Principal Category Manager - PCBA

About Epirus  

Epirus is a high-growth technology company dedicated to overcoming the asymmetric challenges inherent to the future of national security. Epirus' flagship product, Leonidas, is a software-defined system built using intelligent power management techniques which allow power-hungry systems to do more with less.  

Job Summary:    

This is an exciting role in a growing company. The ideal candidate for the Principal Category Manager position is someone who is a skilled negotiator, has a strong strategic supplier vision, and has experience setting supplier strategies for long-term success. You will be responsible for source selection from proposal to execution phases, including negotiating strong positions for Epirus and building and maintaining strong supplier relationships. You will work with engineering to develop specifications, work statements, and terms and conditions for the procurement of specialized materials, equipment, and/or services by preparing bid packages, ensuring competition, negotiating key provisions, select suppliers, and executing the award.  This individual may be required to provide input and/or share their experience in establishing internal PCBA manufacturing, including capital equipment selection, preventative maintenance schedules, process flow, and identifying potential supplier needed working with production, advanced electronics, industrial and manufacturing engineering teams.  

Duties  

• Act as the sourcing and supplier expert in the PCBA space (specifically custom Epirus designs), but able to flex into multiple areas  

• Collaborate across business functions to identify supplier needs and negotiate strong pricing, terms & schedules with suppliers for development and production programs  

• Own and manage the full sourcing and procurement activities from development through production and final contract close out, including managing and avoiding cost & schedule scope creep  

• Review cross-team capabilities and ensure the supply base has appropriate manufacturing capacity and quality yield to enable aggressive ramp up of production  

• Manages the spend and supplier spend distribution for assigned mechanical commodities, including adding new suppliers as required  

• Head supplier relationship by ensuring alignment to Epirus needs, define escalation protocol, and audit and inspect supplier’s facilities to accurately assess technical capability, equipment, and capacity for rapid deployment of new product development and long-term production  

• Conduct comprehensive supplier analysis to inform ‘Make vs. Buy’ decisions, down select an optimal sourcing plan taking short term NPI requirements and long term production rates, technology replacement, price trend, market and industry position, and risk assessments into account  

• Deliver a seamless transition of viable new technologies into the product development process managing risks while meeting quality, schedule, and cost goals.  

• Collaborate across multiple functions to identify business needs, negotiate the right tradeoffs, solicit cooperation and resolve problems, and advance new supplier or product offerings.  

• Mentor other supply chain team members in developing skills.  

• Support other efforts, such as supply chain compliance, ERP development and other key company projects  

Required Qualifications  

• BS degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, Operations Management or related field  

• Minimum of 12 years of subcontract, commodity or supplier management experience OR minimum 8 years with a Master’s degree  

• Understanding of supplier risk identification, mitigation and contingency planning  

• Direct design for manufacturing or design for quality experience  More like this