Category Manager

PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES (INCLUDE BUT NOT LIMITED TO): Collaborate with Senior Leaders/Management to ensure Strategic Purchasing Strategies and Activities in Mechanical, Optical, Electronics, and Contract Manufacturing areas.Lead the strategic procurement work in close alignment with the Global Lead Buyers and provide day-to-day leadership for the Jenoptik Optical System Inc. Purchasing Team.Support the Head of Procurement, North America to guide, prioritize, and allocate work in order to facilitate continuous improvements and effectiveness within the Procurement Team.Covering, optimizing, and driving the key processes Plan-to-Strategy, Source-to-contract, and Purchase-to-Pay in close alignment with the Global Procurement OrganizationDefine and implement supplier cost reduction activities for defined savings targets.Lead of cross-functional material group teams especially with Engineering, Product Management, Quality, and sourcing initiatives locally, implementing early involvement of Procurement into the New Product DevelopmentDefine material group sourcing strategies locally, manage the supplier portfolio, and leverage the potential of the global supplier marketComprehensive supplier management skills, driving supplier performance, and conduct supplier development activitiesLeading supplier negotiation with key suppliersMember of the Global Procurement function and contributor to the global material group activitiesRisk Management, Compliance, and Sustainability ManagementCollaborate with all levels of the company and ensure effective communication and partnership.Implementation of global digital approaches into the supplier baseEnsure Procurement is meeting and exceeding goals and objectives.Supplier capacity planning for direct materials in conjunction with forecast(s) and planning to ensure timely and sufficient supply of materials to support production.Foster a culture of engagement and cross-functional excitement.Lead supplier quality and support the Quality Department on all issues relating to supplier product quality, and ensure system is in place to charge costs back to the supplier.Support Sales quoting efforts for new and existing product (RFQ’s).Support other Jenoptik sites in North America & Germany as required as a key member of the global Purchasing organizationREQUIREMENTS:Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field.5-7 years of purchasing experience in a high-technology manufacturing environmentOptics & precision metal, and electronics background is required.Experienced in supporting SAP Purchasing functionsLean Manufacturing experience with ISM credentials preferredExcellent communication skills, both written and verbalMust possess “soft skills”: conflict resolution, personal effectiveness, creative problem solving, strategic thinking, team building, and influencing skillsAptitude for establishing and maintaining effective working relationships with those contacted in the course of work. Must be a “Team Player”Strong Negotiator following the “Lowest Total Cost” modelProficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook, etc.)Some travel required as needed to support the businessUS Citizenship or Qualified U.S. Worker, in compliance with federal law, all persons hired will be required to verify identity and eligibility to work in the United States and to complete the required employment eligibility verification form upon hire.PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:The physical requirements described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally required to stand; walk; sit; use of hands or fingers to handle, or feel objects, tools or controls and keyboarding; reach with hands and arms; climb stairs; balance; stoop, kneel, crouch or crawl; talk and hear.The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by the job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus.