Specialist, Direct Material Procurement (Category Manager)

A Career at HARMAN

As a technology leader that is rapidly on the move HARMAN is filled with people who are focused on making life better. Innovation inclusivity and teamwork are a part of our DNA. When you add that to the challenges we take on and solve together youll discover that at HARMAN you can grow make a difference and be proud of the work you do every day.

A Career at HARMAN Lifestyle

Were a global multi-disciplinary team thats 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 longterm category strategies across multiple regions. This position is highly collaborative engaging crossfunctional 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 shouldcost analysis to drive databased recommendations.

Sourcing & Supplier Management

• Lead endtoend sourcing events (RFI/RFQ/RFP) through eprocurement 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 tailend 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

• Bachelors 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.

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HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity / Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard torace religion color national origin gender (including pregnancy childbirth or related medical conditions) sexual orientation gender identity gender expression age status as a protected veteran status as an individual with a disability or other applicable legally protected characteristics.