Category Manager Level 5

Aston Carter•Princeton, NJ

4d•$150,000 - $170,000•Hybrid

About The Position

This hands-on role owns a defined category or sub-category end to end in a fast-growing, AI-driven environment. The Category Manager leads sourcing strategy, manages suppliers, negotiates commercial terms, and delivers cost and performance improvements while partnering closely with engineering and operations teams. The position offers significant ownership and the opportunity to grow into a more strategic category leadership role over time. The role is based in Princeton, New Jersey, and is hybrid, combining on-site collaboration with remote work flexibility. It operates in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with demand associated with AI and capital equipment investments, and involves frequent interaction with suppliers in semiconductor and capital equipment categories. The position is permanent. The stated pay range is $150,000–$170,000 per year; individual compensation depends on qualifications, skills, experience, job knowledge, location, internal equity, and other job-related factors.

Requirements

At least 10 years of experience in sourcing and procurement roles.
At least 3 years of experience owning a category or sub-category with direct end-to-end responsibility.
Hands-on supplier management experience, including performance oversight and relationship management.
Build-to-print experience, including sourcing and managing components based on detailed engineering specifications.
Experience with semiconductor-related categories and capital equipment sourcing.
Strong negotiation skills for pricing, terms, and supplier agreements.
Ability to analyze data and cost drivers to guide sourcing strategy and decisions.
Capability to identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including capacity and single-source issues.
Experience using scorecards and KPIs to monitor and improve supplier performance.

Nice To Haves

Track record of driving cost savings and cost optimization initiatives in complex categories.
Experience partnering closely with engineering and operations teams to support technical and operational sourcing needs.
Comfort working in a high-growth environment with rapidly expanding demand tied to AI and advanced technologies.
Strong communication and collaboration skills for cross-functional work and supplier interactions.
Strategic mindset and desire and potential to grow into a broader strategic category leadership role.

Responsibilities

Own and execute sourcing strategy for a defined category or sub-category from end to end.
Manage the full supplier lifecycle, including selection, onboarding, and ongoing performance management.
Lead negotiations for pricing, commercial terms, and supplier agreements to achieve cost and value targets.
Drive cost savings and cost optimization initiatives across the assigned category.
Partner with engineering and operations teams to align sourcing decisions with technical and operational requirements.
Monitor and manage supplier performance using scorecards, KPIs, and other performance metrics.
Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including capacity constraints and single-source dependencies.
Analyze data, cost drivers, and market trends to support sourcing strategy and informed decision-making.
Execute sourcing initiatives from start to finish, ensuring timely delivery and alignment with business objectives.
Apply build-to-print sourcing expertise, particularly within semiconductor and capital equipment categories.