Strategic Category Manager – Mechanical Components

Salient Motion, Inc.; Torrance (CA); On-site; USD 160,000 - 175,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Healthcare benefits

Life Insurance (2x salary)

Flexible PTO

401K

Financial Wellness Resources

Job summary

Salient Motion, Inc. in Torrance, CA is seeking a Category Manager, Mechanical Equipment to own the mechanical supply base behind our actuator lines.

You will source gears, housings, bearings, shafts, and machined parts, plus raw materials, coordinating with R&D and manufacturing to meet cost, timing, and spec. This strategic role requires 5+ years in sourcing for precision components in regulated environments (aerospace/defense), GD&T, material certs, and ITAR compliance.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing or category management.
• Experience sourcing machined, forged, or cast components and raw materials.
• Knowledge of GD&T, material certifications, and special processes.
• Experience negotiating supply agreements with machine shops and distributors.
• Familiarity with AS9100 quality systems and supplier qualification/audit processes.
• Must qualify as a U.S. Person under ITAR (22 CFR §120.15).

Responsibilities

• Own commodity strategy and supplier selection for precision mechanical components: gears, housings, bearings, shafts, and related machined/formed parts.
• Lead sourcing for new programs from RFQ through award, negotiating cost, lead time, and capacity commitments.
• Own procurement for New Product Introduction (NPI): lead early supplier involvement, drive right-first-time supplier selection, and manage components through initial production before handover to operational buyers.
• Qualify and develop precision machining, forging, and casting suppliers; lead supplier audits and capability assessments.
• Partner with design and manufacturing engineering on material selection to balance cost, performance, and manufacturability.
• Develop should-cost and price targets for mechanical commodities and own NPI cost-out commitments, using teardown and cost-modeling to drive supplier negotiations.
• Manage supplier corrective action for dimensional, material, or process quality escapes.
• Negotiate long-term agreements and POs with key machine shops, component providers, and distributors.
• Ensure supplier compliance with AS9100, ITAR/EAR, and material traceability/certification requirements (special process approvals).
• Support make/buy decisions and capacity planning in coordination with Salient Motion's internal CNC machine shop.

Skills

Strategic sourcing

Category management

Supply chain

GD&T

ITAR compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business, or related field

Tools

NetSuite

SAP

Epicor

Job description

Salient Motion, Inc. in Torrance, CA is seeking a Category Manager, Mechanical Equipment to own the mechanical supply base behind our actuator lines.

You will source gears, housings, bearings, shafts, and machined parts, plus raw materials, coordinating with R&D and manufacturing to meet cost, timing, and spec. This strategic role requires 5+ years in sourcing for precision components in regulated environments (aerospace/defense), GD&T, material certs, and ITAR compliance.