Electronics Category Manager

Nortek Data Center Cooling; Illinois; On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Nortek Data Center Cooling is seeking an Electronics Category Manager to lead sourcing strategies for electrical/components used in panels and control assemblies. You will closely collaborate with Engineering, Supply Chain, and Operations to drive cost efficiency, quality, and supply resilience.

The role requires a strong background in sourcing, vendor management, and cross-functional leadership to optimize spend and supply risk across global programs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required in a relevant field.
• 5+ years of experience in sourcing, category, or commodity management.
• Experience collaborating with Engineering and panel integrators.
• Strong negotiation and commercial skills.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies for assigned categories.
• Segment suppliers into strategic classifications and manage AVL.
• Own performance metrics for cost, lead time, quality and resilience.
• Partner with Engineering on component selection for NPI and identify substitutions.
• Negotiate pricing, agreements and stocking programs; manage supplier performance with QBRs.

Skills

Negotiation

Sourcing

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Supply Chain, or related field

Job description

Nortek Data Center Cooling builds the systems that keep modern data centers running — from liquid cooling to large-scale air solutions. Our work supports some of the world’s most demanding AI and hyperscale environments, and we solve those challenges with engineering depth and practical execution.

We keep things simple here. We communicate early, stay close to the details, and follow through. When issues come up, we address them directly, not with layers of process. Customers count on us because we do what we say and we keep projects moving.

Our culture is hands‑on and collaborative. People take ownership, move quickly, and help each other. If you like working with teammates who are straightforward and accountable, you’ll feel at home.

With the backing of Madison Air, we have the scale, stability, and manufacturing footprint to support complex, high‑growth programs.

Nortek Data Center Cooling. is an equal employment opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, status as a qualified individual with a disability or any other characteristic protected by law.

Nortek Data Center Cooling offers comprehensive compensation and benefits package. Our benefits package includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life, STD, LTD, FSA, HAS and 401(k) Plan with company contributions.

Job Summary

The Electronics Category Manager is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies, managing suppliers, and providing category leadership for electrical and electronic components used in electrical panels and control assemblies. This role collaborates closely with Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, and panel shops to ensure cost efficiency, quality, and supply resilience.

What You’ll Do

Category Strategy & Ownership

• Develop and implement category strategies for assigned categories.
• Segment suppliers into strategic classifications and manage AVL (Approved Vendor List).
• Own performance metrics for cost, lead time, quality, and supply resilience.

Engineering Collaboration & Design Support

• Partner with Engineering on component selection for new product introductions (NPI).
• Identify alternate components and substitutions.
• Drive standardization of components across product platforms.

Supplier Identification & Management

• Identify and qualify new OEMs and distributors.
• Negotiate pricing, agreements, and stocking programs.
• Manage supplier performance through QBRs and scorecards.

Panel Shop & Operations Support

• Act as sourcing liaison for panel shops.
• Support insourcing and outsourcing of Panels and electrical assemblies as needed.
• Standardize components and bills of materials (BOMs).
• Support escalations, costed BOMs, and Approved Manufacturer Lists (AML).

Cost Management & Optimization

• Develop cost-reduction initiatives and pipelines.
• Transition spend from distribution to direct OEM where beneficial.
• Manage assigned spend and build ideation and roadmaps to achieve Y-o-Y savings goals.

Lead-Time, Lifecycle & Risk Management

• Monitor global supply constraints and lead-time trends.
• Identify end-of-life (EOL) and last-time-buy (LTB) risks.
• Implement second sourcing and risk mitigation strategies.

Data Management & Compliance

• Maintain accurate ERP and PLM master data.
• Ensure compliance with regulatory and customer requirements.
• Own commercial agreements and reporting processes.

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electronics, Supply Chain, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in sourcing, category, or commodity management.
• Experience collaborating with Engineering and panel integrators.
• Strong negotiation and commercial skills.

Preferred (Not Required)

• Experience with UL 508A panel shops.
• Familiarity with low-voltage components and automation systems.
• Global sourcing experience.
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• Play an important role on a growing team
• Contribute to a company helping power the next generation of AI‑ready data centers
• Work in an environment with meaningful growth opportunities