Category Manager - Components

ROLE OVERVIEW

The Category Manager – Components is a pivotal role sitting at the intersection of product expertise, supply chain management, and vendor relations. This person owns the full lifecycle of component inventory at Frame First — from establishing and managing supplier relationships to monitoring on-hand stock, analyzing lead times, and placing timely purchase orders that keep our assembly operations running without interruption.

You will function simultaneously as a category expert, account manager, supply planner, and purchaser. You know what makes a great groupset, which derailleur is the right fit for premium trail bike versus a pro enduro build, and you understand the supply dynamics of the cycling industry well enough to anticipate shortages before they become problems.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Inventory Planning & Purchasing

•    Monitor real-time on-hand inventory levels across all component categories and SKUs

•    Cross-reference supplier lead times against demand forecasts and upcoming order pipelines

•    Generate and place purchase orders at the right time and in the right quantities to maintain target stock levels

•    Develop and maintain reorder point triggers and safety stock buffers by SKU and category

•    Reconcile inbound receipts against POs and resolve discrepancies with suppliers

•    Maintain an accurate, up-to-date component master database including specs, pricing, and sourcing data

Vendor & Partner Management

•    Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for component supplier accounts

•    Build and maintain strong relationships with brand reps, distributors, and direct suppliers

•    Negotiate pricing, terms, and allocation commitments to ensure competitive positioning

•    Track supplier performance on fill rate, on-time delivery, and quality — escalate issues proactively

•    Coordinate new product onboarding with suppliers, including sample review and digital configurator integration

Product Knowledge & Category Management

•    Maintain deep, current product knowledge across drivetrain, brake systems, cockpit, wheels/tires, suspension, and finishing kits for MTB, gravel, and road disciplines

•    Identify emerging component technologies and brands that should be added to Frame First’s component catalog

•    Flag and recommend discontinuation of slow-moving, obsolete, or superseded SKUs

•    Partner with the configurator and sales teams to ensure the component catalog reflects current market options and Frame First’s build philosophy

•    Stay current on model-year changeovers, compatibility standards (e.g., UDH, T-Type, AXS groupsets), and industry supply trends

Cross-Functional Collaboration

•    Work closely with assembly operations to understand build schedules and component consumption rates

•    Partner with the demand planning function to align purchasing with sales forecasts and brand partner pipelines

•    Coordinate with the finance team on open PO exposure, accruals, and inventory valuation

•    Support the sales and configurator teams with component availability and substitution guidance

QUALIFICATIONS

Required

•    3 years of experience in inventory management, supply chain, or purchasing — ideally within the cycling or action sports industry

•    Deep working knowledge of bicycle components across mountain, gravel, and road categories — including brands such as SRAM, Shimano, RockShox, Fox, Industry Nine, Cane Creek, and similar

•    Experience managing vendor relationships and negotiating procurement terms

•    Proficiency with inventory management or ERP systems and strong spreadsheet skills (Excel / Google Sheets)

•    Ability to read lead times, stock levels, and demand signals and translate them into actionable purchase decisions

•    Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple SKUs, suppliers, and priorities simultaneously

•    Excellent written and verbal communication — comfortable interfacing directly with brand reps and internal leadership

Preferred

•    Experience in a direct-to-consumer or build-to-order fulfillment environment

•    Familiarity with bicycle assembly processes and component compatibility requirements

•    Background working with configurator platforms or multi-SKU product catalog environments

•    Experience with systems such as NetSuite, or similar inventory/ERP tools

•    Active cyclist with hands-on experience building or wrenching on bikes

COMPENSATION & BENEFITS

•    Competitive base salary commensurate with experience

•    Performance bonus tied to inventory accuracy, fill rate, and cost savings targets

•    Full health, dental, and vision benefits

•    Employee bike build program — deep access to the Frame First platform and component catalog

•    Flexible / hybrid work arrangement — Southern California proximity preferred; in-office presence required for key operational cycles but not mandatory 5 days per week

•    Opportunity to help define the role and grow with a fast-moving startup at the center of the premium bicycle industry