Global Category Manager

Description & Requirements

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Lifestyle

We're a global, multi-disciplinary team that's 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

The position will manage and execute category sourcing strategies and savings objectives. The successful candidate will manage all activities relating to global supply base including contracts, commercial/pricing, supply assurance, innovation and conflict resolution. The successful candidate will oversee and implement category strategies through alignment with HARMAN business units, engineering, quality and manufacturing activities. Requires knowledge of the business units technology and product roadmaps and specific expertise in the procurement of mechanical, electrical parts and manufacturing cost structure.

What You Will Do

• Oversee, conduct, and actively manage the end-to-end strategic sourcing and procurement process of the assigned categories, globally
• Provide thought leadership and innovative strategies for optimizing sourcing effectiveness; identify and mitigate potential supply chain risks
• Work as the interface of Pro division with global sourcing on procedures, processes and strategy definition/implementation as well as tools implementation. Including creation and maintenance of Purchase Info Records, Master Data and ERP files that drive the business
• Develop and execute category sourcing strategies in alignment with product roadmaps and cross functional stakeholders at HARMAN that fosters the highest level of commitment to continuous improvement in product quality, (total) cost, and delivery
• Organize and lead regular QBR with strategic suppliers to track, report and drive continuous improvement on vendor performance metrics
• Coordinate and work with both corporate and regional stakeholders to standardize corporate-wide product specifications and establish and implement long-term strategic goals to continually enhance HARMAN's market position
• Lead corporate-wide teams to establish specifications, processes, policies, and procedures to manage demand for assigned categories
• Lead initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of the supply chain, including waste reduction, energy efficiency, and sustainable material sourcing
• Establish strong vendor relationships, effectively manage category supply base, perform advanced and intricate negotiations, RFx to realize annual savings, and oversee selection of key vendors, in line with category strategies
• Ensure expedient and compliant implementation of new contracts throughout organization
• Actively monitor vendor and internal performance against contracts, industry benchmarks, and previous baselines on a quarterly basis. Develop and submit reports for senior management
• Identify and evaluate market changes and new technologies -- make appropriate fact-based recommendations for adoption by HARMAN stakeholders
• Track and report on performance metrics
• Ensure all sourcing activities comply with local, national, and international regulations and standards, conduct regular audits and assessments to verify supplier compliance with legal and ethical requirements

What You Need to Be Successful

• Bachelor's Degree
• Minimum 8+ years of procurement experience
• Outstanding communication and presentation abilities in English
• Prior experience in sourcing and negotiating direct materials (focusing on metal components sourced out of NA region) in a consumer electronics or professional products environment using strategic category management techniques to achieve results
• Must possess the social intelligence to influence and lead at the most senior levels within the organization
• Strong skills with: Supplier management, negotiation, contract development/analysis, supplier evaluation, price/cost analysis, TCO

Bonus Points if You Have

• Prior experience in sourcing raw materials, tooling and sourcing complex services, e-mech component and/or raw PCB
• Master's degree in business administration
• 5+ years of working experience with OEM, JDM or ODM on complex products or subassembly from new Product Development through End of Life
• Experience in the professional lighting industry is a plus
• Experience in successfully using benchmarking and cost analysis tools to deliver negotiation outcomes to exceed the market index
• Thorough program/project management skills
• Good temperament and ability to work with suppliers and customers from different cultures
• Solid understanding of risk management techniques
• Excellent market research and trend analysis skills
• Strong strategic/long-range planning skills

What Makes You Eligible

• You are willing to travel, if necessary, up to 25%
• Eligible to work in the US
• Hybrid Role
• Successfully complete background investigation and drug screen as a condition of employment.

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 products (JBL, HARMAN Kardon, AKG, and more)
• 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

Pay Transparency

$ 117,000 - $ 171,600

Dependent on the position offered, other forms of compensation are also available, such as bonuses or commission.
Pay is based on a wide range of factors, including, without limitation, skill set, experience, training, location, and business need. While the above range is a reasonable estimate of the wage range for this position, please note the disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographical differential associated with the location where the position may be filled.

Benefits HARMAN is interested in the health and wellbeing of you and your family and offers a range of benefits designed to support your needs for holistic wellbeing. Benefits and perks may vary depending on the nature of your employment with HARMAN, and may include paid vacation and holidays, paid sick leave, volunteer leave, and paid bonding and care giver leave. Employees may also be eligible to participate in comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, fertility support and adoption assistance, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan with employer match, short and long term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.

About HARMAN: Where Innovation Unleashes Next-Level Technology Ever since the 1920s, we've been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.
Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today's most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world's ever-evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award-winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other.
If you're ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today!

Important Notice: Recruitment Scams
Please be aware that HARMAN recruiters will always communicate with you from an '@harman.com', '@careers.harman.com' or '@harmanglobal.avature.net' email address. We will never ask for payments, banking, credit card, personal financial information or access to your LinkedIn/email account during the screening, interview, or recruitment process. If you are asked for such information or receive communication from an email address not ending in one of the above email domains about a job with HARMAN, please cease communication immediately and report the incident to us through: View email address on click.appcast.io.

You Belong Here HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you - all within a support-minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want.
HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. HARMAN strives to hire the best qualified candidates and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse marketplaces and communities of our global colleagues and customers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, 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. HARMAN attracts, hires, and develops employees based on merit, qualifications and job-related performance.(
HARMAN is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. If you need assistance or an accommodation during the application process, please contact us at View email address on click.appcast.io. Requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis in accordance with applicable law.

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