[Remote] Category Manager - Engineered Productions

Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Arnold Magnetic Technologies is a global leader in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of high-performance permanent magnets and engineered solutions. The Category Manager – Engineered Products will develop and execute sourcing strategies for precision-machined components, partnering with engineering and suppliers to ensure quality and cost-effectiveness in support of manufacturing operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead the Procurement function, including optimization of strategies, suppliers, processes, and personnel, to deliver products and services at lowest total system cost
• Direct the strategic professionalization of the Procurement function and establish process and cadence to deliver exceptional cost savings year-over-year
• Manage vendor relationships and establish KPIs and scorecards to drive improvement
• Establish a reputation for excellence and foster a culture of continuous improvement
• Develop and execute category strategies for engineered products aligned to business objectives, cost targets, and supply continuity
• Identify, prioritize, and execute a pipeline of strategic sourcing initiatives to deliver cost savings, quality improvements, and service enhancements
• Lead sourcing events including RFQs/RFPs, supplier benchmarking, negotiations, and contract execution
• Drive supplier consolidation and rationalization where appropriate to leverage scale and improve performance
• Partner with engineering and operations to challenge specifications and identify value engineering opportunities
• Establish and maintain category roadmaps informed by spend analysis, demand forecasts, and market conditions
• Develop and manage strategic supplier relationships for engineered components, ensuring alignment on cost, quality, delivery, and innovation
• Establish supplier performance KPIs and scorecards; conduct regular business reviews to drive continuous improvement
• Ensure suppliers meet contractual obligations, quality standards, and delivery expectations
• Partner with suppliers to improve manufacturability, reduce lead times, and optimize cost structures
• Lead escalation and resolution of supplier performance issues, including quality and delivery disruptions
• Identify and qualify alternate and dual sources to mitigate supply risk
• Collaborate closely with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to support new product introductions (NPI) and engineering changes
• Interpret technical drawings, specifications, and tolerance to ensure supplier capability alignment
• Engage suppliers early in the design process to drive design-for-manufacturability (DFM) and cost optimization
• Support make vs. buy decisions and sourcing strategies for complex engineered components
• Act as the primary procurement interface for all engineered product categories
• Drive total cost of ownership (TCO) improvements through negotiations, process improvements, and supply base optimization
• Conduct should-cost and benchmarking analyses for machined and engineered components
• Identify and implement cost reduction initiatives including resourcing, process changes, and material substitutions
• Track and report cost savings, cost avoidance, and inflation impacts
• Support budgeting and forecasting activities related to category spend
• Ensure effective execution of sourcing strategies through alignment with buyers, planners, and operations teams
• Support procurement planning activities by aligning supplier capabilities with demand requirements and lead times
• Partner with planning and production teams to manage supply constraints, expedite critical components, and resolve shortages
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies, contracts, and system processes
• Drive continuous improvement in sourcing and procurement process, tools, and data integrity
• Identify and proactively mitigate supply risks related to capacity, single sourcing, geopolitical factors, and material constraints
• Develop and maintain risk mitigation strategies including dual sourcing, safety stock strategies, and supplier development
• Monitor global and regional supply markets for machined components, tooling, and engineered products
• Analyze trends in raw materials, labor, capacity, and technology impacting cost and availability
• Provide insights and recommendations to stakeholders based on market conditions and supplier capabilities
• Stay informed on advancements in manufacturing processes (e.g. machining and fabrication)
• Leverage data analytics to inform sourcing decisions and measure performance of category initiatives

Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Engineering, or related field required
• 8+ years of experience in Procurement roles with track record for progression into roles with greater responsibility
• 3+ years of experience as an industrial manufacturing Sourcing Manager or Commodity Manager with direct responsibility for developing and executing strategy
• Expertise in strategic sourcing, procurement, and vendor management
• Demonstrated ability to build strong supplier relationships to manage performance for quality, delivery, and working capital (including payment terms and inventory value)
• A hands-on, resourceful, entrepreneurial approach and ability to balance strategic leadership with day-to-day execution
• Proven track record for driving cost-out initiatives to deliver significant, year-over-year cost savings for direct materials and across all variety of indirect spend
• Willingness to travel internationally as needed
• Additional experience across planning, inventory management, and logistics is preferred

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