Global Category Manager - Electronics

Global Category Manager
- Electronics

Department: Logistics / Supply Chain / Distribution / Transportation

Employment Type: Full Time

Location: US
- Indiana
- Fort Wayne

Reporting To: Mayank Patel

Embark on a career journey with Franklin Electric, where your passion meets purpose, and every day is an opportunity to make a difference in our global communities in providing access to water, fuel and electricity.

The Global Category Manager
- Electronics provides strategic leadership for the global Electronics category portfolio, guiding sourcing and supplier management activities that support business objectives and operational needs. This role is responsible for developing and executing category strategies, fostering strong supplier partnerships, and collaborating with cross-functional teams to drive value, innovation, and supply continuity across the organization. The Global Category Manager monitors market dynamics, industry trends, and emerging technologies to support informed decision-making and a resilient supply base.

As a key leader within the procurement organization, this position provides category expertise, influences strategic initiatives, and helps strengthen capabilities across the broader sourcing team.

Franklin Electric is a diverse team of innovators making a positive global impact since 1944. We offer innovative water solutions, ensuring access, treatment, and efficient management of this vital resource. Our commitment to excellence is reflected in our innovative products, industry leading quality products, exceptional customer service, employee development, and passion for social responsibility.

Join us to create a better future while growing professionally in a supportive environment!

What you will be doing:

• Serves as the resident subject-matter expert on factors relevant to the electronics category, including product knowledge, applications/usage, processing knowledge, cost structure, global market dynamics, supplier capabilities, supplier market share, and supplier benchmarking.
• Develops and executes multi-year global category strategies and playbooks for electronic components, balancing cost, innovation, quality, and supply continuity.
• Utilizes contract negotiation, process changes, and implementation of sustainable cost controls—including collaboration with Finance—to validate the impact of proposed projects and drive stakeholder approval.
• Drafts, negotiates, and executes supplier contracts and Master Supply Agreements (MSAs), managing terms, liability, tooling, and pricing mechanisms.
• Manages semiconductor allocation, component lifecycle (EOL/PCN), obsolescence, and supply shortage mitigation to protect production continuity.
• Uses strategic sourcing tools to proactively conduct spend analysis, maintain should-cost and cost models by supplier and category, and communicate overall supplier performance, technology trends, and market conditions.
• Manages, develops, and maintains business relationships with suppliers and Electronic Manufacturing Service (EMS) partners, including supplier segmentation and relationship management.
• Manages and implements strategies and goals for the electronics category that support department objectives for quality, cost, payment terms, and supplier development.
• Leads supplier quality, delivery, cost, and performance management, driving corrective actions and continuous improvement (PPM, OTD, 8D).
• Supports New Product Introduction (NPI/NSI) with early supplier involvement, design-to-cost, and VA/VE initiatives in partnership with Engineering.
• Drives regionalization/localization strategies and dual-sourcing to reduce risk and total cost of ownership across the Americas, EMEA, APAC, and India.
• Routinely presents proposals, recommendations, and category metrics to senior leadership.
• Mentors and provides guidance to junior category managers and sourcing specialists; may act as team lead for the electronics category.
• Applies 7-Step Strategic Sourcing or other recognized strategic sourcing methodologies.

Who we want:
If you are a self-motivated and collaborative individual who is passionate about making a positive impact, we encourage you to…