Category Manager – Electronic Systems
Overview: We are seeking a strategic and results-driven Category Manager for the Electronic Systems portfolio. This critical role focuses on managing key suppliers and driving procurement strategies for materials essential to our products, including motors, cables, wires, printed circuit board assemblies (PCBA), and semiconductors. The Category Manager will collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners to deliver financial performance, supply reliability, and compliance across the portfolio. This role offers an exciting opportunity to shape sourcing strategies, optimize supplier relationships, and contribute to innovative solutions in a dynamic environment.
Key Responsibilities:
Sourcing and Strategy Development:
- Lead and support sourcing initiatives to identify and partner with the best suppliers.
- Perform spend analysis and gather market intelligence to align with business objectives.
- Drive financial performance, quality, reliability, innovation, and growth through strategic sourcing.
- Develop and execute RFQs, negotiate contracts, and manage cost-saving initiatives.
- Support new product development by sourcing materials and establishing supplier partnerships.
Supplier Management:
- Build and maintain robust relationships with suppliers to drive performance and value creation.
- Conduct regular business reviews, monitor supplier performance, and implement improvement plans.
- Collaborate with suppliers to drive innovation and mitigate risks.
- Optimize the supply base through diversification and capability development.
Category Strategy and Market Insights:
- Develop and implement category strategies through business needs assessment, supplier evaluation, and market analysis.
- Stay informed on market trends, competitor activities, and technological advancements to create proactive sourcing strategies.
- Engage stakeholders to align category strategies with organizational goals.
Contracting and Compliance:
- Manage contract creation, approvals, and administration to ensure alignment with procurement strategies.
- Maximize financial and operational performance while minimizing risk through effective contract management.
Project Support:
- Represent procurement in end-to-end supply chain initiatives, including capacity planning and technology adoption.
- Lead and support projects within the defined spend scope to meet key procurement KPIs.
- Identify and escalate risks impacting procurement or supply chain operations.
Qualifications:
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Operations, Supply Chain Management, or related field; MBA/MS preferred.
- Minimum of 6 years of procurement experience, preferably in category management or strategic sourcing.
- Knowledge of electronics or electrical engineering (preferred but not required).
- Familiarity with motors, cables, wires, PCBA, and semiconductor industries is advantageous.
- Strong understanding of procurement principles, supplier management, and supply chain operations.
- Exceptional communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
- Experience with SAP or similar ERP systems preferred.
- Continuous improvement/Lean/Six Sigma experience (Black Belt preferred).
- Willingness to travel internationally (up to 30%) based on business needs