What are the responsibilities and job description for the Global Category Specialist Power Components position at ABB Inc.?
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This position reports to:
Global Procurement Manager__
Your role and responsibilities
The Global Procurement Specialist / Global Category Specialist for Power Electronics Components is a senior individual contributor responsible for developing and executing global category strategies for key power semiconductor and passive components used across ABB's power electronics product lines. The role requires deep technical knowledge of power electronics BOMs, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to manage complex, multi-site supplier relationships globally.
The work model for the role is: hybrid
Your main accountabilities will be to:
The Global Procurement Specialist / Global Category Specialist for Power Electronics Components is a senior individual contributor responsible for developing and executing global category strategies for key power semiconductor and passive components used across ABB's power electronics product lines. The role requires deep technical knowledge of power electronics BOMs, strong commercial acumen, and the ability to manage complex, multi-site supplier relationships globally.
The work model for the role is: hybrid
Your main accountabilities will be to:
- Define and execute global category sourcing strategies for IGBTs, Film/Electrolytic Capacitors, SCRs, Thyristors, Displays, and Fuses.
- Lead global RFQ/RFP processes; conduct TCO analysis, cost benchmarking, and commercial negotiations with tier-1 and strategic semiconductor suppliers.
- Develop and maintain long-term agreements (LTAs) and global frame contracts with key suppliers (e.g. Infineon, ABB Semiconductors, Vishay, KYOCERA, Eaton, Littelfuse, etc.).
- Manage supplier qualification and onboarding in collaboration with Supplier Quality Engineering (SQE) and R&D teams.
- Analyse global spend, supplier concentration, and market trends; develop dual-source and multi-source strategies to mitigate supply risk.
- Monitor power semiconductor market dynamics (silicon, SiC, GaN), component lifecycle, and obsolescence management; implement last-time-buy strategies.
- Drive year-over-year cost savings through volume consolidation, competitive sourcing, design-to-cost, and VA/VE initiatives.
- Collaborate with Engineering and NPI teams globally to influence component selection and ensure strategic alignment from product concept through mass production.
- Manage end-to-end contract lifecycle: drafting, review, execution, and compliance monitoring.
- Report category performance (cost savings, OTD, quality, risk) to senior management on a regular basis.
- Support global sites (Bangalore, Quartino, Richmond, Frosinone, and others) in executing local procurement aligned with global category strategy.
- Ensure full compliance with ABB procurement policies, trade-compliance requirements (export control, sanctions), and supplier sustainability (ESG) standards.
Key Performance Indicators
- Annual cost savings vs. target (PPV, negotiated savings)
- Supplier On-Time Delivery (OTD) and quality performance
- LTA / frame contract coverage (% of category spend)
- Single-source risk reduction (dual-source coverage rate)
- Component obsolescence incidents and resolution time
- Supplier sustainability (ESG) assessment coverage
Our team dynamics
You will join a dynamic team, where you will be able to thrive.
Qualifications for the role
- Bachelor's/Master's degree in Electrical/Electronics/Power Electronics Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or related field.
- 5-12 years of experience in strategic procurement or category management for power electronics or semiconductor components.
- Deep technical understanding of IGBTs, thyristors, SCRs, capacitors, fuses, and display technologies used in industrial power electronics.
- Proven track record in global supplier negotiations, LTA management, and category strategy execution.
- Familiarity with power electronics products (drives, converters, UPS, traction, renewable energy systems) is strongly preferred.
- Experience with SAP Ariba, Jaggaer, or similar sourcing platforms; advanced MS Excel and Power BI skills.
- Ability and willingness to travel internationally (up to 20-30%).
- Fluent English (mandatory); Italian, German, or Spanish is an advantage depending on location.
- Professional certifications (CPSM, CIPS, or equivalent) are a plus.
This opportunity is open to candidates in multiple countries, with the final work location determined based on the selected candidate. As compensation may vary by location, we are committed to being transparent throughout the hiring process and will share details of the salary range, variable compensation and benefits package with candidates who progress to the first interview stage for a location in the European Union, covered by the EU Pay Transparency Directive.
The final offer will be tailored based on your role location, experience, skills and qualifications, internal market positioning and alignment with ABB internal standards.
The final offer will be tailored based on your role location, experience, skills and qualifications, internal market positioning and alignment with ABB internal standards.
Building a cleaner, smarter future takes all kinds of minds: the curious, the courageous, and the creative. That's why we welcome people from all backgrounds and experiences.
Ready to make an impact?
Apply today or visit https://www.abb.com to learn more about the impact of our solutions across the globe.
Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action at ABB Inc.
ABB Inc. is an Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) and Affirmative Action Employer encouraging diversity in the workplace.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to their sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. For more information regarding your (EEO) rights as an applicant, please visit the following websites:
http://www1.eeoc.gov/employers/upload/eeoc_self_print_poster.pdf
http://www.dol.gov/ofccp/regs/compliance/posters/pdf/OFCCP_EEO_Supplement_Final_JRF_QA_508c.pdf