Category Manager - Electronics

Salient Motion•Torrance, CA

5d•$160,000 - $175,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Category Manager, Electronics owns the electronics supply base that feeds Salient Motion's actuator, power supply, and integrated system product lines. This is a strategic, high-visibility role: the mandate is to set commodity strategy for PCBAs, connectors, power conversion components, motor drives, and avionics-adjacent electronics, and to be the strategic authority the business relies on when a supplier problem threatens a program milestone. This role works directly with engineering, program management, and quality to translate design intent into a resilient, cost-competitive supply base, and requires U.S. Person status due to the export-controlled nature of the components and programs involved.

Requirements

5+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, category management, or supply chain for electronic components, ideally in aerospace, defense, or another regulated manufacturing environment.
Demonstrated experience sourcing semiconductors, PCBAs/electronic sub-assemblies, connectors, and power electronics.
Working knowledge of DMSMS/obsolescence management practices.
Experience negotiating supply agreements, pricing, and long-term commitments with distributors and OEM electronics manufacturers.
Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems and counterfeit electronic parts avoidance (AS5553/AS6081).
Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field, or equivalent experience.
Must qualify as a U.S. Person under ITAR (22 CFR §120.15).

Nice To Haves

Experience with ERP/MRP systems (e.g., NetSuite, SAP, Epicor) for demand planning and PO management.
Prior experience supporting flight controls, actuation systems, or aircraft systems programs.
Exposure to power supply or motor drive commodity sourcing specifically.

Responsibilities

Own category strategy and supplier selection across PCBAs, connectors, power supplies, motor drives, and electronic sub-assemblies/cable assemblies.
Lead sourcing for new programs from RFQ through award, negotiating cost, lead time, and terms that protect program margin and schedule.
Manage component allocation risk and lead-time volatility; build multi-source and second-source strategies to protect production continuity.
Drive a proactive obsolescence program for electronic components across active and legacy platforms.
Partner with design engineering during development to influence component selection for cost, and availability.
Lead or support supplier corrective action for quality escapes tied to electronic components.
Negotiate and manage long-term agreements, pricing tiers, and consigned inventory arrangements with key electronics distributors and manufacturers.
Monitor and report commodity market trends (tariffs, shortages, conflict) and their impact on cost and availability.
Ensure supplier compliance with AS9100, ITAR/EAR, and counterfeit-parts avoidance requirements (AS5553).
Support make/buy analysis and total-cost-of-ownership modeling for electronics commodities.