Category Manager, Electrical

SUMMARY

We are seeking a senior‑level sourcing professional to lead our electronics category globally, supporting both current production and future product innovation. This role owns the sourcing strategy for electronics contract manufacturers and electronic components, partnering closely with engineering, manufacturing, and planning teams. You'll manage a complex, global supplier base while driving cost improvements, supplier performance, and risk mitigation strategies.

RESPONSIBILITIES

• Own and evolve Graco's global sourcing strategy for electronics, including EMS/ECM partners and electronic components such as PCBAs, box builds, semiconductors, passives, and connectors.
• Act as the electronics category subject matter expert, deeply understanding cost drivers, market conditions, capacity constraints, and global supply risks-and translating that insight into actionable sourcing strategies.
• Lead supplier selection and qualification efforts across a complex, multi tier global supply base, including assessment of technical capability, capacity, quality systems, test capability, and NPI readiness.
• Negotiate and manage highly complex global contracts, including LTAs and MSAs, ensuring alignment with business objectives around cost, flexibility, risk mitigation, and innovation.
• Build and maintain strategic supplier partnerships, leveraging suppliers early in the design cycle to influence manufacturability, cost, and technology roadmaps.
• Play a key role in new product introduction (NPI)-supporting programs from concept through launch by aligning sourcing strategy, supplier readiness, and cost targets.
• Partner closely with engineering and manufacturing teams on electronics driven initiatives such as NPI readiness, supplier transfers, cost down programs, dual sourcing strategies, and obsolescence driven redesigns.
• Manage and improve supplier performance across cost, quality, delivery, and service, while implementing continuous improvement initiatives throughout the procurement process.
• Navigate and mitigate risk across multi tier electronics supply chains, proactively addressing supply continuity, geopolitical exposure, and component lifecycle challenges.
• Serve as a trusted sourcing leader on cross functional and global teams, representing procurement at a strategic level and influencing decisions across the organization.

QUALIFICATIONS

• BA/BS degree in Business, Engineering, Supply Chain Management, or equivalent
• P.M./C.P.I.M. or related certification preferred
• 7 years of supply chain procurement, strategic sourcing, and/or purchasing experience
• Hands‑on experience sourcing electronics and EMS/contract manufacturing
• Strong understanding of electronics manufacturing processes (PCBA, SMT, box build, test)
• Proven success with LTAs, complex negotiations, and global supplier strategies
• Experience supporting NPI and cross‑functional electronics initiatives
• Working knowledge of Oracle ERP preferred