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?

Supplier Technical Engineer – Supplier Quality & Process Improvement (On-site, San Diego)

⚙️ Supplier Technical Engineer

📍 Location: San Diego, CA (On-site)
💼 Employment Type: Full-Time
🏭 Industry: Energy
📦 Function: Supply Chain / Supplier Quality
🛂 Visa Sponsorship: Not available
🎯 Level: Associate (2–5 years’ experience)

🌟 About the Role

We are seeking a Supplier Technical Engineer to support supplier quality, process reliability, and continuous improvement across a global supply chain. This role plays a critical part in ensuring supplier performance meets high technical and quality standards while partnering closely with internal stakeholders and external suppliers to resolve issues and drive long-term improvements.

If you enjoy working at the intersection of engineering, quality, and supplier collaboration, this is a strong opportunity to build impact early in your career.

🔧 Key Responsibilities

• Support resolution of supplier-related quality issues and process gaps

• Provide conclusions and recommendations for quality improvements

• Partner with suppliers on continuous improvement initiatives

• Implement and monitor supplier process controls, evaluations, audits, and corrective actions

• Support supplier qualification for new products and components

• Identify root causes of quality problems and develop short- and long-term action plans

• Maintain documentation related to inspections, evaluations, and quality records

🧠 Core Competencies You’ll Use Daily

Quality & Continuous Improvement

• Apply quality management tools and techniques

• Use inspections, walkthroughs, and evaluation tools

• Track quality indicators and support improvement efforts

Problem Solving

• Identify and document issues and solution options

• Use data and diagnostics to assess root cause

• Balance risk, cost, and impact when recommending solutions

Collaboration & Communication

• Work cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, and supply chain

• Communicate clearly with suppliers and internal teams

• Contribute to collaborative problem-solving sessions

Attention to Detail

• Ensure accuracy in documentation and reporting

• Use checklists and verification methods to avoid errors

• Learn from past issues to improve future outcomes

Time & Priority Management

• Manage multiple tasks and priorities simultaneously

• Respond to operational needs while progressing project work

🎓 Background & Experience

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, or related field

• 2–5 years of experience in supplier quality, manufacturing, or technical supply chain roles

Preferred

• Experience in Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE)

• Familiarity with investment casting and airfoil components (e.g., blades, nozzles)

• Exposure to manufacturing environments or technical suppliers

💰 Compensation & Benefits

• Salary Range: $89,210 – $133,810

• Benefits: Full benefits package

• Bonus: Not eligible

• Relocation: Not available

• Travel: None required

Principal, Supply Chain Program Management | Aerospace & Defense | Fort Wayne, IN | $130K–$150K

Job Title: Principal, Supply Chain Program Management
Location: Fort Wayne, IN (Onsite)
Industry: Aerospace / Aviation / Defense
Category: Supply Chain / Materials Management
Seniority Level: Director
Employment Type: Full-Time
Remote/Onsite: Onsite (office space provided)
Travel Required: Periodic (mainly domestic)
Visa Candidates Considered: No
Security Clearance Required: No (Secret preferred)
Relocation Assistance: Yes
Compensation:

• Base Salary: $130,000 – $150,000

• Bonus Eligible: No

• Commission Compensation: No

• Overtime Eligible: No

• Interview Travel Reimbursed: No

• Benefits: Full benefits package included

Role Summary:

A leadership opportunity to join a leading aerospace and defense organization as a Principal Supply Chain Program Manager within the Space Systems division. This role focuses on the capture and execution of advanced space programs, emphasizing innovative satellite and mission solutions. The successful candidate will manage program execution across supply chain, engineering, and operations to ensure strategic sourcing, supplier performance, and alignment with business objectives.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead program supply chain execution across cross-functional teams (Engineering, Program Management, Operations).

• Develop and implement supply chain strategies aligned with commodity goals and cost optimization.

• Oversee supplier relationships, performance, and technical deliverables to meet program milestones.

• Analyze supplier capacity/capability, mitigate risks, and ensure material flow for inventory optimization.

• Support DFx practices (design for manufacturability, assembly, test, etc.).

• Drive supply chain process improvements and metric tracking tailored to space programs.

• Serve as a key interface with internal stakeholders and external suppliers, contributing to both tactical delivery and strategic growth.

Qualifications:

• Education:

• Bachelor’s degree required (Master’s preferred).

• In lieu of degree, 16+ years of relevant experience considered.

• Experience:

• Minimum 10–12 years in supply chain, procurement, or program management roles.

• Expertise in managing supplier relationships and leading high-stakes space/aerospace programs.

• Skills:

• Deep experience in FFP, FPIF, T&M, Labor Hour, and Cost Reimbursement contract types.

• Budget and forecasting experience as a Cost Account Manager.

• Strong communication and technical documentation skills.

• Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, PowerPoint, Word).

• Preferred:

• Secret clearance or eligibility.

• Background in ISR space programs or defense contracting.

• Familiarity with risk management tools and long-lead supply chain planning.

Why Join Us?

• Be a part of a forward-thinking team shaping the future of responsive space technologies.

• Join a culture grounded in inclusion, ethical standards, and mission-driven innovation.

• Benefit from a comprehensive package including health, retirement, and professional development support.

• Work in a high-impact, technically advanced environment with opportunities for growth and collaboration.