Category Manager - Prototype Suppliers

Your Job

As a Category Manager for prototype suppliers, you will be responsible for developing and executing the strategy for prototype and prototype tooling suppliers supporting the Datacom and Specialty Solutions (DSS) Division. This role has a dedicated focus on prototypes, ensuring Molex has the right suppliers who specialize in and are optimized for prototype work rather than production volumes.

This role ensures the business has a robust, capable, and aligned prototype supply base. By staying current on supplier capabilities, technical roadmaps, and potential production implications, you will help ensure stakeholders are informed, risks are identified early, and transitions from prototype to production are well understood.

Our Team

This role sits within the Datacom and Specialty Solutions (DSS) division and works cross-functionally with New Product Development, Category Management, and internal Proof of Concept teams. You will operate at the intersection of engineering, procurement, and supplier partners, ensuring alignment between technical requirements, commercial objectives, and supplier capabilities.

The team operates in a fast-paced, innovation-driven environment where speed, flexibility, and collaboration are critical. You will play a key role in building and maintaining strong relationships with prototype suppliers, driving clear communication and supplier engagement to support prototype objectives while maintaining visibility to downstream production considerations.

What You Will Do

• Responsible for the strategy development and execution of the prototype and prototype tools spend for the Datacom and Specialty Solutions Division (DSS)
• Develop a world class supply base capable of supporting DSS while driving flexibility, agility and cost competitiveness, in a fast paced, dynamic environment
• Work collaboratively and cross functionally to develop and maintain a preferred supplier list (PSL). Manage supplier evaluation, segmentation, and performance while ensuring supplier technical roadmaps are aligned with Molex Product needs
• Collaborate across the division to ensure the supply base aligns with the technical requirements and commercial objectives to support the overall business needs
• Sustain and strengthen communications and collaboration with key supplier contacts.
• Support Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Quote (RFQ) processes to optimize prototype pricing, transparency and delivery timing
• Interface with internal Proof of Concept team to optimize supplier support of their prototype objectives
• Effectively communicate inside and outside the company
• Drive Supplier Relationship Management with prototype suppliers

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor's degree in business, supply chain, engineering or similar
• Experience in a combination of procurement focused on mechanical (diecast, stampings, molding etc) and /or PCBA
• Experience in pricing and contract negotiation
• Possess knowledge of manufacturing processes
• Understanding of product development process

What Will Put You Ahead

• 5+ years of experience in a combination of procurement
• Master's Degree
• Knowledge of advanced prototyping manufacturing and technology
• Experience in datacenter connector industry

Skills & Abilities:

• Strong organizational and program management skills
• Strategy development and implementation
• Advanced negotiation skills
• Persuasive communicator
• Ability to read and understand technical specifications
• Strong communication, analytical, and presentation skills, both verbal & written
• Self-Motivated and able to work autonomously

Travel:

• Up to 30%

For this role, we anticipate paying $100,000 - $130,000 per year. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.

At Koch companies, we are entrepreneurs. This means we openly challenge the status quo, find new ways to create value and get rewarded for our individual contributions. Any compensation range provided for a role is an estimate determined by available market data. The actual amount may be higher or lower than the range provided considering each candidate's knowledge, skills, abilities, and geographic location. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.

Hiring Philosophy

All Koch companies value diversity of thought, perspectives, aptitudes, experiences, and backgrounds. We are Military Ready and Second Chance employers. Learn more about our hiring philosophy here.

Who We Are

As a Koch company, Molex is a leading supplier of connectors and interconnect components, driving innovation in electronics and supporting industries from automotive to health care and consumer to data communications. The thousands of innovators who work for Molex have made us a global electronics leader. Our experienced people, groundbreaking products and leading-edge technologies help us deliver a wider array of solutions to more markets than ever before.

At Koch, employees are empowered to do what they do best to make life better. Learn how our business philosophy helps employees unleash their potential while creating value for themselves and the company.

Our Benefits

Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.

Additionally, everyone has individual work and personal needs. We seek to enable the best work environment that helps you and the business work together to produce superior results.

Equal Opportunities

Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. Except where prohibited by state law, some offers of employment are conditioned upon successfully passing a drug test. This employer uses E-Verify. Please click here for additional information. (For Illinois E-Verify information click here, aqui, or tu).