Senior Category Manager

Veeco Instruments Inc.; Franklin Township (NJ); On-site; USD 122,000 - 164,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with Company Match

Flexible Spending Accounts

Life and Disability Insurance

Tuition Reimbursement

Job summary

Veeco Instruments Inc. is seeking a Senior Category Manager to shape and lead global sourcing strategies across a key product category. You will partner with Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain to translate technical needs into resilient supplier roadmaps and cost-efficient, scalable solutions.

The role emphasizes strategic impact over transactional work, with a focus on cost savings, supplier development, and risk mitigation in a fast-growing technology environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required; MBA preferred.
• Minimum 12 years in supply chain sourcing; 5+ years managing global categories.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve global category sourcing strategy.
• Develop category roadmaps aligned with business objectives.
• Understand global supply markets and cost drivers.
• Lead negotiations for best terms and drive supplier performance.
• Collaborate with Engineering, Operations, and Program teams to align roadmaps.
• Drive cost optimization and risk mitigation.

Skills

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Supplier selection

Commercial negotiations

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Excel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Business or Engineering

MBA preferred

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Senior Category Manager

Location: US - NJ - Somerset

Requisition ID: 20127

About Veeco

You probably don't realize it, but what we do at Veeco touches the lives of every person, every day. It's a bold statement, but it's true. From the smartphones in our pockets that access the world's collective knowledge, to the cloud-based services where all that information lives, to high-speed wireless communication and computing power needed to drive artificial intelligence, augmented and virtual reality, gaming and so much more, our technology is all around us.

We design, develop, manufacture, and service highly complex, cutting-edge machines used by our customers to create the essential devices that drive the digital age, connect the world, and improve the human experience. Along with the world's leading technology companies, many of which are household names, we help solve their most difficult material science challenges, enabling technologies for a more connected, sustainable, and convenient world.

We're looking for material difference-makers to join our growing team. Interested? Learn more at www.veeco.com/careers.

Overview

Veeco is entering a period of accelerated growth driven by expanding demand across advanced semiconductor, AI, and high-performance computing markets. As our business scales globally, so does the complexity and strategic importance of our supply chain.

We are hiring a Senior Category Manager to help shape and lead sourcing strategies across a global category. This is not a transactional role-it is a high-impact leadership opportunity to build and optimize supply strategies that directly enable Veeco's growth, innovation, and ability to deliver to customers worldwide.

In this role, you will act as a true business partner across Engineering, Operations, and Supply Chain, translating product and technology requirements into resilient, cost-effective, and scalable supplier strategies. You'll develop deep market intelligence, build strong supplier partnerships, and lead initiatives that drive measurable business outcomes.

This is an ideal opportunity for someone who thrives in a dynamic environment and wants to own a category end-to-end, influence decision-making, and leave a lasting impact on a rapidly growing global organization.

Responsibilities

• Own and evolve sourcing strategy for a global category aligned to your expertise, ensuring scalability to support Veeco's growth trajectory.
• Develop category roadmaps aligned with business objectives, focusing on total cost of ownership, supply continuity, innovation, and risk mitigation.
• Build deep understanding of global supply markets, including cost drivers, capacity trends, emerging technologies, and supplier landscapes.
• Leverage insights to inform sourcing decisions and proactively position Veeco for competitive advantage.
• Collaborate closely with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Program teams to align sourcing strategies with product and technology roadmaps.
• Lead cross-functional initiatives to drive cost optimization, lead time reduction, and supplier performance improvements.
• Develop and maintain strong strategic partnerships with key suppliers globally.
• Evaluate, select, and onboard suppliers that align with Veeco's quality, cost, and scalability needs.
• Conduct business reviews and performance assessments, driving continuous improvement and accountability.
• Lead complex negotiations to secure best-in-class terms across pricing, delivery, contracts, and service levels.
• Structure agreements that balance cost competitiveness with long-term supply resilience.
• Identify and mitigate supply chain risks, including single-source dependencies, geopolitical factors, and capacity constraints.
• Develop contingency strategies to ensure an uninterrupted supply in a dynamic global environment.
• Drive initiatives that improve efficiency, supplier performance, and overall supply chain effectiveness.
• Introduce and scale best practices in category management across the organization.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field; or equivalent combinati on of experience and education in lieu of degree required; MBA preferred. At least 12 years of experience in supply chain strategic sourcing, including at least 5 years managing global categories in a complex manufacturing or technology environment.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Strong expertise in category management, strategic sourcing, supplier selection, and commercial negotiations.
• Ability to translate technical requirements into effective sourcing strategies and supplier decisions.
• Experience working with cross-functional teams in engineering-driven or product-centric organizations.
• Proven track record of delivering cost savings, supplier performance improvements, and risk mitigation outcomes.
• Strong analytical skills with the ability to interpret market data, cost structures, and financial impacts.
• Skilled in supplier relationship management and development of global supply bases.
• Excellent communication and influencing skills across all levels of the organization.
• Proficiency in data analysis and presentation tools (Excel, PowerPoint, etc.).

Salary and Benefits

The expected salary range for this position is $122,000-$164,000, plus a bonus opportunity. We will consider your location, experience, and other job-related factors when determining your pay.

• Medical, Dental, and Vision
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Holiday, Vacation, and Sick Time
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA)
• Commuter Benefits
• Life and Accident Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Identity Theft Remediation
• Emergency Travel Assistance

Veeco is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information, and other legally protected characteristics. Veeco is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities.

Nearest Major Market: New Jersey