Level 4 Category Manager

Aston Carter•Franklin Township, NJ

8d•$98,000 - $160,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Level 4 Category Manager owns and executes the sourcing strategy for a defined category within a fast-paced manufacturing environment. You will manage supplier relationships end to end, drive cost savings and cost optimization, and ensure consistent supply performance while partnering closely with engineering, operations, and procurement teams. This is a hands-on, execution-focused role with strong ownership of category performance, where you will lead negotiations, manage supplier performance, and deliver measurable sourcing improvements in a rapidly growing organization tied to AI-driven demand.

Requirements

At least 8 years of experience in sourcing, procurement, or supply chain roles.
At least 3 years of experience owning a category or sub-category; direct category ownership is required.
Proven experience in supplier management and performance oversight, including hands-on supplier relationship management.
Demonstrated experience negotiating contracts and delivering measurable cost savings.
Experience working in a manufacturing, hardware, or industrial environment.
Strong cross-functional collaboration experience with engineering, operations, or supply chain teams.
Understanding of cost drivers and total cost of ownership (TCO) concepts.
Understanding of supply chain risks and approaches to risk mitigation.
Strong analytical skills, including advanced Excel capabilities and cost breakdown analysis.
Hands-on experience with supplier selection, onboarding, and performance management.
Experience running supplier scorecards, regular reviews, and structured performance management processes.
Ability to understand what is being sourced and ask the right questions when working with technical components.
Comfort working with engineering teams and technical stakeholders.

Nice To Haves

Experience in semiconductor, capital equipment, or advanced manufacturing environments.
Exposure to global sourcing and working with international suppliers.
Experience managing complex or highly technical components.
Strong communication skills and stakeholder management capabilities.
Ability to interpret drawings at a high level and understand how they relate to sourcing decisions.
Desire to grow into a more strategic category leadership role over time while maintaining hands-on ownership.
Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a high-growth, rapidly scaling environment with significant demand.
Track record of delivering measurable cost savings, sourcing improvements, and supply risk mitigation.

Responsibilities

Own and execute the sourcing strategy for a specific category or sub-category from end to end.
Manage supplier selection, onboarding, and ongoing performance management for assigned suppliers.
Lead negotiations for pricing, commercial terms, and supplier agreements to deliver cost savings and value.
Drive cost savings and cost optimization initiatives across the category, including total cost of ownership improvements.
Partner with engineering, operations, and supply chain teams to support sourcing decisions and category initiatives.
Monitor and manage supplier performance using scorecards, KPIs, and regular business reviews.
Run supplier relationships, including regular reviews, performance discussions, and continuous improvement activities.
Identify and mitigate supply chain risks such as capacity constraints and single-source dependencies.
Analyze data and cost drivers to support sourcing strategies, decisions, and prioritization of initiatives.
Develop and execute sourcing initiatives from start to finish, ensuring on-time delivery of results.
Ensure effective management of the category supplier base, including rationalization and performance improvement.
Proactively identify and address supply risks to maintain continuity of supply and support business growth.
Collaborate consistently with cross-functional stakeholders to align on requirements, timelines, and outcomes.
Support the management of complex or technical components, working closely with technical teams to understand needs.