Supplier Business Manager

RFMW•San Jose, CA

9d•$140,000 - $185,000•Remote

About The Position

The Supplier Business Manager (SBM) is accountable for owning and developing RFMW’s strategic, long-term relationships with key suppliers, ensuring alignment between supplier strategy, RFMW’s growth objectives, and market execution. The role operates at a senior level, focusing on supplier partnership, market insight, portfolio strategy, and growth opportunity identification, working in close collaboration with regional and sales leadership, Product Management, Business Unit leaders, Marketing, and Executive stakeholders. The SBM acts as a trusted strategic partner to suppliers, proactively identifying opportunities to expand supplier presence into new markets, territories, and customer segments, while increasing RFMW’s market share and long-term commercial value as a distributor. This role sits within the Supplier Business Management team, reporting to the SVP, Global Sales, and operates in a matrix environment aligned to regional and global field sales teams. Regular travel is required to meet suppliers, support strategic initiatives, and attend relevant industry events and trade shows. RFMW [http://www.rfmw.com] IS AN ELECTRONIC COMPONENT DISTRIBUTOR OF RF AND MICROWAVE PRODUCTS. THE POSITION IS REMOTE AND CAN BE LOCATED ANYWHERE IN THE US.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Engineering, Electronics, Technology, or a related commercial or technical discipline, or equivalent professional experience.
Significant experience (typically 8–12+ years) in supplier management, strategic account management, product management, or commercial leadership within a technology, electronics, semiconductor, or component distribution environment.
Proven track record of owning and developing senior, long-term relationships with suppliers or partners, including engagement at director, VP, or executive level.
Demonstrated experience developing and executing multi-year joint business plans that drive sustainable growth across multiple regions or markets.
Strong understanding of go-to-market models, distributor–supplier dynamics, and channel strategy.
Experience leading Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) or equivalent senior-level governance forums with suppliers or strategic partners.
Regular exposure to international travel, supplier visits, and trade shows or industry events.
Strong strategic and commercial acumen, with the ability to develop and execute supplier strategies.
Proven ability to build and sustain executive-level supplier relationships.
Highly effective at influencing without authority in complex, matrixed, multi-country environments.
Deep understanding of technology markets and distributor–supplier dynamics.
Ability to identify and unlock growth opportunities across markets and territories.
Confident leading Quarterly Business Reviews and senior stakeholder forums.
Strong negotiation, relationship management, and cross-functional leadership skills.
Advanced proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, PowerPoint, Word), including executive-level presentation development.
Excellent communication and executive presence, with the ability to translate insight into action.
Resilient and adaptable, comfortable with travel and cross-cultural working.
This position requires use of information or access to hardware which is subject to the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR). To perform the position, you must be a U.S. Person as defined by ITAR. ITAR defines a U.S. person as a U.S. Citizen, U.S. Permanent Resident (i.e. ‘Green Card Holder’), Political Asylee, or Refugee.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this role. Only candidates authorized to work in the United States will be considered.

Nice To Haves

A technical or engineering-based education is advantageous, given the nature of RFMW’s supplier portfolio, but not mandatory where strong commercial and market expertise is demonstrated.
Postgraduate qualification (e.g. MBA or equivalent) or formal commercial/strategic training is desirable but not essential.
Background in RF, microwave, embedded, semiconductor, or adjacent high-technology markets.

Responsibilities

Strategic Supplier Relationship Management
Own and lead strategic relationships with assigned suppliers, positioning RFMW as a preferred long-term distribution partner.
Develop and maintain multi-year supplier strategies and joint business plans aligned to RFMW’s growth objectives.
Act as the primary executive-level interface between RFMW and supplier leadership, ensuring clear alignment on priorities, investments, and expectations.
Proactively manage and resolve relationship, commercial, and market challenges, balancing supplier and RFMW interests.
Market Insight & Growth Opportunity Development
Maintain a deep understanding of market trends, customer demand, competitive landscape, and technology direction relevant to assigned suppliers.
Identify, recommend, and drive new growth opportunities, including:
Entry into new markets
Expansion into new customer segments or applications
Portfolio expansion and supplier line-card optimization
Partner with sales leadership to translate supplier strategy into executable growth plans.
Portfolio & Supplier Expansion Strategy
Evaluate and recommend new supplier opportunities to strengthen RFMW’s portfolio and long-term strategic positioning.
Support the introduction and onboarding of new suppliers, ensuring alignment with RFMW’s commercial, operational, and market requirements.
Work closely with Product Management to ensure supplier portfolios remain relevant, competitive, and aligned to market demand.
Quarterly Supplier Business Reviews (QBRs)
Plan, coordinate, and lead Quarterly Supplier Business Reviews, working alongside sales leadership teams.
Ensure reviews are insight-driven, covering:
Performance vs. joint business plans
Market and pipeline trends
Growth initiatives and investment priorities
Risks, challenges, and mitigation actions
Drive accountability for actions and outcomes following each review.
Cross-Functional & Matrix Leadership
Operate effectively in a matrix environment, influencing without direct authority across:
Field Sales teams
Product Management
Marketing
Executive leadership
Act as the central point of coordination for supplier-related initiatives across regions, ensuring consistency and alignment.
Sales Enablement & Strategic Deal Support
Serve as a subject matter expert on assigned suppliers, supporting sales leadership on:
Strategic customer opportunities
Major bids or account pursuits
Supplier positioning and differentiation
Engage directly with customers and suppliers where required to unlock complex or high-value opportunities.
Governance, Performance & Communication
Monitor supplier performance, commercial effectiveness, and strategic alignment.
Ensure suppliers understand and leverage the full breadth of RFMW’s capabilities and resources.
Provide clear, structured communication to internal stakeholders on supplier strategy, priorities, and developments.
Travel & Industry Engagement
Travel on a regular basis to:
Meet with supplier leadership and regional teams
Support strategic initiatives
Attend industry trade shows, conferences, and supplier events
Represent RFMW professionally within the supplier and industry community.
Ensure that all sales activities adhere to relevant regulations and reporting requirements.
Additional duties as assigned.