Category Manager - Mechanical Fabrication

About the role

The Category Manager for Mechanical Fabrication is responsible for setting strategic direction for the defined product technology and supply base. This role will lead a team of Supplier Development Engineers and Continuous Improvement subject matter experts and has Sector level responsibility in deploying strategies toward optimizing supply base cost, quality, and delivery.

Responsibilities

• Conduct thorough research on technical market trends, supply base landscape, and emerging technologies to identify potential opportunities and risks within the assigned category.
• Develop and manage relationships with key suppliers, oversee contract negotiations, delivery performance, and quality standards to ensure optimal value proposition.
• Evaluate and maintain supplier listing based on performance, capability, cost, and customer requirements, working closely with engineering and program teams to ensure specifications are met.
• Analyze spending patterns, identify cost reduction opportunities, and implement strategies to optimize procurement costs within the Mechanical Fabrication category.
• Maintain team structure that ensures in-depth knowledge of technical product features, functionality, and industry standards to effectively evaluate supplier offerings and make informed decisions.
• Create and execute a strategic category plan aligned with overall business objectives, including Supplier Relationship Management, commercial strategy, performance metrics, supply chain resilience, and prioritized key strategic actions.
• Utilize data analytics tools to monitor category performance, identify trends, and make data-driven decisions regarding supplier performance, supplier ratings, resource deployment, and supplier development plans.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams such as engineering, programs, procurement, quality, and operations to ensure alignment on requirements and category strategy.
• Identify and implement innovative solutions to enhance supply base offerings and meet evolving customer needs.

Requirements

• Ability to effectively engage with supplier executive leadership to drive alignment of strategies to support long-term category growth.
• Ability to self-initiate category objectives as business requirements change.
• Ability to influence stakeholder alignment to drive execution of category strategy.
• Technical Leadership: Ability to provide direction and leadership to a technical staff.
• Procurement Expertise: Experience in sourcing strategies, contract negotiation, and supplier management.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to interpret complex data, perform cost-benefit analysis, and generate actionable insights.
• Project Management: Proven ability to manage complex projects involving technical procurement and implementation.
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and present technical, market, and business information to stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Required Education, Experience, & Skills:
  • Ability to effectively engage with supplier executive leadership to drive alignment of strategies to support long-term category growth.
  • Ability to self-initiate category objectives as business requirements change.
  • Ability to influence stakeholder alignment to drive execution of category strategy.
  • Technical Leadership: Ability to provide direction and leadership to a technical staff.
  • Procurement Expertise: Experience in sourcing strategies, contract negotiation, and supplier management.
  • Analytical Skills: Ability to interpret complex data, perform cost-benefit analysis, and generate actionable insights.
  • Project Management: Proven ability to manage complex projects involving technical procurement and implementation.
  • Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and present technical, market, and business information to stakeholders.
• Required Experience: 7+ Years of experience in Mechanical Fabrication manufacturing, supply chain management, and/or quality.

Skills

• Ability to effectively engage with supplier executive leadership to drive alignment of strategies to support long-term category growth.
• Ability to self-initiate category objectives as business requirements change.
• Ability to influence stakeholder alignment to drive execution of category strategy.
• Technical Leadership: Ability to provide direction and leadership to a technical staff.
• Procurement Expertise: Experience in sourcing strategies, contract negotiation, and supplier management.
• Analytical Skills: Ability to interpret complex data, perform cost-benefit analysis, and generate actionable insights.
• Project Management: Proven ability to manage complex projects involving technical procurement and implementation.
• Communication Skills: Excellent communication skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams and present technical, market, and business information to stakeholders.

Pay

Full-Time Salary Range: $134640 - $228888

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision insurance.
• Health savings accounts.
• A 401(k) savings plan.
• Disability coverage.
• Life and accident insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program.
• Legal plan.
• Discounts on home, auto, and pet insurance.
• Recognition program.

About BAE Systems

BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it’s what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts – defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team—making a big impact on a global scale.