SOURCING CATEGORY MANAGER JOB DESCRIPTION

A Sourcing Category Manager owns commodity and supplier strategy for hardware components - semiconductors, printed circuit board assemblies, and related electronics - within a supply chain organization serving high-volume consumer products. This person answers to procurement leadership while working daily alongside hardware engineering and contract manufacturing partners. The role is hard to do well because cost, risk, and technology roadmap decisions must move together.

As the Sourcing Category Manager, you develop and execute sourcing strategies for electronic components and hardware categories that reduce total cost of ownership and protect supply continuity for high-volume consumer products. You report into the procurement organization and partner with engineering, quality, and contract manufacturing teams to drive supplier selection, contract negotiation, and ramp readiness from development through production.

Career Impact: Owning BOM-level supplier decisions for high-volume consumer electronics builds the kind of commodity expertise - particularly in semiconductors and silicon solutions - that is in short supply and commands increasing market value.

Business Impact: When a component goes on allocation or a single-source supplier misses a ramp milestone, production lines stop; the Sourcing Category Manager is the person who prevents that outcome by holding contingency plans and supply base alternatives in place.

Growth Opportunity: The combination of cost modeling, contract negotiation, and cross-functional engineering collaboration in this role creates a direct path toward Senior Sourcing Category Manager or global commodity leadership positions.

Company Value: Employers in this space typically offer employee pricing on hardware products, onsite wellness facilities, and flexible paid time away as part of their total rewards package.

• Own commodity and supplier strategy for assigned electronic component categories, including semiconductors and silicon solutions.
• Develop negotiation strategies that deliver cost reductions, favorable commercial terms, and sustainable supplier relationships.
• Lead RFQ processes, evaluate alternative suppliers, and drive final selection in partnership with engineering and quality teams.
• Conduct Value Analysis and Value Engineering on current products to identify cost reduction opportunities.
• Formulate contingency plans addressing long lead times, single-source dependencies, and supply disruption risks.
• Manage supplier ramp plans, production forecasts, and tooling qualification schedules for designated suppliers.
• Influence supplier technology roadmaps to ensure architecture and commercial requirements are met at scale.
• Monitor market intelligence on component technology trends, supply conditions, and pricing to inform sourcing decisions.

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or business, or equivalent work experience.
• 5 or more years of strategic sourcing experience in high-volume consumer electronics or hardware technology, with demonstrated cost reduction results.
• Supply chain background with hands-on experience in supplier evaluation, should-cost modeling, and contract negotiation.
• Familiarity with semiconductor, IC, or printed circuit board assembly supply chains and component lead time dynamics.
• Ability to analyze spending patterns and leverage volume to consolidate and optimize the supply base.
• Strong negotiation and communication skills with experience engaging suppliers and cross-functional stakeholders at multiple organizational levels.
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally for supplier visits and business reviews.

• MBA or advanced degree in engineering or a quantitative discipline.
• Experience managing suppliers with manufacturing operations in China and Asia, including factory audits and ramp oversight.
• Mechanical or electrical engineering background with working knowledge of board layout, power architectures, or data signal integrity.
• International business experience with exposure to global component markets and cross-border procurement.

• BOM cost reduction percentage achieved per product cycle, measuring negotiation and value engineering outcomes.
• Supplier on-time delivery rate for designated component categories, reflecting ramp plan execution.
• Number of single-source dependencies resolved or mitigated through qualified alternates, tracking supply risk reduction.
• RFQ cycle time from initiation to supplier selection, measuring sourcing process efficiency.
• Clear to Build attainment rate, indicating how reliably the supply base supports production schedules.
• Typical tools: ERP platforms (commonly SAP or Oracle); procurement analytics and sourcing event management tools (commonly Coupa or Ariba).

• Base Salary Range: $110,000 to $145,000 annually, varying by seniority and location.
• Bonus: Annual performance bonus typically 10 to 15 percent of base salary.
• Equity: RSU grants common at technology hardware companies, vesting over 4 years.
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage; life insurance standard.
• PTO: 15 to 20 days annually plus paid holidays; some employers offer flexible time away.
• Common Perks: Employee product discounts, onsite gym or wellness stipend, professional development budget.

