Global Category Manager - Electronics
16 days ago
Cambridge
Location: Cambridge, CB4 Type: Permanent Hours: 8.30am - 4.30pm (Monday to Friday) Salary: Circa £95,000 depending on experience Job Reference: 35982 Our client, a multinational technology manufacturer, is seeking a Global Category Manager - Electronics to lead the strategic sourcing of electronic components, assemblies and outsourced electronic manufacturing services (EMS). This is a senior, globally focused role responsible for category strategy, supplier management, cost reduction and supply risk mitigation across international manufacturing operations. Responsibilities - Develop and execute the global electronics category strategy, aligned with cross-functional and business objectives - Monitor local and international supply markets, technology trends and cost drivers to inform sourcing decisions and risk management - Analyse global and cross-divisional spend to identify cost-reduction, value-engineering and standardisation opportunities - Build, manage and continuously optimise a competitive global supplier portfolio, including qualification, performance management and development - Establish and maintain long-term strategic supplier relationships to drive cost competitiveness, quality, delivery and innovation - Identify and mitigate category-specific supply risks, including obsolescence, EOL, long lead times and single-source exposure - Lead global RFQs, contract negotiations and demand consolidation to leverage scale and secure optimal commercial terms - Define and implement inventory and supply-chain resilience strategies, including VMI, buffer stock and consignment models - Support make-or-buy decisions and outsourcing strategies for electronic assemblies and EMS partners - Drive implementation of category strategy through regional buyers and sourcing teams, providing guidance and escalation support - Monitor savings, supplier performance and supply continuity, ensuring quality and regulatory compliance - Provide regular reporting and insights to senior sourcing leadership Requirements - Degree in a technical discipline, ideally combined with business or commercial training - Proven experience in strategic sourcing or category management, with several years in the electronics industry - Strong understanding of global supply markets, electronics manufacturing and supplier ecosystems - Demonstrated expertise in contract management and complex commercial negotiations - Strong analytical capability with experience in spend analysis, cost modelling and savings tracking - Confident cross-functional leader with the gravitas to own the role, influence senior stakeholders and drive decision-making - Tenacious, resilient and accountable, with the ability to challenge the status quo and drive behavioural change across the organisation - Self-starter with a high level of ownership, initiative, and the ability to operate effectively with limited direction - Experience working in international, multi-site environments with cultural awareness - Good working knowledge of quality and supplier assurance methodologies (e.g. FMEA, PPAP, SPC) - Fluent English communication skills%3B willingness to travel internationally on a regular basis (20-30%) Please contact us as soon as possible for more details or apply below