Category Manager

Job Summary

Manages and ensures cost, availability, innovation, and quality according to target setting and BU requirements per given market. Ensures that cost and quality targets are met by utilizing advanced strategies on entire commodity categories.

About Cubic Corporation

Cubic is a company that creates and delivers technology solutions in transportation to make people's lives easier by simplifying their daily journeys, and defense capabilities to help promote mission success and safety for those who serve their nation.

Key Responsibilities

• Understands supplier market dynamics/intelligence (incl. technology road map from suppliers) and use it as an input into the sourcing strategy
• Performs long term and strategic planning
• Ensures alignment, anticipates changes, and drives activities based on supply market changes
• Design advanced sourcing strategies for individual commodities outside of traditional levers
• Serve as main interface between the procurement function and business units on specific product groups and categories to optimize sourcing strategies and business needs
• Selects key suppliers with input of Program Management and Quality for development of Master Purchase Agreements for critical systems/subsystem requirements for global application
• Manage critical supplier relationships to ensure the highest level of productivity and that industry partnerships are maintained
• Oversee, and participate in key negotiations and awards
• Set specific strategic goals and KPIs for cost and maturity on a commodity category level
• Provides guidance on proposal evaluation, negotiation, administration, including politically sensitive subjects
• Reviews critical procurement status information with senior management
• Develops cost reduction/cost avoidance programs with emphasis on total cost impact (i.e., consolidation of supply orders/contracts)
• Establishes and performs to budget specifications (both organizational and program-related)
• Develops strategies and tactics to optimize contract negotiations for maximum return on investment

Requirements

• Four-year college degree, in materials management, business administration, supply chain, or related field
• Ten (10) years of experience in diverse buying activities, including two years of supervisory experience
• Experience in IT Procurement
• Experience in one or more of the following categories: PCBA and Components; Electro-Mechanical Assemblies; Metals; OEM; and/or Indirect Spaces
• Knowledge of proposal evaluation and proven ability to negotiate effectively
• Ability to provide workable solutions to a wide variety of subcontractor/customer challenges
• Demonstrated leadership ability
• Strong written and oral communication skills for interface with all levels of management, both internally and externally
• Continuing education in procurement trends, transit requirements, etc is expected
• Materials management certificate desirable
• NAPM courses and CPM are desirable
• Occasional travel may be required