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background checks are a standard condition of employment for this role, and offers are contingent on successful completion. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available to individuals with disabilities throughout the application and employment process. Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.

The Sourcing Category Manager owns supplier relationships and category strategy across strategic components, supporting BOM decisions for new products and driving supply chain execution for a consumer electronics business. Reporting to procurement leadership and collaborating with category managers and engineering teams, this role delivers market intelligence and cost optimization that protect supply continuity and fuel product development.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage relationships with suppliers in strategic categories.
• Collaborate with category managers to escalate supply constraints with component suppliers.
• Create and pursue category and supplier strategy.
• Play a key role in BOM decisions for new products.
• Gather market information on components including technology trends, supply, and cost.
• Conduct Value Analysis and Value Engineering on current products.
• Support engineering builds on supply chain execution.
• Travel domestically and internationally for supplier visits.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required, MBA preferred.
• 5–7 years of experience in related fields with successful demonstration of results.
• Supply chain background required.
• Familiarity with the high-volume consumer electronics industry.
• Engineering background helpful.
• International business background strongly preferred.
• Knowledge of component suppliers, finished goods suppliers, and innovation functions.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Strong time management skills.

Benefit

• Paid holidays and flexible paid time away.
• Choice of Mac or PC.
• Employee pricing on smart home products.
• Casual dress code with onsite gym, gaming tables, and health clinic.
• Medical, dental, vision, and life coverage.

Embedded within the global procurement function, the Senior Sourcing and Category Manager develops and executes sourcing strategy for energy spend and delegated categories including Capital Constructions and Facilities Management, leading end-to-end sourcing events, contract negotiations, and supplier enablement programs. Working closely with cross-functional stakeholders across finance, operations, and legal, this role produces measurable savings, compliance outcomes, and supplier optimization that advance the organization's long-term procurement vision.

Leadership Responsibilities

• Build and implement a world-class global procurement strategy for energy spend and assist in developing the long-term procurement vision.
• Lead supplier management programs within the energy category and a team of category buyers for delegated areas of spend.
• Define the sourcing strategy, market requirements, and data analytics approach for commodity-based purchases.
• Assess ongoing changes in business requirements and assist in negotiating contracted price, commercial terms, and change impacts.
• Perform data analytics, forecast demand, and identify baselines for purchasing that meet prioritized business requirements.
• Negotiate with suppliers on final pricing and commercial terms during sourcing events.
• Assist in the end-to-end contracting process, including drafting, finalizing, negotiating, and approving contracts and contract amendments.
• Engage internal stakeholders and suppliers to ensure contracting and purchase order terms are fulfilled.
• Manage the execution of sourcing events from end to end, including price negotiations, vendor quote tracking, supplier selection, and contract review and approval.
• Support suppliers and the organization throughout the process by resolving inquiries and disputes.
• Manage supplier enablement and eMarketplace content including system updates.
• Prioritize and validate potential strategic options, determine benefit cases, and measure performance against established KPI benchmarks.

Qualifications & Experience

• Bachelor's degree required, with a minor in business, operations, economics, procurement, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 8 years of related experience required.
• Strong people management and development skills required.
• Proven experience running category buying teams preferred.
• Indirect procurement buying experience preferred.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office required.
• Strong communication skills and ability to interact with multiple teams and levels across the organization.
• Strong influencing, independent thinking, and planning and prioritization skills.

Reporting to supply chain leadership, the Sourcing Category Manager develops and executes strategic sourcing plans for server hardware and contract manufacturing supporting growing data center infrastructure, analyzing industry trends across vendors, customers, and technology to reduce cost and protect supply continuity. Partnering with supply chain, engineering, and business organizations, this role delivers negotiated supplier agreements and competitive positioning insights that fuel exponential infrastructure growth.

