Global Category Manager - Memory & Semiconductors

Zebra Technologies; Lincolnshire (IL); Hybrid; USD 123,000 - 184,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Performance-based incentive

Healthcare

Learning & development

Community engagement days

Job summary

Zebra Technologies is seeking a Global Category Manager for Memory & Semiconductors in the United States. You will lead strategic category plans, influence engineering roadmaps, and manage supplier relationships with tier-1 manufacturers and distributors.

The role requires deep semiconductor market knowledge and the ability to secure long-term supply continuity. In this hybrid position, you will collaborate with Hardware Engineering, Product Management, and Supply Chain teams while driving cost

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required (Supply Chain, Engineering, Business Administration, or Finance preferred). MBA or industry certifications (CPSM, CPIM) are a strong plus.
• 8+ years of progressive strategic sourcing and category management experience, with a mandatory minimum of 3-5 years specifically managing semiconductor, memory, or complex electronic component categories.
• Deep understanding of the semiconductor manufacturing lifecycle, supply chain complexities, and key market players.

Responsibilities

• Strategic Category Leadership: Develop and execute comprehensive, multi-year category strategies for Memory and Semiconductors, aligning supplier capabilities with our hardware engineering roadmaps and business objectives.
• Market Intelligence & Risk Mitigation: Act as the internal subject matter expert on semiconductor market trends, fab capacity constraints, and pricing cycles. Proactively identify supply chain risks and develop robust mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply.
• Complex Deal Negotiation: Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing events. Negotiate complex global master agreements, capacity reservations, and pricing models with tier-1 semiconductor manufacturers and distributors.
• Executive Supplier Relationship Management (SRM): Cultivate and manage strategic partnerships with key silicon suppliers. Conduct regular Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and drive supplier innovation, performance, and continuous cost improvements.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner tightly with Hardware Engineering, Product Management, and Supply Chain teams to influence early design decisions, ensuring we are designing for supply chain resilience and optimal Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).

Skills

Technical acumen

Negotiation

Executive presence

Agility

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Overview

At Zebra, we are a community of innovators who come together to create new ways of working. United by curiosity and a culture of caring, we develop smart solutions that anticipate our customer’s and partner’s needs and solve their challenges.

Overview

At Zebra, we are a community of innovators who come together to create new ways of working. United by curiosity and a culture of caring, we develop smart solutions that anticipate our customer’s and partner’s needs and solve their challenges.
Being part of Zebra Nation means you are seen, heard, valued, and respected. Drawing from our unique perspectives, we collaborate to deliver on our purpose. Here you are part of a team pushing boundaries today to redefine the work of tomorrow for organizations, their employees, and those they serve.
You’ll have opportunities to learn and lead in a forward-thinking environment, defining your path to a fulfilling career while channeling your skills toward causes you care about—locally and globally.
Come make an impact every day at Zebra.

What We're Looking For

Are you a strategic sourcing expert with a deep understanding of global semiconductor markets and memory technologies?
We are seeking a highly strategic Global Category Manager for Memory & Semiconductors to lead one of our most critical hardware supply chains. In this role, you will be much more than a tactical buyer; you will act as a key advisor to our engineering and business leadership. By applying your deep knowledge of silicon market cycles, fab capacity dynamics, and semiconductor pricing trends, you will define and execute 1- to 3-year strategic category plans. You will navigate complex global supply markets, secure long-term continuity of supply for critical components (DRAM, NAND, logic, microcontrollers), and foster executive-level relationships with tier-1 technology partners.

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

• Strategic Category Leadership: Develop and execute comprehensive, multi-year category strategies for Memory and Semiconductors, aligning supplier capabilities with our hardware engineering roadmaps and business objectives.
• Market Intelligence & Risk Mitigation: Act as the internal subject matter expert on semiconductor market trends, fab capacity constraints, and pricing cycles. Proactively identify supply chain risks and develop robust mitigation strategies to ensure continuity of supply.
• Complex Deal Negotiation: Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing events. Negotiate complex global master agreements, capacity reservations, and pricing models with tier-1 semiconductor manufacturers and distributors.
• Executive Supplier Relationship Management (SRM): Cultivate and manage strategic partnerships with key silicon suppliers. Conduct regular Quarterly Business Reviews (QBRs) and drive supplier innovation, performance, and continuous cost improvements.
• Cross-Functional Collaboration: Partner tightly with Hardware Engineering, Product Management, and Supply Chain teams to influence early design decisions, ensuring we are designing for supply chain resilience and optimal Total Cost of Ownership (TCO).
• Spend & Portfolio Management: Manage a high-value global spend portfolio. Drive analytics, perform detailed TCO modeling, track market indices, and deliver against aggressive savings and value-creation targets.

Job Requirements

• Bachelor's degree required (Supply Chain, Engineering, Business Administration, or Finance preferred). MBA or industry certifications (CPSM, CPIM) are a strong plus.
• 8+ years of progressive strategic sourcing and category management experience, with a mandatory minimum of 3-5 years specifically managing semiconductor, memory, or complex electronic component categories.
• Deep understanding of the semiconductor manufacturing lifecycle, supply chain complexities, and key market players.
• Must reside in the US with the ability to work a hybrid schedule (3 days in office, 2 days remote) out of either Lincolnshire, IL, Holtsville, NY or Austin, TX. Some light travel to be expected.

Key Skills and Competencies

• Technical Acumen: Ability to translate complex engineering requirements into strategic sourcing strategies.
• Negotiation & Contracting: Mastery of complex, high-stakes contract negotiations.
• Executive Presence: Exceptional ability to present to, influence, and inspire trust with executive leadership both internally and externally.
• Agility & Resilience: Proven ability to navigate volatile market conditions and manage allocations during industry shortages.

Equal Opportunity Employer

Zebra is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability and protected veteran status, or any other basis prohibited by law. If you are an individual with a disability and need assistance in applying for a position, please contact us at [e-mail].

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Pay Range

$122,800.00 - $184,200.00 Annual

Incentive Compensation

In addition to base pay, Zebra offers this role the opportunity to earn a performance-based annual cash incentive, at a target equal to 12% of base pay, in accordance with the terms of the applicable incentive plan.

Zebra Total Rewards

Zebra Total Rewards includes more than just pay and is structured to meet the needs of our changing global business and evolving talent. We are committed to providing our employees with a benefits program that is comprehensive and competitive – including healthcare, wellness, inclusion networks, and continued learning and development offerings. We offer community service days, in addition to the traditional insurances, compensation, parental leave, employee assistance program and paid time off offerings depending on the country where you work.
Salary offered will vary depending on your location, job-related skills, knowledge, and experience.
Additionally, all Zebra roles are eligible for cash incentive programs. For example, sales roles have additional opportunity to earn substantial variable compensation tied to quota achievement. In most other roles, the Zebra annual cash incentive program links Company and individual performance together. Some roles may also be eligible for long-term incentive equity awards.

Benefits

We understand the importance of work-life balance and wellbeing, which is why we offer flexibility for our teams including: hybrid work, adaptable hours, Summer Flex Fridays, Focus Fridays, and an annual companywide well-being day to promote revitalization and success.

AI Technology Statement

Zebra Technologies leverages AI technology to evaluate job applications using objective, job-relevant criteria. This approach enhances efficiency and promotes fairness in the hiring process. However, every decision regarding interviews and hiring is made by our dedicated team, because we believe people make the best decisions about people. For more on how we use technology in hiring and how we process applicant data, see our Zebra Privacy Policy.