Category Manager – Direct Materials | Strategic Sourcing, SAP, Manufacturing | Denver, CO (Hybrid)

Category Manager – Direct Materials

📍 Location: Denver, Colorado (Hybrid – 3 days onsite / 2 days remote)
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time
🎓 Education: Bachelor’s Degree required
📈 Experience Level: Mid-Senior
🕒 Experience Required: 5–7+ years
✈️ Travel: Occasional
🌎 Visa Sponsorship: Not available
🚚 Relocation Assistance: Not available

Role Overview

We are seeking a Category Manager – Direct Materials to lead strategic sourcing initiatives across a multi-site manufacturing environment.

This role is responsible for optimising cost, quality, and supply continuity, while driving supplier performance and supporting innovation through strong cross-functional collaboration with R&D, Product, and Operations teams.

Key Responsibilities

Strategic Sourcing & Cost Optimisation

• Develop and execute data-driven category strategies for direct/raw materials

• Build and maintain should-cost models to support negotiations and pricing decisions

• Deliver year-over-year cost savings through:

• Strategic negotiations

• Competitive sourcing events

• Supplier rationalisation

• Value engineering initiatives

• Track and report performance using KPIs, scorecards, and executive updates

Supplier & Contract Management

• Manage supplier relationships to ensure:

• Quality performance

• Cost competitiveness

• Supply reliability

• Lead supplier development initiatives to improve capability and alignment

• Own contract lifecycle management, including compliance and renewals

• Manage $20M+ spend categories

Project & Cross-Functional Leadership

• Lead cross-functional teams across:

• R&D

• Product Management

• Operations

• Finance

• Quality

• Support:

• New supplier qualification

• New product introductions (NPI)

• Material evaluation and innovation initiatives

• Act as the primary commercial interface across multiple facilities

Risk Management & Supply Continuity

• Proactively identify and mitigate supply chain risks

• Develop and implement contingency plans

• Lead root cause analysis and corrective actions for supply disruptions

• Ensure uninterrupted supply of critical materials

Process Improvement

• Identify and implement process improvements to increase efficiency

• Streamline sourcing and supply chain operations

• Drive adoption of best practices across the organisation

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required

• 5+ years of experience in supply chain or sourcing, including:

• At least 3 years sourcing within a large/complex organisation

• Proven experience sourcing direct/raw materials in manufacturing environments

• Experience managing $20M+ spend categories

• Strong contract negotiation and supplier management experience

Technical Skills

• Expertise in should-cost modelling and cost analysis

• Strong understanding of commodity/category management principles

• Experience with e-sourcing tools

• Proficiency with:

• SAP or similar ERP systems

• Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Outlook

Preferred Qualifications

• CPSM (Certified Professional in Supply Management) certification

• Experience supporting new product development or R&D initiatives

• Background in multi-site manufacturing environments

Key Competencies

• Strong analytical and strategic thinking skills

• Excellent communication and stakeholder management abilities

• Proven ability to lead cross-functional teams

• Proactive, collaborative mindset with focus on continuous improvement

• Ability to present insights to senior and non-technical stakeholders

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate will:

• Have direct experience sourcing raw/direct materials within manufacturing

• Be comfortable managing large spend categories and complex supplier networks

• Demonstrate strong commercial acumen and negotiation capability

• Thrive in a cross-functional, fast-paced environment

• Have a track record of delivering cost savings and supplier performance improvements

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package

• Health and wellbeing coverage

• Paid time off

• Additional employee benefits

Screening Question

• Do you have experience sourcing raw or direct materials for manufacturing plants?

Sr. Supplier Technical Engineer – Manufacturing | San Diego, CA | $108K–$163K

Job Title: Sr. Supplier Technical Engineer

Location: San Diego, California, United States
Industry: Manufacturing & Production
Category: Supply Chain / Materials Management
Employment Type: Full-time
Clearance Required: No
Visa Sponsorship: Not available
Relocation Assistance: Not available
Interview Travel Reimbursed: No
Schedule: Standard full-time hours

Compensation:

• Base Salary: $108,834 – $163,252

• Bonus Eligible: No

• Commission: No

• Overtime Eligible: No

• Benefits: Full benefits package available

Overview:

We are seeking an experienced Sr. Supplier Technical Engineer (STE) to support the Investment Castings Supply Chain team at our San Diego facility. The ideal candidate will be technically accountable for assigned purchased parts across the entire product lifecycle—from concept to production—and play a key role in supplier quality performance, engineering collaboration, and technical problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities:

• Serve as the technical owner of assigned purchased parts, overseeing quality from New Product Introduction (NPI) through product lifecycle.