Core Functions

• Create strategic sourcing plans for a business unit, department, or project to satisfy internal clients.
• Take action and advise business partners to reduce costs focused on the supply base, creating greater efficiencies and economies of scale.
• Own analysis of spending patterns for savings opportunities through the category and become a subject matter expert for assigned verticals.
• Ensure priorities are handled effectively by modifying plans and actions within the area of accountability.
• Lead sourcing engagements and sourcing teams in opportunity identification and RFIs where appropriate.
• Develop negotiation strategies to deliver against business objectives and achieve sustainable supplier relationships.
• Evaluate supplier core competencies and competitive positioning using industry cost models.
• Review and approve a comprehensive list of suppliers for bid processes by analyzing the industry to understand trends and competitive positioning.
• Negotiate and implement supplier agreements and contracts by working with cross-functional stakeholders and suppliers to reach agreement on terms and conditions.
• Manage supplier relationships and establish a primary business contact role for key suppliers.

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or business required.
• MBA or advanced degree in engineering or other quantitative disciplines preferred.
• 4+ years of related industry experience accepted in lieu of a degree.
• Minimum of 5 years of strategic sourcing experience in high technology.
• Minimum of 7 years of related supply chain procurement and contracting experience.
• 7–10 years of total professional experience.
• Experience in semiconductor, printed circuit board assembly, or electronics systems industry preferred.
• Ability to analyze and determine opportunities to leverage and consolidate the supply base using system-level tools and techniques.
• Strong negotiation skills with a passion for technology.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• High attention to detail with proven ability to manage multiple competing priorities simultaneously.
• General manager mentality with entrepreneurial drive and proven ability to influence others.
• Excellent creative thinking skills with emphasis on developing innovative solutions to complex problems.
• Experience communicating with and influencing C-level executive management.

Sitting at the intersection of supply chain strategy and electrical engineering, the Sourcing Category Manager serves as domain expert for board electrical solutions including actives and passives, owning the full ramp and production plan for designated suppliers while benchmarking industry trends to ensure best practices are embedded in the supply chain. Operating across engineering, quality, contract manufacturing, and executive-level supplier relationships, this role influences supplier technology roadmaps and manages RFQ processes that de-risk technical challenges and protect production schedules.

Primary Duties

• Support development of commodity and category sourcing strategies ensuring suppliers meet current and future technical and business requirements.
• Serve as domain expert in board electrical solutions including actives and passives.
• Continually benchmark the industry to monitor technology trends and ensure best practices are incorporated into the supply chain.
• Support supplier selection criteria, evaluate alternative suppliers, manage the RFQ process, and drive final supplier selection in partnership with engineering, quality, and other cross-functional partners.
• Formulate contingency plans to de-risk technical challenges, long lead times, single-source dependencies, and supply issues.
• Institute programs to optimize schedule flexibility while minimizing excess inventory exposure.
• Work with contract manufacturer partners to resolve part shortages or quality problems affecting production schedules.
• Own the ramp plan, ongoing production plan and forecast, tooling qualification schedule, and tooling life for all designated suppliers.
• Influence supplier technology roadmaps and create internal disruptive value-add to ensure system architecture and commercial requirements are met.
• Establish and manage strategic supplier relationships at the executive level.

Skills & Qualifications

• BS degree required.
• Advanced engineering degree or MBA preferred.
• 5+ years of work experience in sourcing or related fields associated with ICs, semiconductors, or silicon solutions.
• 7+ years of sourcing experience with 3+ years managing suppliers with factories in China and Asia.
• Experience with high-volume consumer electronics products.
• Experience in supplier evaluation and selection, should-cost models, contract negotiation, and supply base management.
• Mechanical or electrical engineering background with working experience in board layout, data signal integrity, power architectures, or CAD.
• Material management and Clear to Build proficiency.
• Experience communicating with and influencing all levels of management.

A key member of the procurement team, the Sourcing Category Manager sources and evaluates vendors across construction, meter installation, safety, and HR services categories while conducting pricing analysis, fair negotiations, and contract reviews with internal and external stakeholders. Collaborating across business units and legal to manage SOW creation, evaluation criteria, and supplier scorecards, this role ensures category assignments for contract services and goods meet utility industry requirements and stakeholder expectations.

