Global 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 position will manage and execute category sourcing strategies and savings objectives. The successful candidate will manage all activities relating to global supply base including contracts, commercial/pricing, supply assurance, innovation and conflict resolution. The successful candidate will oversee and implement category strategies through alignment with HARMAN business units, engineering, quality and manufacturing activities. Requires knowledge of the business units technology and product roadmaps and specific expertise in the procurement of mechanical, electrical parts and manufacturing cost structure.

What You Will Do

• Oversee, conduct, and actively manage the end-to-end strategic sourcing and procurement process of the assigned categories, globally
• Provide thought leadership and innovative strategies for optimizing sourcing effectiveness; identify and mitigate potential supply chain risks
• Work as the interface of Pro division with global sourcing on procedures, processes and strategy definition/implementation as well as tools implementation. Including creation and maintenance of Purchase Info Records, Master Data and ERP files that drive the business
• Develop and execute category sourcing strategies in alignment with product roadmaps and cross functional stakeholders at HARMAN that fosters the highest level of commitment to continuous improvement in product quality, (total) cost, and delivery
• Organize and lead regular QBR with strategic suppliers to track, report and drive continuous improvement on vendor performance metrics
• Coordinate and work with both corporate and regional stakeholders to standardize corporate-wide product specifications and establish and implement long-term strategic goals to continually enhance HARMAN’s market position
• Lead corporate-wide teams to establish specifications, processes, policies, and procedures to manage demand for assigned categories
• Lead initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of the supply chain, including waste reduction, energy efficiency, and sustainable material sourcing
• Establish strong vendor relationships, effectively manage category supply base, perform advanced and intricate negotiations, RFx to realize annual savings, and oversee selection of key vendors, in line with category strategies
• Ensure expedient and compliant implementation of new contracts throughout organization
• 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
• Ensure all sourcing activities comply with local, national, and international regulations and standards, conduct regular audits and assessments to verify supplier compliance with legal and ethical requirements

What You Need to Be Successful

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum 8+ years of procurement experience
• Outstanding communication and presentation abilities in English
• Prior experience in sourcing and negotiating direct materials (focusing on metal components sourced out of NA region) in a consumer electronics or professional products environment using strategic category management techniques to achieve results
• Must possess the social intelligence to influence and lead at the most senior levels within the organization
• Strong skills with: Supplier management, negotiation, contract development/analysis, supplier evaluation, price/cost analysis, TCO

Bonus Points if You Have

• Prior experience in sourcing raw materials, tooling and sourcing complex services, e-mech component and/or raw PCB
• Master’s degree in business administration
• 5+ years of working experience with OEM, JDM or ODM on complex products or subassembly from new Product Development through End of Life
• Experience in the professional lighting industry is a plus
• Experience in successfully using benchmarking and cost analysis tools to deliver negotiation outcomes to exceed the market index
• Thorough program/project management skills
• Good temperament and ability to work with suppliers and customers from different cultures
• Solid understanding of risk management techniques
• Excellent market research and trend analysis skills
• Strong strategic/long-range planning skills

What Makes You Eligible

• You are willing to travel, if necessary, up to 25%
• Eligible to work in the US
• Hybrid Role
• Successfully complete background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment.

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 products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, and more)
• 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