Level 5 Category Manager

LEAD Category Manager (Level 5)

If you are a strategic Category Leader who owns global category strategy end-to-end and influences business decisions at the highest level, we want to hear from you.

We Are Prioritizing Candidates Who

• Have 12 years in sourcing/procurement with proven ownership of global category strategy (not just execution)
• Have led 3–5 year category roadmaps, aligning sourcing decisions with product and business strategy
• Actively build and manage global supplier networks, including selection, development, and long-term performance
• Have extensive experience leading complex, high-value negotiations (global agreements, capacity, long-term contracts)
• Drive cost optimization through deep cost modeling and TCO analysis
• Influence engineering, operations, and leadership on sourcing strategies and trade-offs
• Bring strong analytical and financial acumen to support strategic decisions
  
  

✅ Fully remote, high-visibility role with global scope

✅ Direct impact on product roadmaps, supplier strategy, and long-term business growth

Job Description

This LEAD Category Manager (Level 5) role leads end-to-end global category strategy for complex, technical components within a high-growth manufacturing environment.

You will operate as a business owner for your category, owning long-term strategy, shaping supplier partnerships, influencing engineering decisions, and ensuring long-term supply resilience. This is a highly visible, strategic role with direct impact on product roadmaps and company growth.

Responsibilities

• Own and execute global category strategy end-to-end, aligned to business objectives and product roadmaps
• Develop and manage multi-year category roadmaps (3–5 year horizon) with clear milestones
• Lead global supplier strategy, including identification, selection, onboarding, development, and performance management
• Drive complex global negotiations, including long-term agreements, pricing models, and capacity planning
• Partner closely with engineering to align sourcing with product design and technology roadmaps
• Collaborate with operations to ensure sourcing supports production, quality, and delivery targets
• Lead cost modeling and total cost of ownership (TCO) strategies to drive optimization
• Identify and mitigate global supply chain risks (capacity, geopolitical, single-source exposure)
• Drive continuous improvement in supplier performance across cost, quality, innovation, and delivery
• Build and maintain a global supplier roadmap aligned to current and future growth
• LPresent category strategies, risks, and performance to leadership
• Influence cross-functional stakeholders to align on sourcing decisions and trade-offs
• Lead sourcing initiatives supporting high-growth and rapid scaling demands
• Act as a strategic advisor on market trends, supplier capabilities, and opportunities
  
  

Basic Qualifications

• 12 years of experience in sourcing, procurement, or supply chain
• Proven experience owning and leading global category strategy
• Experience sourcing complex, technical components in manufacturing environments
• Strong experience in supplier strategy and lifecycle management
• Extensive experience leading complex, global negotiations
• Expertise in cost modeling and total cost of ownership (TCO)
• Proven ability to influence engineering, operations, and executive stakeholders
• Experience managing supply chain risk and long-term supplier resilience
• Strong financial and analytical skills to build business cases and strategic insights
• Executive-level communication and presentation skills
  
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in semiconductor, capital equipment, or advanced manufacturing
• Global sourcing experience across Asia and Europe
• experience in high-growth or scaling organizations
• Experience building and managing global supplier networks and roadmaps
• Track record of securing favorable long-term supplier agreements
• Exposure to AI-driven or technology-focused manufacturing growth
  
  

Work Environment

• Hybrid work enviornment
• Collaboration with distributed teams and international suppliers
• High-growth organization aligned with AI-driven demand
• Opportunity for significant strategic influence and career growth
• Occasional travel for supplier or site visits as needed
  
  

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Somerset, NJ.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $122000.00 - $156000.00/yr.

We can send candidates the benefits guide they shared with us

Workplace Type

This is a fully remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jun 26, 2026.

About Aston Carter

Aston Carter provides world-class corporate talent solutions to thousands of clients across the globe. Specialized in accounting, finance, human resources, talent acquisition, procurement, supply chain and select administrative professions, we extend the capabilities of industry-leading companies. We draw on our deep recruiting expertise and expansive network to meet the evolving needs of our clients and talent community with agility and excellence. With offices across the U.S., Canada, Asia Pacific and Europe, Aston Carter serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® Platinum Award winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email astoncarteraccommodation@astoncarter.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.