Senior Global Category Manager

Molex; Fremont (CA); On-site; USD 170,000 - 240,000; Full time

Job summary

Molex in Fremont, CA is seeking a Senior Global Category Manager to lead the strategy and execution for the Complex Semiconductor category. You will build a world-class supply base, drive supplier performance, and align supplier roadmaps with Molex product plans.

You will collaborate with R&D, Product Development, and global supply chain teams to deliver supply assurance and cost improvements while leading critical supplier reviews and negotiations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years in procurement focusing on electronics category, sourcing, and engineering.
• Experienced in pricing and contract negotiation.
• Strong knowledge of the semiconductor category and market dynamics.
• Understanding of the product development process.
• Experience managing electronic component subcategories.
• Ability to travel up to 40% (domestic and international).

Responsibilities

• Develop the strategy and execution for the Complex Semiconductor category.
• Build a world class supply base for all Molex divisions with cost competitiveness.
• Maintain PSL/APL and manage supplier evaluation, segmentation and performance.
• Collaborate with Business Units, R&D and NPD to align category strategy.
• Lead early supplier involvement in New Product phases to optimize costs.
• Lead RFIs/RFQs and supplier negotiations to drive savings.
• Publish quarterly category updates and manage supplier relationships.

Skills

Category management

Strategic sourcing

Supplier relationship

Negotiation

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in business or engineering

Master's degree (preferred)

Job description

Your Job

As the Senior Global Category Manager, you will lead the development and execution of category strategy that enables Molex's five divisions to innovate and scale. You will build and manage a worldclass global supply base, drive supplier performance, and ensure alignment between supplier capabilities and Molex's product and technology roadmaps. In this role, you will work closely with crossfunctional teams - including R&D, Product Development, Business Units, architecture teams, and global supply chain partners - to deliver supply assurance, optimize cost structures, and accelerate new product introductions. You will also lead critical supplier interactions such as RFIs, RFQs, business reviews, and technology roadmap discussions, while providing market intelligence and quarterly category insights to senior leaders. This role is a key driver of supplier relationship management, continuous improvement, and longterm value creation across the semiconductor category.

Location

This is an onsite role based at our facility in Fremont, CA.

What You Will Do

• This position is for a Senior Global Category Manager responsible for the strategy development and execution of the Complex Semiconductor category.
• Develop a world class supply base capable of supporting all 5 Molex Divisions 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), and approved parts list (APL). Manage supplier evaluation, segmentation, and performance while ensuring supplier technical roadmaps are aligned with Molex Product roadmaps.
• Collaborate across Business Units, Regional Category Managers, R&D, and New Product Development Teams to communicate and execute category strategy. Ensure the supply base aligns with the technical requirements and commercial objectives to support the overall business needs.
• Leverage early supplier involvement during New Product phase to optimize initial cost structures and drive on-going cost efficiencies for current production products through muti-source, value engineering activities.
• Sustain and strengthen communications and collaboration with key supplier contacts while building executive-level relationships. Lead essential activities such as business reviews, technology roadmap discussions, tradeshow event coordination and supplier performance reviews. Ensure linkage to Business Unit financials and core objectives.
• Deliver supply assurance excellence to support new product development, mass production and product end-of-life transitions. Act as change agent by identifying process improvements that drive best-in-class results.
• Lead Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Quote (RFQ) processes to manage component pricing and data, preparing for supplier negotiations that deliver cost savings and added value for the business.
• Interface with internal architecture and development teams, supplier architecture and development teams, product managers, factory teams, supplier business management, and all departments of the Molex Supply Chain.
• Possess a deep understanding of semiconductor industry and leverage market intelligence resources to identify opportunities or risks. Develop insightful assessments that inform and guide key business decisions.
• Effectively communicate with Sr. Management inside and outside the company.
• Publish a quarterly category update providing market and supplier insights to internal stakeholders.
• Drive Supplier Relationship Management with complex semiconductor suppliers.

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field
• 10+ years of experience in a combination of procurement focused on electronics category, sourcing, and engineering
• Experienced in pricing and contract negotiation
• Possess a strong knowledge of the semiconductor category, including market dynamics, technology, production process, and advanced sourcing techniques
• Understanding of the product development process
• Experience managing electronic component subcategories
• Ability to travel up to 40% (domestic and international)

What Will Put You Ahead

• Master's Degree
• Knowledge of optical module architecture, active electrical cables, passive optical components and industry roadmaps for current and next-generation bandwidth platforms (400G, 800G, 1.6T).
• Understanding of critical component technologies for datacenters and optical networks including silicon photonics, laser diodes, photonic integrated circuits (PIC), co-packaged optics, isolators, and optical DSP solutions.

For this role, we anticipate paying $170,000 - $240,000 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.

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 philosophyhere.

Who We Are

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

• medical
• dental
• vision
• flexible spending and health savings accounts
• life insurance
• ADD
• disability
• retirement
• paid vacation/time off
• educational assistance
• infertility assistance
• paid parental leave
• adoption assistance

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.

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