• Address and resolve complex supplier technical issues with innovative solutions.

• Communicate detailed technical requirements to suppliers, review designs/drawings, and support configuration management.

• Monitor supplier performance metrics and trends; work with sourcing teams to drive improvements using root cause analysis and corrective/preventative actions.

• Participate in supplier selection and qualification processes; act as technical SME for casting, brazing, and machining suppliers.

• Coordinate with internal engineering teams on Concurrent Product and Process Development (CPPD) and Continuous Process Improvement (CPI).

• Lead FMEA discussions, manage PPAP and FAPITP development in coordination with Design Engineering.

• Disposition Reject Notices (RNs) and handle Request for Technical Authorization (RTAs) with cross-functional input.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in a technical field with 3–5+ years of relevant experience, OR

• 10+ years of manufacturing experience in lieu of a degree

• Strong knowledge of engineering practices and process planning (e.g., drawings interpretation, tooling, NDT, functional testing)

Preferred Qualifications:

• High level of ethics and professionalism

• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills using tools such as 6 Sigma, Root Cause Analysis, and Corrective Actions

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills for internal and supplier engagement

• Familiarity with:

• Lean Manufacturing principles

• Six Sigma methodology (training provided if not yet certified)

• DOE (Design of Experiments) and project management tools

• Investment Castings, Sand Castings, and Machining Processes

• Solar manufacturing techniques (e.g., turning, milling, shop operations)

• Quality management systems and principles

Travel:

• Occasional travel may be required to supplier sites

This role is a great fit for a technically adept engineer with a passion for supplier collaboration, process improvement, and driving product excellence in a highly regulated manufacturing environment.

Program Manager - Electronics Manufacturing | Phoenix, AZ | $81,000 - $100,000/year

Job Title: Program Manager

Location: Phoenix, AZ (On-site)
Experience Level: Associate
Experience Required: 3+ Years
Education Level: Bachelor’s Degree
Industry: Electrical/Electronic Manufacturing
Compensation: $81,000 - $100,000 per year
Relocation Assistance: No
Visa Sponsorship: No

Job Description

The Program Manager is responsible for executing customer strategies across multiple programs or products, from new product introduction (NPI) to volume production. The role involves ensuring customer satisfaction, fostering profitable relationships, driving sales growth, and leading customer focus teams to meet or exceed commitments.

This position requires a background in Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) or Contract Manufacturing (CM), with a strong understanding of the production lifecycle, customer relationships, and business operations.

Key Responsibilities

Customer Management

• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers.

• Maintain and strengthen customer relationships.

• Resolve customer issues and ensure high satisfaction levels.

• Monitor customer product knowledge, market trends, and competition.

Project Leadership

• Lead customer focus teams (CFT), prioritizing and monitoring activities.

• Execute NPI processes, including pricing, ECO prioritization, and resource allocation.

• Oversee demand management, forecasting, and delivery schedules.

Financial & Contract Management

• Manage recurring pricing activities and cost reduction obligations.

• Ensure adherence to contractual terms, including flexibility allowances, warranty terms, and inventory recovery.

• Monitor and drive financial performance, including gross margin and cost variance alignment.

Operational Excellence

• Ensure the achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs), including on-time delivery and quality metrics.

• Conduct monthly program reviews and manage business reviews (EBR/QBR).

• Identify and implement process improvements to reduce costs and enhance efficiency.

Continuous Improvement & Problem-Solving

• Utilize tools like root cause analysis, 8D, and 5 Why’s for problem-solving.

• Promote lean practices and DFx methodologies (Design for Manufacturing/Test/BOM).

Qualifications

Must-Have Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or Business.

• Experience in EMS or CM environments.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and conferencing tools.

• Proven ability to manage global business operations.

• Strong customer service, communication, and leadership skills.

Additional Skills

• Solid financial understanding and risk analysis capabilities.

• Proficiency in continuous improvement tools and methodologies.

• Experience with supply chain strategy and inventory management.

• Effective negotiation, problem-solving, and organizational skills.

• Enthusiastic communicator with multi-cultural experience.

Key Metrics & Tools

• Operational KPIs: On-time delivery, inventory turns, DPPM/DPU/DPMO, COPQ.

• Tools: Root Cause Analysis, Risk/Liability Tool, ECO processes, S&OP.

Travel Requirements

• Up to 25% travel, including international trips.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to lead key programs, strengthen client relationships, and drive results within a dynamic electronics manufacturing environment.