Global Category Manager - Memory & Semiconductors

Zebra Technologies•Austin, IL

51d•Hybrid

About The Position

At Zebra, we are a community of innovators who come together to create new ways of working. United by curiosity and a culture of caring, we develop smart solutions that anticipate our customer’s and partner’s needs and solve their challenges. Being part of Zebra Nation means you are seen, heard, valued, and respected. Drawing from our unique perspectives, we collaborate to deliver on our purpose. Here you are part of a team pushing boundaries today to redefine the work of tomorrow for organizations, their employees, and those they serve. You’ll have opportunities to learn and lead in a forward-thinking environment, defining your path to a fulfilling career while channeling your skills toward causes you care about—locally and globally. Come make an impact every day at Zebra. We are seeking a highly strategic Global Category Manager for Memory & Semiconductors to lead one of our most critical hardware supply chains. In this role, you will be much more than a tactical buyer; you will act as a key advisor to our engineering and business leadership. By applying your deep knowledge of silicon market cycles, fab capacity dynamics, and semiconductor pricing trends, you will define and execute 1- to 3-year strategic category plans. You will navigate complex global supply markets, secure long-term continuity of supply for critical components (DRAM, NAND, logic, microcontrollers), and foster executive-level relationships with tier-1 technology partners.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree required (Supply Chain, Engineering, Business Administration, or Finance preferred).
8+ years of progressive strategic sourcing and category management experience, with a mandatory minimum of 3-5 years specifically managing semiconductor, memory, or complex electronic component categories.
Deep understanding of the semiconductor manufacturing lifecycle, supply chain complexities, and key market players.
Must reside in the US with the ability to work a hybrid schedule (3 days in office, 2 days remote) out of either Lincolnshire, IL, Holtsville, NY or Austin, TX.
Some light travel to be expected.

Nice To Haves

MBA or industry certifications (CPSM, CPIM) are a strong plus.
Ability to translate complex engineering requirements into strategic sourcing strategies.
Mastery of complex, high-stakes contract negotiations.
Exceptional ability to present to, influence, and inspire trust with executive leadership both internally and externally.
Proven ability to navigate volatile market conditions and manage allocations during industry shortages.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute comprehensive, multi-year category strategies for Memory and Semiconductors, aligning supplier capabilities with our hardware engineering roadmaps and business objectives.
Act as the internal subject matter expert on semiconductor market trends, fab capacity constraints, and pricing cycles. Proactively identify supply chain risks and develop robust mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply.
Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing events. Negotiate complex global master agreements, capacity reservations, and pricing models with tier-1 semiconductor manufacturers and distributors.
Cultivate and manage strategic partnerships with key silicon suppliers. Conduct regular Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and drive supplier innovation, performance, and continuous cost improvements.
Partner tightly with Hardware Engineering, Product Management, and Supply Chain teams to influence early design decisions, ensuring we are designing for supply chain resilience and optimal Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
Manage a high-value global spend portfolio. Drive analytics, perform detailed TCO modeling, track market indices, and deliver against aggressive savings and value-creation targets.