About the Role:

The Category Manager will manage and execute the category sourcing strategy and savings objectives specifically for Automotive Memory. The successful candidate will manage all activities relating to global supply base including contracts, commercial/pricing, supply assurance, innovation, VA/VE cost reduction initiatives, and conflict resolution. The successful candidate will implement category strategies through alignment with HARMAN business units, engineering, quality, and manufacturing activities. This position requires knowledge of the business unit's technology and product roadmaps and specific expertise in the procurement of semiconductors and associated manufacturing cost structure.

What you will do:

• Responsible to manage and make critical decisions on all aspects of supplier relationships including contracts, commercial/pricing, supply assurance, and conflict resolution.
• Develop and execute sub-category strategies for semiconductors technologies supporting the business across all the divisions.
• This role requires extensive interfacing with engineering, quality and supplier; it requires knowledge of the business units’ technology and product roadmaps.
• The role requires a sophisticated level of relationship management interfacing with global suppliers, requiring balancing of interests to maintain mutually beneficial relationships.
• This person will be an escalation/communication point for Harman International and the supply partner.
• Responsible to drive the technology roadmap engagement with strategic suppliers and Engineering to deliver these technologies in Harman products to meet the time-to-market and cost objectives of the business.
• Establish consistent commercial terms/conditions and present a single unified Harman International interface to the supply base
• Establish strong supplier relationships, effectively manage category supply base, perform advanced and intricate negotiations, and use event-driven cost reductions to meet annual cost reduction goals
• Drive supplier rationalization strategy to maximize category leverage
• Manage the RFQ/ quote process
• Work with supply base to establish robust quality operating systems to support “zero defect culture
• Serve as a point of contact for BU sourcing issues and opportunities related to category management
• Establish goals, improvement plans, business reviews, and monthly reporting related to areas of responsibility
• Actively monitor vendor and internal performance against contracts, industry benchmarks, and previous baselines on a quarterly basis. Develop and submit reports for senior management.
• Identify and evaluate market changes and new technologies - make appropriate fact-based recommendations for adoption by HARMAN stakeholders.
• Track and report on performance metrics

What you need:

• Bachelor’s Degree in business or technical related field
• Minimum 5 years of procurement experience.
• Prior experience in semiconductors technologies including commodity sourcing and negotiating direct materials within an automotive electronics environment using strategic category management techniques to achieve results.
• Proven ability to lead and achieve cost, quality, and time-to-market commitments
• Strong negotiation and relationship-building skills
• Success in collaborating with key work partners and able to maintain relationships at the working level
• Strong presentation and writing skills
• Ability to gather relevant information systematically; consider a broad range of issues or factors; grasp complexities and perceive the relationship among problems or issues; seek input from others
• An effective team player committed to organizational goals; fostering collaboration among team members
• Establish challenging performance standards; create enthusiasm, a feeling of investment, and a desire to excel
• Ability to speak clearly and express self well in groups and in one-to-one conversations
• Demonstrate resourcefulness to effectively leverage and focus resources across organizational/geographic boundaries
• Fluent in English both oral and written.

What Makes You Eligible:

• Willingness to travel 10-20%
• Be willing to work in an office in Novi, MI (Hybrid)
• Successfully complete a background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment

What We Offer:

• Access to employee discounts on world-class HARMAN/Samsung products (JBL, Harman Kardon, AKG etc.)
• An inclusive and diverse work environment that fosters and encourages career development opportunities
• Flexible work schedule with a culture encouraging work-life integration and collaboration in a global environment
• Professional development opportunities through HARMAN University’s business and leadership academies
• Internal talent management leadership acceleration programs
• Tuition Reimbursement
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program

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HARMAN is an Equal Opportunity /Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or Protected Veterans status. HARMAN offers a great work environment, challenging career opportunities, professional training and competitive compensation. (www.harman.com)