Senior Category Manager

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Lifestyle

We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that’s putting the innovative power of technology to work and transforming tomorrow. As a member of HARMAN Lifestyle, you connect consumers with the power of superior sound.

• Contribute your talents to high-end, esteemed brands like JBL, Mark Levinson and Revel
• Unite your passion for audio innovation with high-tech product development
• Create pitch-perfect, cutting-edge technology that elevates the listening experience

About the Role

The key responsibility of this role is to lead and advise strategic category management of assigned direct material categories (components for manufacturing) and suppliers. The role involves creating procurement category strategies and leading highly complex global transformational initiatives in the category. Activities include supplier development and engagement strategies, designing viable procurement strategies for high risk / high complexity product groups (e.g. life safety critical metal parts, brand image relevant technical plastics), end-to-end procurement project lead responsibilities of transformational projects (e.g. product / manufacturing relocation projects). This role supports global manufacturing and has internal stakeholders and external business partners in multiple countries and regions globally. Internal and external counterparts are Directors and above (manufacturing, SIOP, R&D, PMO, supplier sales). This is an individual contributor with no direct reporting organization.

What You Will Do :

• Develop procurement strategies of assigned direct material categories. Advise mechanical category procurement group on strategy development.
• Lead supplier management for assigned category: new supplier identification, supplier capability and risk assessment, approved supplier list optimization
• Design viable procurement strategies for high risk / high complexity product groups (e.g. life safety critical metal parts, brand image relevant technical plastics / front panels)
• Lead supply chain risk management: in alignment with Legal & Compliance, apply strategies, tools and standards for risk management in Procurement; create and implement related business processes and monitor execution
• Perform end-to-end procurement project lead responsibilities of transformational projects (e.g. product / manufacturing relocation projects).
• Align procurement strategies with other divisions and business units, ensure One Harman approach in SRM, sourcing and crisis management
• Lead continuous improvement and process Quality initiatives in mechanical procurement: e.g. in contracting, supply and capacity agreements, material transparency and compliance areas
• Lead mechanical Procurement sustainability initiatives and projects as it relates to material use, recycled materials opportunities, or supplier sustainability assessments

What You Need to Be Successful :

• Bachelor’s degree with a preference for business administration or economics
• Successful leadership experience in global procurement organizations.
• 10+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, cost analysis and supply chain optimization of mechanical parts and subassemblies for non-automotive industrial use.
• Seniority and independence to negotiate with managing directors / owners / sales managers as peers
• Have a comprehensive understanding of the procurement process, data universe and toolset
• Excellent analytics and presentation skills. Experience in use of data visualization tools like SAP BI or Qlik.
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, verbal and written communication skills required in English, with experience in intercultural functional leadership.

Bonus Points if You Have :

• Experience in audio technology or lighting industry supply chain; high mix & low volume industries.
• Experience in mechanical manufacturing processes (molding, die casting, CNC, machining) and electromechinal assembly processes.
• Knowledge of modern procurement tools such as SAP, iValua, Ariba.
• Previous experience with analytics tools like BI, Qlik Sense
• Second language skills in Chinese/Spanish/Hungarian/Danish

What Makes You Eligible :

• Willingness to travel internationally.
• Willingness and flexibility to work across regions and time zones.
• Willingness to work in an office.
• Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen.

What We Offer :

• Flexible work environment
• Access to employee discounts on world-class Harman and Samsung products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, etc.)
• Extensive training opportunities through our own HARMAN University
• Competitive wellness benefits
• Tuition reimbursement
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages professional and personal development

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