy is the leading laser-driven fusion company, pursuing the most promising path to clean, limitless fusion power. With locations in Darmstadt, Germany, and the San Francisco Bay Area, we bring together top scientific and engineering minds to unlock commercially viable fusion energy using proven technologies. We are driving the next chapter of economic growth and scientific innovation through the widespread adoption of clean, abundant fusion energy.

Role Overview

As we transition from advanced R&D into industrialization, we are seeking an SVP, Supply Chain to establish and scale our global supply chain function from first principles.

This is a foundational leadership role responsible for designing, building, and operating an end-to-end supply chain capable of supporting highly complex, capital-intensive systems with long development cycles and mission-critical performance requirements. You will partner closely with engineering, science & technology, finance, and leadership to ensure that our supply chain becomes a strategic enabler of innovation, reliability, and growth.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience managing complex, high-value technical systems, with long product lifecycles and globally distributed supplier networks. You are equally comfortable defining strategy and rolling up your sleeves to build the systems, processes, and team needed to scale.

What You’ll Do:

Build & Own the Supply Chain Function

• Establish the supply chain strategy, operating model, and organizational structure from the ground up

• Build and lead a high-performing, globally distributed team across sourcing, procurement, planning, logistics, and supplier quality

• Define and implement core systems, processes, and governance to support scale

Strategic Sourcing & Supplier Ecosystem Development

• Identify, evaluate, and develop a global network of suppliers capable of supporting highly technical, high-precision components and systems

• Lead complex sourcing strategies for long-lead, high-cost components (€50M–€200M+ systems)

• Negotiate and manage strategic supplier relationships, contracts, and partnerships

Support Product Development & Industrialization

• Partner with engineering to integrate supply chain early into design, development, and product introduction cycles (3+ years)

• Drive Design for Supply Chain (DFSC), cost optimization, and risk mitigation across the product lifecycle

• Ensure readiness for transition from R&D to pilot and eventual scaled production

Lifecycle & Program Management

• Manage supply chain strategies across long product lifecycles (10–20 years), ensuring reliability, serviceability, and cost control

• Develop long-term sourcing, obsolescence management, and continuity planning strategies

• Support program execution with robust planning, forecasting, and delivery management

Risk Management & Resilience

• Build risk-based frameworks to manage geopolitical, operational, and supplier risks across global networks

• Establish dual sourcing, contingency planning, and supply continuity strategies

• Ensure compliance with regulatory, export control, and quality requirements

Operational Excellence & Systems

• Implement scalable tools and systems (ERP, planning, supplier management, analytics)

• Develop KPIs, dashboards, and reporting cadences to drive performance and transparency

• Continuously improve processes to balance speed, cost, and reliability

Cross-Functional Leadership

• Act as a strategic partner to Engineering, Manufacturing, Finance, and Executive Leadership

• Align supply chain strategy with company milestones, capital planning, and technical roadmaps

• Communicate trade-offs, risks, and opportunities clearly to senior stakeholders

Who You Are:

• 15+ years of supply chain experience in complex, high-technology environments (e.g., energy, aerospace, semiconductors, advanced manufacturing)

• Proven experience supporting multi-year product development cycles (3+ years) and managing long product lifecycles (10–20 years)

• Track record of sourcing and managing high-value, capital-intensive systems (€50M–€200M+)

• Deep experience building and managing globally distributed supplier networks and cross-functional teams

Core Capabilities

• Strong expertise in strategic sourcing, supplier development, and contract negotiation

• Experience integrating supply chain into engineering and product development processes

• Demonstrated ability to build and scale supply chain functions from early-stage to maturity

• Strong understanding of risk management, global logistics, and supply continuity planning

• Familiarity with ERP systems, planning tools, and data-driven decision-making

Leadership & Mindset

• Builder mentality: thrives in ambiguity and enjoys creating structure from scratch

• Strategic thinker with strong operational execution skills

• Able to balance long-term vision with near-term delivery

• Strong communicator, capable of influencing technical and executive stakeholders

• Collaborative and pragmatic, with a bias toward action and continuous improvement

What we offer:

• Innovative Technology & Mission: Be part of a cutting-edge company working on groundbreaking research in clean energy and scientific discovery.

• Career Development: We invest in our people. This is an opportunity to join an early, growing company at the forefront of new technology, where you’ll have the opportunity to develop and grow your career.

• Collaborative Culture: Work with great people in a dynamic, international environment with top-tier scientists, engineers and professionals passionate about solving global challenges.

• Ownership: Take ownership from day 1 and drive impact by making decisions, solving challenges and shaping the future of our company.

• Your Success is our Success: We offer a competitive salary and company ownership in the form of stock options, giving you a direct stake in our success and ownership in what we build together.

• Vacation Days: We support your work-life-balance by granting you 30 days of vacation per year.

• Snacks and Drinks: Our office fridges are never empty. Enjoy our healthy snacks and drinks. Our Darmstadt office even offers a subsidized canteen with delicious lunch options daily.

• Retirement Plan: If you decide for a private pension plan, we will finance 15% on top of your monthly contributions.

• Equipment: Choose between a state-of-the-art Windows or Apple Laptop. In addition, you will receive a keyboard, mouse and headset so you are fully equipped from day 1.

• Events: We organize regular events to foster team bonding, encourage collaboration, and build a strong, supportive company culture. Connect with colleagues across departments, share ideas, and have fun together, both in and outside of the workplace.

• Mobility with NAVIT: We partner with NAVIT to support your flexible commuting needs—whether it’s a public transportation ticket, taxi rides or car-sharing you choose what fits your lifestyle.

• Fitness with Wellhub: We care about your health. Get access to a wide range of gyms, fitness studios and wellness services across Europe through our partnership with Wellhub.

Focused Energy is an equal opportunity employer committed to creating an inclusive environment. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender perception or identity, national origin, age, marital status, protected veteran status, or disability status.

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, Focused Energy will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Compensation offered will be determined by factors such as location, level, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Certain roles may be eligible for incentive compensation, equity, benefits.