Head of Supply Chain & Strategic Partnerships

About Exergy3

Exergy3 is a Scottish cleantech enterprise specializing in the innovation and commercialization of high-temperature Thermal Energy Storage (TES) systems to facilitate industrial decarbonization. The technology converts excess electricity into stored heat for direct use in industrial processes, replacing natural gas usage and significantly lowering carbon emissions without necessitating process redesign by customers.

With over half of global CO² emissions stemming from industrial heat generation, Exergy3 delivers a scalable, dependable, and economical solution enabling industries to reduce their carbon footprint without compromising operational efficiency.

Following recent investment, the company is progressing from prototype technology to commercial rollout, focused on advancing a ready-to-market product, establishing strategic partnerships and supply chain ecosystems for scaling, and setting industry standards in the UK and Germany.

The Role

The Head of Supply Chain & Strategic Partnerships (based in Edinburgh or Munich) will lead the design and build-out of Exergy3's supply chain capabilities, transitioning from prototype manufacturing to consistent commercial production. This crucial leadership position requires strategic commercial and operational oversight to establish manufacturing partnerships that ensure scalability, product quality, cost-effectiveness, and reliable delivery.

This role involves close collaboration with the Technical Director (product and systems team), Project Delivery team (managing active projects), and Commercial team (cost management and client commitments), reporting directly to the Chief Commercial Officer and participating as part of the commercial operational leadership team.

The position offers a unique chance to create the supply chain foundation for a pivotal European industrial decarbonization technology within a fast-growing cleantech company, providing high autonomy and influence over both supply chain strategies and organizational culture.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop and own a comprehensive supply chain strategy covering raw material procurement, contract manufacturing, and delivery to customer sites.
• Establish a robust network of suppliers and manufacturing partners to enable scale-up from first-of-a-kind (FOAK) to repeatable next-of-a-kind (NOAK) commercial deployments.
• Create sourcing plans for key components such as heating elements, refractory systems, pressure vessels, electrical parts, control systems, and insulation.
• Enhance supply chain resilience, lead times, and reliability as product lines and customer base expand.
• Define the supply chain framework for European operations, especially Exergy3 GmbH in Munich, by identifying fabrication partners and logistics strategies within Europe.
• Forge long-term partnerships with fabrication and specialist manufacturers meeting quality, timing, and cost requirements.
• Onboard new European manufacturing partners, focusing on DACH-region fabricators to support pipeline growth.
• Negotiate framework agreements, heads of terms, long-term collaborations, and preferred vendor arrangements ensuring commercial certainty and continuity.
• Manage commercial and operational relationships with strategic partners and subcontractors.
• Lead procurement activities across engineering, projects, and commercial functions, ensuring competitive selection and timely delivery aligned with project timelines.
• Manage supplier selection including RFQs, tenders, and contract negotiations for equipment, components, materials, and services.
• Develop supplier contracts and performance agreements with suitable protections; resolve disputes and contractual challenges when necessary.
• Drive ongoing cost reductions while preserving quality and delivery, supporting design efforts to manage costs.
• Oversee post-Brexit import/export logistics for equipment between UK and European client sites.
• Qualify new suppliers to Exergy3 standards, including capability assessments, quality system evaluations, and financial stability checks.
• Implement supplier performance management systems with KPIs, reviews, and continuous improvement plans.
• Promote supplier quality, conduct audits, and manage non-conformance issues through root cause analysis and corrective actions.
• Maintain an Approved Vendor List ensuring procurement and engineering collaborate on current approved sources.
• Collaborate with the Technical Director to align product design with manufacturing capabilities, providing early input on risks, lead items, and cost drivers.
• Improve manufacturability, repeatability, and costs as products evolve from FOAK to NOAK.
• Support supply chain contributions to live projects, managing long-lead items, scheduling, and logistics coordination up to customer delivery.
• Mitigate supply risks during project execution in partnership with the Project Delivery team.
• Develop procurement policies, governance frameworks, and risk mitigation strategies to support growth.
• Assist in maintaining ISO 9001 quality management systems within supply chain activities.

Candidate Requirements

• Degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant technical discipline.
• Extensive experience in industrial supply chain, procurement, or manufacturing leadership within complex engineered product companies.
• Proven ability to build supplier ecosystems rather than manage pre-existing vendor lists.
• Experience working with outsourced manufacturing and contract manufacturers.
• Skilled in negotiating commercial contracts, framework agreements, and supplier performance contracts.
• Familiarity with managing and resolving commercial disputes and contract issues.
• Experience collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering teams to translate engineering requirements into clear supplier specifications.
• Technical literacy sufficient to understand engineering drawings, P&IDs, and specifications and communicate effectively with fabricators and engineers.
• Preferred: background in energy systems, industrial equipment, or capital equipment supply chains; EPC project delivery experience; familiarity with first-of-a-kind or scale-up technology environments; European industrial supplier network and knowledge of German language advantageous; experience with procurement tools.

Personal Attributes

• Strategic thinker with practical, hands-on approach.
• Relationship-focused and collaborative.
• Commercially astute and technically confident.
• Resilient, pragmatic, and supportive of team success.

Employee Benefits

• Competitive remuneration package.
• Opportunity to participate in stock option schemes.
• Annual leave: 34 days in the UK (including public holidays) or 30 days in Munich (excluding public holidays).
• Company pension scheme.
• Flexible hybrid working arrangements.
• Compressed work hours.
• Annual allowance of up to 15 remote workdays from abroad.

Company Values

Exergy3 embraces principles of respect for challenging work, transparent communication, ownership mentality, focus on effective execution, openness to learning from mistakes, and fostering a supportive, enjoyable workplace culture. The company is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring a welcoming environment for all employees.