Duties

• Source new vendors to respond to RFPs.
• Perform pricing analysis.
• Conduct fair and reasonable negotiations with vendors.
• Work with business units to create the SOW, evaluation criteria, and scorecards to evaluate vendor responses.
• Maintain communications with stakeholders, keeping them informed of any necessary changes to specifications or terms of service with the supplier.
• Evaluate and analyze incumbent and potential suppliers and coordinate legal review of contracts with internal and external stakeholders.
• Manage category assignments for contract services and goods in construction, meter installation, leak survey, safety, and HR services.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required.
• Certified Professional in Supply Management or Project Management Professional or Six Sigma certification preferred.
• Utility or energy industry experience required.
• Solid analytical skills with hands-on experience to analyze and produce accurate conclusions based on key data.
• Ability to foresee market trends and stay ahead of competition.
• Strong negotiation skills with vendors.
• Strong stakeholder management skills.
• Strong organizational and problem-solving skills.

Strong enterprise sourcing outcomes depend on the Sourcing Category Manager, who leads cross-functional teams through focused sourcing processes, applies advanced RFx methodologies, and selects vendors through comparative market analysis to build and maintain national programs for IT and professional services categories. Based within the procurement organization and working across technology, operations, finance, and legal, this role refines supplier performance, negotiates complex technology agreements, and identifies process savings opportunities that deliver measurable enterprise-level value.

Functions

• Build strong partnerships with internal partners to identify new opportunities for negotiated cost savings and measure business impact.
• Coordinate activities across IT organizations to effectively interact with IT professionals at all levels.
• Apply advanced sourcing methodologies including RFx sourcing processes to develop negotiating strategies that enable effective negotiations, vendor management, and process improvement.
• Select vendors and service providers by conducting comparative market analysis, assisting with strategic planning, managing logistical issues, developing pricing, and resolving escalated vendor issues.
• Develop and maintain strong market knowledge for assigned operations and existing national programs.
• Lead cross-functional teams through a focused sourcing process and project management to support sourcing, supply management, and operations objectives.
• Work with the legal department to mitigate risk through review of legal and business terms.
• Identify new business requirements and opportunities for cost savings including process savings and process improvements.
• Review branch participation in agreements and address vendor or program concerns.
• Monitor, measure, and audit program performance.
• Communicate effectively with vendors, customers, and senior management.
• Advise sourcing personnel to achieve maximum benefit through continuous improvement of goods and services.

Professional Experience

• BA or BS or equivalent experience preferred.
• Certified Professional in Supply Management or equivalent experience preferred.
• Project Management Professional or equivalent experience preferred.
• 5+ years of experience working directly with suppliers to conduct and lead direct negotiation of contracts.
• Extensive knowledge within multifaceted IT and professional services categories.
• Knowledge of software, hardware, and enterprise IT solutions.
• Knowledge of current IT trends, vendor capabilities, and changes within the technology landscape for traditional and emerging solutions.
• Experience negotiating complex technology agreements for hardware, software, services, and enterprise solutions.
• Proficiency in contract development including key contracting principles, standard terms, laws, regulations, and industry standards.
• Experience optimizing supplier performance including contract compliance, continuous improvement, and reduction in total cost of ownership.
• Proven ability to deliver value through effective enterprise-level negotiations across multiple indirect spend categories.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams in the accomplishment of company goals.
• Creative and innovative approach to finding solutions and negotiating strategies.
• Proven leadership skills with the ability to lead others.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with colleagues across technology, operations, finance, and legal.

As the Global Sourcing Category Manager, this role leads tendering activities and negotiates large and complex service and maintenance contracts for onshore and offshore wind projects across APAC, ANZ, and EMEA, developing optimized sourcing and supplier relationship management strategies that reduce LCOE and advance energy storage and hybrid project delivery. The renewable energy procurement function relies on this work to maintain comprehensive supply chain intelligence on wind turbine generator manufacturers, manage quarterly business reviews, and report procurement performance and strategy to board-level stakeholders.

