Senior Global Category Manager- Electronics

Flint Hills Resources; Lisle (IL); On-site; USD 165,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

Molex is seeking a Senior Global Category Manager- Electronics to lead the semiconductor category strategy and execution across five divisions, building a world-class supply base and driving supplier performance. You will guide RFI/RFQ activities, VE initiatives, and cross-functional collaboration to align supplier roadmaps with Molex product innovation.

The role requires 10+ years in electronics procurement, deep semiconductor expertise, and travel up to 20-40%.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering or equivalent.
• 10+ years of experience in procurement focused on electronics category, sourcing, and engineering.
• Understanding of product development process.
• Experienced in pricing and contract negotiation.
• Strong knowledge of the semiconductor category including market dynamics, technology, production process, and advanced sourcing techniques.
• Experience managing all electronic component subcategories.
• Travel up to 20-40% (domestic and international).

Responsibilities

• Lead the global strategy and execution for Molex’s Semiconductor category in a highly visible Senior Global Category Manager role with broad business impact.
• Build and shape a world-class semiconductor supply base that supports all five Molex divisions and enables speed, flexibility, and resilience.
• Partner across functions to define and manage the PSL and APL, shaping supplier selection, segmentation, and performance.
• Collaborate with Business Units, Regional Category Managers, R&D, Sourcing Engineering, and NPD teams to translate category strategy into action.
• Influence product economics from the start by engaging suppliers early in new product development and delivering sustainable savings through multi-sourcing and VE.
• Strengthen strategic partnerships with semiconductor suppliers and build executive relationships through business reviews and roadmap sessions.
• Champion supply assurance across the full product lifecycle and drive process improvements for best-in-class results.
• Lead RFI initiatives for TCO assessments and establish best practices across locations and facilities.
• Lead RFQ initiatives by integrating pricing, target cost analysis, and market intelligence for negotiations.
• Partner with Engineering to develop a multi-year VAVE pipeline delivering measurable value.
• Serve as a conduit across Molex and the supplier ecosystem with architecture, product managers, and global supply chain teams.
• Apply semiconductor market intelligence to anticipate opportunities/risks and guide sourcing decisions.
• Engage senior leaders with clear, persuasive communication and executive-ready recommendations.

Skills

Global sourcing

Supplier management

Cost reduction

RFI/RFQ

Value engineering

Category strategy

Semiconductor

Education

Bachelor's degree in business, engineering or equivalent

Job description

Senior Global Category Manager- Electronics

As theSenior 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 world‑class 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 cross‑functional 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 long‑term value creation across the semiconductor category.

Our Team

Molex brings together innovation and technology to deliver electronic solutions to customers worldwide. With a presence in more than 40 countries, Molex offers a full suite of solutions and services for many markets, including data communications, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, commercial vehicle and medical.

What You Will Do

• Lead the global strategy and execution for Molex’s Semiconductor category in a highly visible Senior Global Category Manager role with broad business impact
• Build and shape a world-class semiconductor supply base that supports all five Molex divisions and enables speed, flexibility, and resilience in a fast-paced global market
• Partner across functions to define and manage the preferred supplier list (PSL) and approved parts list (APL), shaping supplier selection, segmentation, and performance while aligning supplier technology roadmaps with Molex product innovation
• Collaborate with Business Units, Regional Category Managers, R&D, Sourcing Engineering, and New Product Development teams to translate category strategy into action and ensure the supply base supports both technical requirements and commercial growth objectives
• Influence product economics from the start by engaging suppliers early in new product development, optimizing initial cost structures, and delivering sustainable savings through multi-sourcing and value engineering
• Strengthen strategic partnerships with semiconductor suppliers and build influential executive-level relationships through business reviews, technology roadmap sessions, industry events, and supplier performance engagements
• Champion supply assurance across the full product lifecycle from new product development and mass production through end-of-life transitions while driving process improvements that deliver best-in-class results
• Lead high-impact Request for Information (RFI) initiatives that provide the foundation for total cost of ownership (TCO) assessments and establish best practices for evaluating and capturing cost advantages across supplier manufacturing locations and Molex production facilities
• Lead Request for Quote (RFQ) initiatives by integrating component pricing, target cost analysis, and market intelligence into effective negotiation strategies that deliver measurable savings, maximize business value, and support Molex’s cost reduction objectives
• Partner with Engineering to develop and manage a multi-year pipeline of value analysis and value engineering (VAVE) initiatives that deliver measurable, realized value across Molex divisions
• Serve as a key conduit across Molex and the supplier ecosystem, partnering with architecture and development teams, product managers, factories, supplier business leaders, and the broader Molex Supply Chain organization
• Apply deep semiconductor industry expertise and market intelligence to anticipate emerging opportunities and risks, develop actionable insights, and guide critical sourcing and business decisions
• Engage and influence senior leaders within Molex and across the supplier community through clear, persuasive communication and executive-ready recommendations

Who You Are (Basic Qualifications)

• Bachelor’s degree in business, engineering or equivalent
• 10+ years of experience in a combination of procurement focused on electronics category, sourcing, and engineering
• Understanding of product development process
• Experienced in pricing and contract negotiation
• Possess a strong knowledge of the semiconductor category including market dynamics, technology, production process, and advanced sourcing techniques
• Must have experience managing all electronic component subcategories
• Travel up to 20-40% (domestic and international)

Skills & Abilities:

• Proven ability to develop and execute global sourcing and supplier management strategies that integrate technical, operational, and commercial requirements
• Expertise in supplier risk management, business continuity planning, and supply assurance
• Strong financial acumen, including total cost of ownership, cost-modeling, and should-cost analysis
• Ability to interpret market intelligence and translate industry trends into actionable sourcing strategies
• Exceptional stakeholder management, cross-cultural leadership, executive communication, and presentation skills, with the ability to persuasively influence cross-functional teams, suppliers, and senior leaders across regions
• Experience leading supplier performance management, supplier development, and executive business reviews
• Demonstrated ability to manage complex commercial agreements and long-term supplier partnerships
• Strong decision making and problem-solving skills in fast-paced and dynamic market environment
• Ability to manage competing priorities and deliver results across a complex, global matrix organization
• Proficiency in procurement analytics, data visualization, and digital sourcing technologies
• Strong understanding of geopolitical, regulatory, sustainability, and compliance risks affecting the global semiconductor supply chain, with a demonstrated commitment to ethical sourcing, responsible procurement, and supplier compliance
• Ability to lead organizational change and accelerate adoption of new sourcing strategies, processes, and technologies
• Experience developing category governance, performance metrics, and executive-level reporting
• Proven ability to identify and develop emerging suppliers and technologies that expand innovation and sourcing opportunities
• Knowledge of semiconductor product lifecycles, obsolescence management, capacity planning, and allocation strategies
• Experience mentoring and developing category management and sourcing talent

What Will Put You Ahead

• Master's Degree

For this role, we anticipate paying $165,000 - $200,000 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. If you have questions, please speak to your recruiter about the flexibility and detail of our compensation philosophy.

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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 goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall wellbeing so you can focus on what matters most. Our benefits plan includes - medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts, life insurance, ADD, disability, retirement, paid vacation/time off, educational assistance, and may also include infertility assistance, paid parental leave and adoption assistance. Specific eligibility criteria is set by the applicable Summary Plan Description, policy or guideline and benefits may vary by geographic region. If you have questions on what benefits apply to you, please speak to your recruiter.

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