Electric vehicles
10 EV battery supply chain experts
These ten procurement and supply chain professionals have sourced battery cells, battery raw materials and battery components for electric vehicle makers. A reader can learn how automakers secure cell supply, negotiate with battery and materials suppliers, and manage critical minerals.
Professionals to explore
01—10Dinesh Swamynathan
LinkedInExperience: Director, Battery Supply Chain · Tesla
Director, Battery Supply Chain at Tesla since July 2020; the profile headline gives the title as Senior Director, Battery Supply Chain. The profile describes a leadership role in procurement and industrialization of cells and cell raw materials, and in responsible sourcing of critical metals such as nickel, lithium and cobalt.
Heba Hammoud
LinkedInExperience: Procurement Senior Manager - Battery Cell & Module · Volvo Cars
Procurement Senior Manager - Battery Cell & Module at Volvo Cars since January 2023, with leadership responsibility for battery cells and modules in a dual role as commercial and people manager in Volvo Cars Procurement. The profile also lists Global Category Manager & Team manager - Hybrid Driveline at Volvo Cars (from 2022).
Helge Scheel
LinkedInExperience: Head of Group Purchasing BEV-Batterycells -modules Volkswagen AG · Volkswagen Group
Former Head of Group Purchasing BEV-Batterycells -modules Volkswagen AG at Volkswagen Group (2021–2025), based in Wolfsburg, and Head of Supplier Management HV Battery at Volkswagen Group in 2025. The profile also lists Corporate Sourcing Analyst to Executive Director Purchasing Metals Volkswagen AG (2015–2019) and Team Lead Purchasing Chassis and Powertrain at Volkswagen Group of America (2019–2021).
Liz Aurre
LinkedInExperience: Sr. Purchasing Manager, Battery Cell Raw Materials · Ford Motor Company
Sr. Purchasing Manager, Battery Cell Raw Materials at Ford Motor Company since November 2021; the profile headline ties the role to Model e and lists battery raw materials, metals cost structure, supplier management and contract negotiations. The profile also lists Global Category Manager - Base Metals Regional Procurement Mgr. at BASF (2015–2021).
Mingi Jo
LinkedInExperience: Senior Manager (Procurement Specialist) · Kia Worldwide
Senior Manager (Procurement Specialist) at Kia Worldwide since June 2024; the profile headline describes the role as EV Battery Cell Procurement, Senior Manager at Kia. The profile cites strategic purchasing of battery cells and cell materials such as separator, Cu-foil, Al-pouch, tape and adhesives, and lists Procurement specialist at SK On (2020–2024).
Preston Zhang
LinkedInExperience: Manager, Battery Supply Chain, Cell Materials · Tesla
Former Manager, Battery Supply Chain, Cell Materials at Tesla (2019–2021), where the profile describes global supply management of EV/ESS battery materials, owning sourcing strategy, supplier negotiations and cost optimization for Tesla in-house and cell partnerships. Director, Strategic Materials Engineering & Procurement at Panasonic Energy Corporation of North America since October 2025.
Ryohei Watanabe
LinkedInExperience: Senior Purchasing Manager - EV battery e-Powertrain · Nissan Motor Corporation
Senior Purchasing Manager - EV battery e-Powertrain at Nissan Motor Corporation since April 2024, assigned from Japan to focus on regional EV battery, e-Powertrain and battery raw materials purchases and strategy. At Nissan Ryohei Watanabe was also Purchasing Manager - EV battery Battery Raw Materials (2021–2023).
Tara Berrie
LinkedInExperience: Director, Battery Cell Materials & Rare Earths · Rivian
Director, Battery Cell Materials & Rare Earths at Rivian since April 2025, a role the profile describes as leading global procurement for battery materials and rare earths. Other roles include Senior Group Manager (Battery Metals, Recycling, Components, ESG) at Rivian (2022–2025), Global Supply Manager (Battery Metals) at Tesla (2020–2022) and Commercial Executive (Lithium) at Allkem Limited, now Rio Tinto (2016–2021).
Trevor Babi
LinkedInExperience: EV Battery Critical Minerals & Commercial Operations Manager · General Motors
Former EV Battery Critical Minerals & Commercial Operations Manager (2024–2025) and Program Manager Battery Cells and Electrical Vehicles (2021–2025) at General Motors, and Director of Purchasing Mid-Size ICE Trucks & Full-Size Electric Trucks there since December 2025. The profile cites managing critical mineral and battery operations and redesigning a full battery pack in six months.
Will Lyu
LinkedInExperience: Manager, Purchasing, High Voltage Battery Pack · Fisker
Former Manager, Purchasing, High Voltage Battery Pack at Fisker (2023–2024), leading a team of battery buyers and analysts, representing the company in negotiations with major global EV battery conglomerates and overseeing more than $300 million in annual contracts. The profile also lists Systems Engineering Manager - Advanced Purchasing at VIA Motors (2018–2023).
Choose the right perspective
Match the person to the layer of the supply chain behind your question, since cell sourcing, raw material and metals purchasing, and pack or component buying involve different suppliers and contracts. Check whether each person's battery role is current before asking about recent pricing or supplier terms.
Questions to take into the conversation
- 01How do you structure long-term contracts for battery cells or raw materials when metal prices swing sharply?
- 02How do you qualify a new cell or materials supplier, and what usually delays qualification?
- 03How do you weigh localization and sourcing-rule requirements against cost when choosing battery suppliers?
About this directory
This is a professional research starting point based on business profile data retrieved on . Titles and companies reflect that source snapshot and may describe past or present roles. Check the linked profiles for current details. Inclusion does not imply Instant Expert membership or availability.
Request a correction or removal