Accountabilities

• Lead and drive tendering activities including qualification, evaluation, negotiation, and preparation of contract award decisions for offshore wind projects.
• Support global operational onshore and offshore wind projects and manage negotiation of large and complex service contracts including service and maintenance agreements and long-term technical support agreements.
• Develop an optimized and standardized tendering process for service and maintenance contracts and manage sourcing and supply chain strategies.
• Develop and implement active supplier relationship management with service providers for onshore and offshore wind turbine generators.
• Facilitate product-to-design mapping and product roadmap creation to optimize and standardize design innovation for future projects.
• Iterate design engineering and optimization of wind, hybrid, and energy storage projects across multiple geographies.
• Lead project cost engineering and LCOE scenario analysis for optimizing product, design, and cost metrics across geographies.
• Manage comprehensive supply chain and cost intelligence on wind turbine generator manufacturers, competitors, and customer models.
• Identify, qualify, onboard, and manage suppliers for assigned category in cooperation with sustainability and supply quality functions.
• Conduct quarterly business reviews with partner wind turbine generator manufacturers and EPC contractors.
• Report to internal stakeholders including board level on performance metrics and procurement strategy.
• Plan and execute tendering projects in alignment with legal, asset management, and engineering stakeholders.
• Work with legal to negotiate wind turbine component equipment and service contracts.
• Oversee project delivery management across geographies and coordinate on operational excellence.
• Propose procurement plans and sourcing strategies for projects.

Technical Qualifications

• BSc in power, aeronautical, electrical, mechanical, or chemical engineering, supply chain management, or legal required; MSc or MBA is an advantage.
• Certification in project management or procurement management such as CPM, CPSM, CSCP, or CIPS preferred.
• Minimum of 7–10 years of experience in global sourcing, sales, operations, procurement, or project management.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in the renewable energy industry with a focus on purchasing wind turbine components, solar EPCs, and wind balance of plant contracts.
• Strong understanding of wind turbine generator markets including suppliers, value chain, and technologies.
• Previous experience doing business in APAC, ANZ, and EMEA.
• Ability to communicate with numerous external and internal parties at different levels in a project environment.
• Fluency in spoken and written English required; proficiency in German, Spanish, or Mandarin is an advantage.

Sourcing Category Manager advances strategic sourcing for mechanical and control sub-systems for data centers and mission-critical facilities, executing end-to-end sourcing plans globally and leading competitive bidding including RFI, RFQ, and RFP engagements. The work directly supports procurement leadership and cross-functional business partners who rely on accurate forecasting, optimized supplier agreements, and cost reduction outcomes to sustain infrastructure delivery at scale.

Strategic Responsibilities

• Develop negotiation strategies to deliver against business objectives and achieve sustainable relationships with strategic suppliers pertaining to mechanical and control sub-systems for data centers or other mission-critical facilities.
• Create and execute strategic sourcing projects that support development of an end-to-end sourcing plan globally.
• Influence suppliers' manufacturing processes, technology decisions, and policies in ways that are mutually beneficial and sustainable by leveraging growth in spend.
• Negotiate and implement supplier agreements and contracts by working with cross-functional stakeholders and suppliers to reach agreement on contract terms and conditions.
• Analyze and determine cost reduction opportunities by leveraging volumes, optimizing the supplier base, and reducing total cost of ownership.
• Analyze and understand data to create accurate forecasting.
• Lead sourcing engagements and competitive bidding including RFI, RFQ, and RFP.
• Work with the team and business partners for creation and continuous improvement of the supply chain.
• Track internal metrics for executing projects and sourcing plans.
• Make optimal trade-offs between schedule, resources, and scope and apply advanced technical and business knowledge to address major risks, challenges, and obstacles.
• Help develop long-term department strategies and significantly influence cross-company project development and delivery processes.

Background & Experience

• Bachelor's or advanced degree in electrical or mechanical engineering, business, or a related technical or quantitative field required.
• 4+ years of related industry experience accepted in lieu of a degree.
• MBA or advanced degree in engineering or other quantitative disciplines preferred.
• 6+ years of experience with strategic sourcing or procurement of hardware.
• 2+ years of experience in program, project, or product management or leading implementation of a product.
• Experience in data centers, infrastructure service providers, or similar technology companies preferred.
• International procurement experience preferred.
• Ability to extract insights from data and communicate appropriate triggers and actions clearly.
• Sound judgment with excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Excellent creative thinking skills with emphasis on developing innovative solutions to solve complex problems.

