Materials Business Unit Head

<p><strong>About Us:</strong></p> <p>SES AI Corp. (NYSE: SES) is dedicated to <strong>accelerating the world’s energy transition</strong> through groundbreaking material discovery and advanced battery management. We are at the forefront of revolutionizing battery creation, pioneering the integration of <strong>cutting-edge machine learning</strong> into our research and development. Our AI-enhanced, high-energy-density and high-power-density Li-Metal and Li-ion batteries are unique; they are the <strong>first in the world</strong> to utilize electrolyte materials discovered by AI. This powerful combination of "AI for science" and material engineering enables batteries that can be used across various applications, including <strong>transportation (land and air), energy storage, robotics, and drones</strong>.</p> <p>To learn more about us, please visit:&nbsp;<a href="http://www.ses.ai">www.ses.ai</a></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>What We Offer:</strong></p> <ul> <li>A highly competitive salary and robust benefits package, including comprehensive health coverage and an attractive equity/stock options program within our NYSE-listed company.</li> <li>The opportunity to contribute directly to a meaningful scientific project—accelerating the global energy transition—with a clear and broad public impact.</li> <li>Work in a dynamic, collaborative, and innovative environment at the intersection of AI and material science, driving the next generation of battery technology.</li> <li>Significant opportunities for professional growth and career development as you work alongside leading experts in AI, R&amp;D, and engineering.</li> <li>Access to state-of-the-art facilities and proprietary technologies are used to discover and deploy AI-enhanced battery solutions.</li> </ul> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>What we Need:</strong></p> <p>We are seeking an exceptional Leader to head SES's global Materials BU, owning strategy, P&amp;L, customer development, product direction, and cross-functional execution across the U.S., Asia, and EU. This role combines business development, product/market leadership, and technical fluency in next-generation battery materials, with responsibility for scaling commercial electrolyte and materials programs that support our ESS and Drone platforms. We are seeking a hands-on, first-principles operator with deep experience in the chemical, materials, or electrolyte ecosystem - preferably with strong Japan/Korea industry networks - and the ability to drive both commercial and technical outcomes.</p> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>&nbsp;</strong></p> <p><strong>Essential Duties and Responsibilities:</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Strategic Leadership:</strong></p> <p>- Own all Sales and Business Development for Materials BU, including revenue, gross margin, cost structure, and annual operating plan.</p> <p>- Develop and execute a 1-3 year strategy covering markets, partners, product priorities, and capacity needs.</p> <p>- Build annual/quarterly plans with Finance, Legal, and executive leadership.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Market Development &amp; Customer Expansion (US/EU focus):</strong></p> <p>- Lead go-to-market strategy for electrolyte and key battery materials, driving growth with enterprise OEM, Tier-1, and chemical supplier customers.</p> <p>- Expand commercial relationships across Japan and Korea, leveraging existing networks and establishing new strategic partnerships.</p> <p>- Develop, negotiate, and close major supply, co-development, and licensing agreements.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Product &amp; Portfolio Leadership (Materials + AI):</strong></p> <p>- Translate customer requirements into a prioritized materials R&amp;D roadmap that supports SES's ESS and Drone cells.</p> <p>- Guide R&amp;D and external partners to improve time-to-qualification and yield.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Commercial Excellence:</strong></p> <p>- Establish pricing, packaging, commercial models, and contracting frameworks.</p> <p>- Create disciplined pipeline management and forecasting processes.</p> <p>- Partner with engineering and R&amp;D to streamline technical-to-commercial handoffs.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Operations, Quality &amp; JV Management:</strong></p> <p>- Collaborate with Operations, QA, and EHS across global facilities.</p> <p>- Oversee JV performance, governance, budgets, and KPIs.</p> <p>- Align S&amp;OP, capacity, supply chain, and materials flow with BU revenue goals.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Cross-BU Integration:</strong></p> <p>- Synchronize Materials BU output with ESS and Drone program milestones.</p> <p>- Ensure materials qualification aligns with testing timelines.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Team Leadership &amp; Culture:</strong></p> <p>- Build and lead a high-leverage hybrid team.</p> <p>- Recruit talent with strong KR/JP chemical/electrolyte industry experience.</p> <p>- Foster a culture of energy, humility, learning, and first-principles thinking.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>External Engagement &amp; Industry Presence:</strong></p> <p>- Represent SES at conferences and trade shows.</p> <p>- Develop external messaging, positioning, and collateral.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Education and/or Experience:</strong></p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>- 10-20+ years in materials, chemicals, battery supply chain, electrolytes, or adjacent industries.</p> <p>- Strong BD and deal-making track record with OEMs, Tier-1s, or chemical companies.</p> <p>- Experience in Japan/Korea markets.</p> <p>- Demonstrated P&amp;L ownership.</p> <p>- Hands-on, first-principles thinker with customer and factory-floor experience.</p> <p>- Product/tech-driven environment experience.</p> <p>- Excellent English; Japanese or Korean a plus.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Preferred Qualifications:</strong></p> <p>- Strong Japan/Korea industry networks in the chemical/electrolyte ecosystem.</p> <p>- Experience negotiating and closing major supply, co-development, and licensing agreements for electrolyte and battery materials.</p> <p>- Experience operating globally across the U.S., Asia, and the EU, including JV governance and performance management.</p><div class="content-pay-transparency"><div class="pay-input"><div class="description"><p>The salary range for this position as required under applicable pay transparency laws.</p></div><div class="title">Salary Range</div><div class="pay-range"><span>$240,000</span><span class="divider">&mdash;</span><span>$290,000 USD</span></div></div></div>