Harman

About the Role
The Category Manager will develop, drive and own the global category sourcing strategy and savings objectives specifically for semiconductor components. The successful candidate will manage all activities relating to global supply base including contracts, commercial/ pricing, supply assurance, innovation, cost reduction initiatives, and conflict resolution. The successful candidate will implement category strategies through alignment with HARMAN business units, engineering, quality, and manufacturing activities. Requires knowledge of the business unit's technology and product roadmaps and specific expertise in the procurement of semiconductor components and associated manufacturing cost structure.

What You Will Do

• Develop and drive and own the global category strategy that align with business objectives and support growth and profitability.
• Build and own appropriate supplier relationships with category supply base and present a single unified HARMAN International interface to the supply base.
• Works with Best Cost Analytics & HW & Component Engineering on technology roadmap plans and ensure long-term competitive cost of components.
• Manage effective supplier negotiations and event driven cost reductions to meet annual cost reduction goals and Should Cost targets.
• Conduct consistent commercial terms/ conditions including a long-term capacity outlook commitment from the suppliers.
• Drive supply base optimization and new supplier development to maximize category leverage.
• Lead the source board preparation and create sourcing proposal for management decision.
• Oversee the execution of RFx efforts into the supply base, prepare the response evaluation and proposal for sourcing decisions.
• Coordinate the supplier performance management, including quarterly business reviews and escalation support.

What You Need

• Bachelor’s Degree in business or technical related field
• Minimum 5 years of procurement experience.
• Prior experience in semiconductors including commodity sourcing and negotiating direct materials 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.
• An effective team player committed to organizational goals; fostering collaboration among team members
• What is Nice to Have
• Experience in an automotive environment

What Makes You Eligible

• Be willing to travel up to 30%, domestic and international travel

What We Offer

• HARMAN offers a diverse and inclusive work environment that fosters and encourages career development opportunities, professional training and competitive market base compensation
• You will also receive top-notch employee discounts on Harman’s Consumer Audio (JBL, AKG, HARMAN Kardon) and Samsung products
• Flexible work schedule with a culture encouraging work life integration and collaboration in a global friendly working atmosphere and good work-life-balance
• Attractive salary package based on the Metall & Elektro Tarif Baden Wurttemberg and an Employer contribution towards a company pension plan
• Professional development opportunities through HARMAN University’s business and leadership academies which also includes extensive technical trainings
• Internal talent management leadership acceleration programs
• “Be Brilliant” employee recognition and rewards program

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