Category Manager – Security & Electronic Systems

M.C. Dean, Inc•Tysons, VA

6d•Onsite

About The Position

M.C. Dean is seeking a Category Manager – Security & Electronic Systems to develop and execute sourcing strategies for turnkey systems, software, equipment, and devices supporting their Security & Electronic Systems (SES) business line. This role involves managing access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, fire alarm, life-safety systems, structured cabling, audiovisual, software/licensing, and related low-voltage electronic systems. The Category Manager will oversee supplier selection, negotiation, and performance management, collaborating with internal teams to ensure supply continuity, cost-effectiveness, and compliance for critical projects. The categories managed align with the SES business unit's CSI-based taxonomy and may include Access Control & Intrusion Detection; Video Surveillance; Data Communications Network Equipment; Data Communications Hardware; Audio-Video Systems; Cable/Cabling & Terminations; and Battery/Power Equipment.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, or related field; equivalent experience considered in lieu of degree.
8+ years of category management, strategic sourcing, or procurement experience, with direct exposure to security, electronic systems, low-voltage, or related electrical/construction commodities with a Bachelor's.
Working knowledge of construction subcontract and purchase order structures (AIA and/or equivalent), including bonding, insurance, and lien-related provisions.
Working knowledge of FAR/DFARS flow-down requirements and CPSR documentation expectations.
Demonstrated supplier negotiation experience with measurable cost savings or cost-avoidance outcomes.
Strong analytical skills, including spend analysis and total cost of ownership modeling in Excel.

Nice To Haves

Experience procuring for federal, DoD, or mission-critical/data center projects.
Familiarity with access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, fire/life-safety product lines, or associated software/licensing models.
Experience sourcing turnkey systems integration services alongside hardware and software components.
Working knowledge of ITAR/EAR export control screening as applied to sourced hardware.
Experience supporting small business subcontracting plan attainment on federal contracts.
Exposure to subcontractor default insurance (SDI) programs or subcontractor risk/prequalification frameworks.
Experience with ERP/procurement systems (e.g., InfraLink, Purchasing Online, or equivalent) and sourcing platforms (BuildingConnected, Procore).
CPSM, CPSD, CPM, NCMA, or similar supply chain/contracts certification.

Responsibilities

Develop and own the category strategy for turnkey systems, software, equipment, devices, and subcontracted trade services within SES, including make-vs-buy analysis and total cost of ownership modeling.
Conduct ongoing market research on suppliers, emerging technologies, and pricing trends to inform category strategy and maintain a competitive supplier base.
Identify and correct manufacturer/supplier concentration risk within the category and build qualified alternates into the category plan.
Lead supplier identification, qualification, and prequalification for OEMs, software/technology vendors, and subcontractors within the category, in coordination with Risk Management's subcontractor default/SDI framework.
Negotiate master/enterprise pricing agreements, rebate structures, and volume commitments with OEMs, distributors, and software/licensing vendors.
Manage vendor performance scorecards covering cost, quality, on-time delivery, and compliance; drive corrective action plans with underperforming suppliers.
Partner with Estimating and Business Development during proposal development to validate category pricing, availability, and subcontractor/vendor teaming for pursuits.
Structure commercial enterprise terms (rebates, price protection, ship-and-debit) for large commercial customers, keeping federal and commercial agreement terms cleanly segregated where required.
Ensure category sourcing decisions and supplier agreements satisfy FAR/DFARS flow-down requirements, and support CPSR audit readiness through complete purchase order file documentation, price/cost analysis records, and sole-source justifications.
Apply certified cost/pricing data and price reasonableness analysis on federal buys exceeding applicable thresholds.
Monitor supply chain risk for the category, including single-source exposure, NDAA/Section 889, Buy America(n)/TAA compliance, and ITAR/EAR export control screening; maintain dual-source and contingency plans for categories supporting mission-critical federal delivery schedules.
Support the category's contribution to the small business subcontracting plan, identifying and qualifying small, veteran-owned, and disadvantaged suppliers where the category and contract vehicle require it.
Partner with SES Engineering during design/BOM development, before designs lock, to steer specifications toward strategically sourced, multi-sourced, or lower-total-cost parts.
Support contract structuring on category purchase orders and subcontracts, including flow-down of prime contract terms, bonding/insurance requirements, and pay-if-paid/pay-when-paid provisions in coordination with Legal.
Maintain supply chain documentation for the category, including sourcing files, supplier agreements, compliance records, and audit trails.
Track category-level spend analytics, including cost savings/avoidance vs. baseline, purchase price variance (PPV), and maverick spend outside negotiated agreements.
Produce a monthly category out-brief report to Procurement and SES leadership summarizing spend, savings/cost-avoidance, supplier performance, compliance status, and risk items.
Evaluate and onboard new suppliers and technologies (e.g., emerging access control, cybersecurity-hardened OT devices) to strengthen the category's competitive position.
Support sourcing system initiatives (e.g., BuildingConnected/Procore-based subcontractor sourcing) relevant to the category.