Harman

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

As a Category Management Specialist for Direct Materials, you will own the strategic procurement and category management of key direct material commodities that support global manufacturing. This role requires strong commercial acumen, supplier leadership, and the ability to design and execute global sourcing strategies that deliver competitive cost, quality, innovation, and supply assurance.

You will guide supplier selection, performance management, contract negotiation, and long‑term category strategies across multiple regions. This position is highly collaborative, engaging cross‑functional partners in engineering, operations, quality, and finance.

What You Will Do

Strategic Category Leadership

• Develop, implement, and continuously refine category strategies that support business objectives, product roadmaps, and global manufacturing needs.
• Manage the full lifecycle of assigned direct material categories, including supplier strategy, cost roadmaps, and risk mitigation.
• Conduct market intelligence, benchmarking, and “should‑cost” analysis to drive data‑based recommendations.

Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Lead end‑to‑end sourcing events (RFI/RFQ/RFP) through e‑procurement platforms.
• Select, onboard, and manage suppliers in alignment with quality, cost, and delivery targets.
• Negotiate commercial agreements, supply models, and service-level agreements that optimize total cost of ownership.
• Establish and maintain strong supplier relationships; conduct regular business reviews focused on continuous improvement.

Business Partnership & Operational Excellence

• Collaborate with engineering and operations during new product development and lifecycle management.
• Support material availability through proactive supply assurance, inventory flexibility programs, and escalation management.
• Maintain accurate procurement master data (Purchase Info Records, Source Lists, etc.).

Performance, Compliance & Sustainability

• Track supplier performance and develop action plans to resolve issues or improve KPIs.
• Drive supplier consolidation, tail‑end spend optimization, and identification of new potential suppliers.
• Lead sustainability initiatives to reduce environmental impact within the supply chain.

What You Need to Be Successful

• Bachelor’s degree preferred in business administration, supply chain, economics, or engineering.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in global procurement or category management of direct materials.
• Strong experience with mechanical components, metals, hardware, fasteners, chemicals, or similar industrial commodities.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate at senior levels (managing directors, owners, commercial leadership).
• Strong analytical and presentation skills; experience with BI tools (SAP BI, Qlik, etc.).
• Excellent communication skills in English and Spanish; ability to work in multicultural global teams.
• Ability to remotely manage suppliers across Europe, China, and the Americas.
• Valid visa for travel to the U.S.

Bonus Points if You Have

• Established network within the fastener or industrial component supply base.
• Experience using SAP, iValua, Ariba, or other procurement technologies.
• Prior experience with advanced analytics tools (Qlik Sense, Power BI, etc.).

What Makes You Eligible

• Willingness to travel regionally.
• Willingness to work in a factory environment while doing strategic sourcing work.
• Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a background investigation and drug screen.

What We Offer

• Flexible work environment, allowing for full-time remote work globally for positions that can be performed outside a HARMAN or customer location
• 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.

.

#LI-DP2

.