The Global Sourcing Category Manager shapes category strategy and supply base management across new product introductions and global operations, leading RFQ processes, supplier selection, and negotiations while collaborating with analytics, platform, and innovation teams to drive productivity enhancement, risk mitigation, and capacity development. Reporting to senior supply chain leadership and coordinating with master scheduling, manufacturing, and distribution centers, this role delivers savings, supplier compliance, and continuous improvement outcomes that support long-term organizational growth.

Operational Focus

• Manage annual turnover in spend, create and implement category strategies supported by a strong understanding of the organization's strategies, competition, and the industry.
• Scope and create projects for productivity enhancement, risk mitigation, and capability and capacity enhancement.
• Collaborate with the analytics team to develop category savings approaches utilizing the strategic sourcing model.
• Assist in developing, leading, and managing category and supply chain strategy and the supply base.
• Ensure coordination with platform and innovation teams on key project and product development.
• Lead projects to resource and award components to support sourcing strategies while ensuring all project milestone tasks are completed on time.
• Ensure suppliers comply with the code-of-conduct program including global citizenship, ethics, and standards of conduct.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders to improve supplier performance through the supplier scorecard and development of continuous improvement action plans.
• Support implementation and sustainability of the risk management program by understanding supplier capabilities, financial health, and operational performance.
• Provide the voice of the supply base to the organization while representing the organization to the supply base.
• Lead RFQ, supplier selection, negotiations, and issue purchase orders for design validation through PPAP for new product introductions.
• Collaborate with master scheduling, planning, manufacturing, distribution centers, and external suppliers to ensure customer expectations are met.

Experience & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, or engineering required; MBA or other graduate degree preferred.
• ASCM certification desirable.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in a global sourcing or supply chain environment.
• Prior project management experience leading a cross-functional team to achieve a desired goal.
• Injection molding category management experience a plus.
• Working knowledge of ERP and Microsoft Office.
• Analytical, negotiating, and relationship-building skills.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strategic thinking ability with capacity to set long-term SMART goals.
• Must be able to travel up to 20% of the time domestically and internationally for supplier visits, business audits, and category education.

Embedded within the global product development and procurement function, the Sourcing Category Manager leads RFQ development, competitive bidding, and cross-functional sourcing decisions from concept through component qualification and launch for a multinational company in the plumbing industry. Working closely with business units, marketing, engineering, and external suppliers, this role builds qualified supplier relationships, identifies cost savings, and drives on-time new product launches that strengthen competitive positioning in global markets.

Day-to-Day Responsibilities

• Work with business units, marketing, and project teams to support new product development and new business expansion globally.
• Develop RFQs, competitive bidding, total delivered cost analysis, supply chain design, negotiation, and supplier selection.
• Lead new project sourcing decisions with cross-functional teams and drive supplier commitment for on-time project launch.
• Observe and communicate new technology and opportunities in the supplier base or industry to product development teams and business units.
• Identify and develop new suppliers, new products, and processes.
• Coordinate and participate in design collaboration including co-development, design reviews, and design transfers with participating suppliers.
• Support qualification of new components and finished goods and manage sourcing roles including tooling, sample orders, and relevant troubleshooting.
• Develop and execute category and supplier strategies to maintain a competitive position in the plumbing industry.
• Manage supplier relationship and performance including delivery, quality, risk, and code of conduct.
• Develop cost savings projects to achieve a leading cost structure.

Knowledge Skills & Abilities

• Bachelor's degree required; engineering major preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant work experience in multinational companies, with at least 3 years in sourcing project management.
• SAP knowledge preferred.
• Highly organized and result-driven with solid negotiation and effective communication skills.
• Demonstrated experience in strong analysis, problem solving, and managing tough and complicated projects.
• Strategic thinker with proven negotiation, communication, and people interaction skills.
• Fluent in English including speaking, listening, and writing.
• Willingness to travel frequently.