Category Manager (Spector)

Veeco•San Jose, CA

About The Position

Veeco is entering a period of accelerated growth driven by expanding demand across advanced semiconductor, AI, and high-performance computing markets. As our business scales globally, so does the complexity and strategic importance of our supply chain. We are hiring a Category Manager to help shape and lead sourcing strategies across a global category. This is not a transactional role—it is a high-impact leadership opportunity to build and optimize supply strategies that directly enable Veeco’s growth, innovation, and ability to deliver to customers worldwide. In this role, you will act as a true business partner across Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain, translating product and technology requirements into resilient, cost-effective, and scalable supplier strategies. You’ll develop deep market intelligence, build strong supplier partnerships, and lead initiatives that drive measurable business outcomes. This is an ideal opportunity for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and wants to own a category end-to-end, influence decision-making, and leave a lasting impact on a rapidly growing global organization.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field required
At least 8 years of experience in strategic sourcing, including 3 years managing global categories in a complex manufacturing or technology environment
Strong expertise in category management, strategic sourcing, supplier selection, and commercial negotiations
Ability to translate technical requirements into effective sourcing strategies and supplier decisions
Experience working with cross-functional teams in engineering-driven or product-centric organizations
Proven track record of delivering cost savings, supplier performance improvements, and risk mitigation outcomes
Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret market data, cost structures, and financial impacts
Skilled in supplier relationship management and development of global supply bases
Excellent communication and influencing skills across all levels of the organization
Proficiency in data analysis and presentation tools (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)

Nice To Haves

MBA preferred

Responsibilities

Own and evolve sourcing strategy for a global category aligned to your expertise, ensuring scalability to support Veeco’s growth trajectory.
Develop category roadmaps aligned with business objectives, focusing on total cost of ownership, supply continuity, innovation, and risk mitigation.
Build deep understanding of global supply markets, including cost drivers, capacity trends, emerging technologies, and supplier landscapes. Leverage insights to inform sourcing decisions and proactively position Veeco for competitive advantage.
Collaborate closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Program teams to align sourcing strategies with product and technology roadmaps.
Lead cross-functional initiatives to drive cost optimization, lead time reduction, and supplier performance improvements.
Develop and maintain strong strategic partnerships with key suppliers globally.
Evaluate, select, and onboard suppliers that align with Veeco’s quality, cost, and scalability needs.
Conduct business reviews and performance assessments, driving continuous improvement and accountability.
Lead complex negotiations to secure best-in-class terms across pricing, delivery, contracts, and service levels.
Structure agreements that balance cost competitiveness with long-term supply resilience.
Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including single-source dependencies, geopolitical factors, and capacity constraints.
Develop contingency strategies to ensure an uninterrupted supply in a dynamic global environment.
Drive initiatives that improve efficiency, supplier performance, and overall supply chain effectiveness
Introduce and scale best practices in category management across the organization