Category Manager

Eagle Wireless•Solon, OH

14d

About The Position

Eagle Wireless is seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead sourcing and category strategy for its new Wireless Routers product line. This is a build-from-scratch mandate: the role will define supplier strategy, negotiate commercial terms, and establish the cost and quality foundation for the category. The Category Manager owns the strategic sourcing function end-to-end as a hands-on, single owner, with scope to grow the function and potentially a team as the category scales. Plant procurement teams handle day-to-day purchase order execution, expediting, and delivery scheduling; this role focuses on strategic sourcing and category management. The role develops supplier relationships and sourcing strategies across ODMs, chipset vendors, and component suppliers, and applies expertise in supplier landscapes, cost structures, and BOM economics. It works with Sales, Engineering, Quality, Program Management, Marketing, and Product Development on sourcing, RFQs, new product introductions, product lifecycle strategy, and portfolio management. The Category Manager also monitors market, pricing, allocation, technology, and regulatory developments affecting wireless networking and consumer electronics.

Requirements

At least 5 years of hands-on strategic sourcing or procurement experience, including at least 3 years sourcing wireless routers, CPE, or Wi-Fi networking hardware.
Existing direct working relationships with router/CPE ODMs and Wi-Fi chipset vendors; candidates should be prepared to identify specific vendors they have personally sourced from.
Strong command of BOM costing, cost breakdown negotiation, and should-cost analysis.
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or a related field.
Excellent negotiation, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Experience with ERP/procurement systems such as SAP or NetSuite.
Willingness to travel internationally to Asia for supplier visits, approximately 20–30%.
Fluent English.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute the sourcing and category strategy for the Wireless Routers segment.
Identify, qualify, and select ODM and component suppliers, including chipset, RF front-end, PCB, mechanical, and packaging suppliers.
Establish a dual- or multi-sourcing strategy to mitigate supply chain risk.
Lead cost modeling and profitability analysis to assess supplier cost structures and identify cost-reduction and value-optimization opportunities.
Conduct competitive bidding to select suppliers based on quality, price, delivery, and service performance.
Own strategic supplier relationships, including performance scorecards, quarterly business reviews, and escalations concerning cost, quality, and capacity.
Represent the category in senior-level supplier business reviews and executive escalations.
Lead commercial negotiations on pricing, BOM cost breakdowns, payment terms, and contracts.
Build and maintain cost benchmarks and should-cost models for router platforms.
Establish cost-down and design-to-cost principles for the category.
Own category strategy across the product lifecycle, from initial sourcing and supplier selection through NPI and cost-downs, partnering with plant procurement teams on execution and delivery.
Partner with Sales, Engineering, Quality, and Program Management on RFQs and new product introductions.
Ensure supplier and category compliance with applicable industry regulations, certifications, and quality standards, including FCC, CE, and Wi-Fi Alliance requirements.
Monitor component market trends, allocation risk, and pricing movements, and translate them into sourcing actions.
Track industry trends, emerging technologies, and regulatory changes affecting wireless networking and consumer electronics.
Perform market analysis of competitor offerings and pricing strategies.
Work with Sales, Marketing, and Product Development to align sourcing strategies with market demands and customer requirements.
Provide strategic sourcing input and guidance for new product development and portfolio management.
Prepare regular reports on category performance, supplier metrics, cost savings, and other key performance indicators.
Use data-driven insights to guide decisions and continuously improve category strategy.