Global Category Manager - CAPEX & Post-Processing Equipment

About the role

The Global Category Manager (GCM) – CAPEX & Post-Processing Equipment owns the sourcing strategy, supplier relationships, and commercial execution for VulcanForms' capital equipment spend across the post-processing pillar. This includes heat treatment furnaces, depowdering systems, build plate separation equipment, and all subcontracted post-processing services such as machining, coating, and finishing. Reporting to the VP of Supply Chain, this role partners directly with the Post-Processing Operations pillar lead and the Engineering team to drive equipment delivery, cost performance, and supplier capability development for a rapidly scaling production environment.

Responsibilities

• Own and develop the multi-year category strategy for post-processing capital equipment, including heat treatment, depowdering, HIP, and surface finishing systems.
• Lead sourcing, negotiation, and contracting for post-processing equipment OEMs and subcontract service providers, including pricing, delivery terms, warranty, spares packages, and service agreements.
• Partner with Engineering and Operations on equipment specifications, supplier qualification, factory acceptance testing (FAT), and on-site commissioning milestones.
• Manage the end-to-end procurement lifecycle for all post-processing CAPEX requests — from business case support and budget alignment through PO execution, expediting, and delivery confirmation.
• Build and maintain a qualified supplier panel for subcontracted post-processing services (machining, coating, HIP, EDM, finishing); manage performance against cost, quality, and turnaround KPIs.
• Develop should-cost models and TCO frameworks for CAPEX purchases and subcontract scopes; provide independent cost benchmarking to Engineering and Finance.
• Identify and mitigate supply risk across the post-processing equipment and services supply base; maintain category risk registers and single-source mitigation plans.
• Negotiate initial spares and consumables packages at point of equipment purchase to maximize commercial leverage with OEMs; hand off replenishment execution to the Indirect GCM within agreed frameworks.
• Define and deliver an annual savings and cost-avoidance roadmap for the category; report to VP Supply Chain on pipeline, spend, and delivery metrics.
• Scope, onboard, and develop category specialist support as the post-processing category team grows.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required; degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Materials Science, or Supply Chain preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive procurement or supply chain experience, with at least 5 years managing capital equipment or industrial equipment categories at a senior or leadership level.
• Demonstrated experience sourcing and contracting for complex industrial or manufacturing capital equipment, including OEM negotiations, FAT processes, and multi-site delivery programs.
• Technical fluency in post-processing or precision manufacturing equipment — heat treatment, machining, coating, surface finishing, or comparable capital equipment categories.
• Strong financial acumen including CAPEX budget management, should-cost modeling, and lease vs. buy analysis.
• Proven ability to partner with engineering and operations stakeholders to translate technical requirements into commercial strategies.
• Exceptional negotiation and supplier relationship management skills, including experience managing OEM relationships at senior commercial levels.
• Ability to operate independently and make sound procurement decisions in a fast-moving, technically complex environment.
• Experience in additive manufacturing, aerospace, defense, or medical device manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on familiarity with heat treatment, HIP, EDM, or precision machining processes and their associated supply chains.
• Prior experience managing subcontracted manufacturing services in a regulated environment (AS9100, ISO 13485, NADCAP).
• CPSM, CPM, or equivalent professional certification.
• Experience with ERP systems and CAPEX tracking tools (Epicor, SAP, or similar).
• Exposure to ITAR/DFARS-regulated supply chains and government program procurement requirements.

Qualifications

• Experience with ITAR/DFARS-regulated supply chains and government program procurement requirements.

Skills

• Procurement and supply chain management.
• Capital equipment sourcing and contracting.
• Post-processing equipment knowledge (heat treatment, machining, coating, surface finishing).
• Financial analysis and budget management.
• Supplier relationship management.
• Technical negotiation and problem-solving.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance.
• Moderate paid time off.
• A 401(k) plan with company match.

Pay

The annual base salary range for this position is $111,000.00 to $151,400.00.

Schedule

Supply Chain & Procurement Devens, MA