Sr. Category Manager - Precision Mechanical Components

About the role

The Senior Category Manager provides strategic leadership across the following precision mechanical component categories – High Precision Machining, Bearings, Motors / Motor accessories and Carbon Fiber. The role shapes long-term sourcing direction, supplier portfolio governance, enterprise risk mitigation, and sourcing transformation initiatives aligned with corporate growth and compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Defines and executes global, long-term category and supplier portfolio strategies aligned with corporate growth plans and technology evolution.
• Develops comprehensive portfolio strategies that shape the organization's supplier base architecture across multiple categories, geographies, and technology platforms.
• Led executive-level supplier performance reviews and Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) that influence strategic supplier relationships.
• Conducts high-level supplier governance sessions with executive participation, reviewing strategic alignment, performance against enterprise objectives, and long-term relationship trajectory.
• Negotiates supplier agreements ranging from single transaction to complex, high-value commercial agreements involving multi-year commitments, global capacity planning, and strategic collaboration.
• Structures sophisticated commercial arrangements that include volume commitments, pricing mechanisms, capacity reservations, technology partnerships, and risk-sharing frameworks.
• Influences make/buy decisions and supplier architecture strategy in partnership with engineering and operations leadership.
• Provides expert input on supply chain implications, supplier capability landscapes, cost structures, and risk considerations for strategic product and manufacturing decisions.
• Designs and executes enterprise-wide initiatives that reduce concentration risk across suppliers, geographies, or technologies affecting multiple categories.
• Establishes standardized supplier governance frameworks, including scorecards, QBR structures, and compliance verification protocols.
• Drives sourcing process transformation and participates in digital enablement initiatives.
• Participates in organization-wide initiatives to modernize sourcing processes, implement advanced analytics capabilities, deploy digital procurement technologies, or restructure sourcing operating models.
• Develops structured contingency and risk mitigation plans for high-impact supplier dependencies.
• Creates comprehensive business continuity plans for critical supplier relationships that could significantly impact business operations if disrupted.
• Ensures comprehensive compliance governance aligned with FAR, DFARS, ITAR/EAR, and other applicable regulations.
• Leads enterprise-wide process improvement and optimization initiatives that enhance sourcing efficiency, reduce costs, and strengthen compliance controls.
• Serves as a strategic advisor to executive leadership on sourcing risk, cost roadmaps, and supplier innovation opportunities.
• Works hand in hand with engineering to create design requirements and then align product design requirements with suppliers’ capabilities – including capacity, financial stability and technical roadmap of suppliers.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or related discipline; 10+ years of progressive sourcing or category management experience, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Demonstrated negotiation experience managing high-value agreements.
• Experience managing multiple complex or global category portfolios.
• Advanced financial modeling and cost strategy capability (preferred).
• Deep understanding of government contracting regulations and compliance frameworks.
• Hands on experience with FAR/DFAR compliance and enforcement.
• Strong executive communication and presentation capability.
• Proficiency in ERP systems and advanced analytics tools.
• Demonstrated ability to build strong partnership with engineering teams.

Qualifications

• Preference will be given to candidates with an existing U.S. DoD Personnel Security Clearance.

Skills

• Strategic thinking and execution.
• Supplier management and negotiation skills.
• Financial analysis and cost strategy.
• Government contracting regulations and compliance.
• ERP systems and advanced analytics tools.
• Executive-level communication and presentation.
• Engineering and operations leadership.
• Supplier and technical expertise in High Precision Machining, Bearings, Motors/Motor accessories, and Carbon Fiber.

Benefits

• 4 weeks of Paid Time Off per year
• 11 paid Holidays
• Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• Tuition Assistance Program
• Health (ACA Gold Plan), Vision and Dental Care paid by employer
• 100% for Employee and 75% for Dependents
• Paid Family Leave, Short and Long Term Disability paid by employer
• 100%
• Competitive 401k with company match and immediate vesting

Pay

$100,000-$150,000 based on experience

Schedule

Onsite position in Longmont, CO