Global Category Manager

Description & Requirements

Introduction: A Career at HARMAN Lifestyle

We’re a global, multi-disciplinary team that puts the innovative power of technology to work and transforms tomorrow. As a member of HARMAN Lifestyle, you connect consumers with the power of superior sound.

• Contribute your talents to high-end, esteemed brands like JBL, Mark Levinson and Revel
• Unite your passion for audio innovation with high‑tech product development
• Create pitch‑perfect, cutting‑edge technology that elevates the listening experience

About the Role

The position will manage and execute category sourcing strategies and savings objectives. The successful candidate will manage all activities relating to the global supply base including contracts, commercial/pricing, supply assurance, innovation and conflict resolution. The successful candidate will oversee and implement category strategies through alignment with HARMAN business units, engineering, quality and manufacturing activities. Requires knowledge of the business units’ technology and product roadmaps and specific expertise in the procurement of mechanical, electrical parts and manufacturing cost structure.

What You Will Do

• Oversee, conduct, and actively manage the end‑to‑end strategic sourcing and procurement process of the assigned categories, globally
• Provide thought leadership and innovative strategies for optimizing sourcing effectiveness; identify and mitigate potential supply‑chain risks
• Work as the interface of Pro division with global sourcing on procedures, processes and strategy definition/implementation as well as tools implementation. Including creation and maintenance of Purchase Info Records, Master Data and ERP files that drive the business
• Develop and execute category sourcing strategies in alignment with product roadmaps and cross‑functional stakeholders at HARMAN that foster the highest level of commitment to continuous improvement in product quality, (total) cost, and delivery
• Organize and lead regular Q  with strategic suppliers to track, report and drive continuous improvement on vendor performance metrics
• Coordinate and work with both corporate and regional stakeholders to standardize corporate‑wide product specifications and establish and implement long‑term strategic goals to continually enhance HARMAN’s market position
• Lead corporate‑wide teams to establish specifications, processes, policies, and procedures to manage demand for assigned categories
• Lead initiatives to reduce the environmental impact of the supply chain, including waste reduction, energy efficiency, and sustainable material sourcing
• Establish strong vendor relationships, effectively manage category supply base, perform advanced and intricate negotiations, RFx to realize annual savings, and oversee selection of key vendors, in line with category strategies
• Ensure expedient and compliant implementation of new contracts throughout organization
• Actively monitor vendor and internal performance against contracts, industry benchmarks, and previous baselines on a quarterly basis. Develop and submit reports for senior management
• Identify and evaluate market changes and new technologies – make appropriate fact‑based recommendations for adoption by HARMAN stakeholders
• Track and report on performance metrics
• Ensure all sourcing activities comply with local, national, and international regulations and standards, conduct regular audits and assessments to verify supplier compliance with legal and ethical requirements

What You Need to Be Successful

• Bachelor’s Degree
• Minimum 8 + years of procurement experience
• Outstanding communication and presentation abilities in English
• Prior experience in sourcing and negotiating direct materials (focusing on metal components sourced out of NA region) in a consumer electronics or professional products environment using strategic category management techniques to achieve results
• Must possess the social intelligence to influence and lead at the most senior levels within the organization
• Strong skills with:
  Supplier management, negotiation, contract development/analysis, supplier evaluation, price/cost analysis, TCO

Bonus Points if You Have

• Prior experience in sourcing raw…