Sr. Global Category Manager

Your Job

As the Senior Global Category Manager
, you will lead the development and execution of category strategy that enables Molex's five divisions to innovate and scale. You will build and manage a worldclass global supply base, drive supplier performance, and ensure alignment between supplier capabilities and Molex's product and technology roadmaps. In this role, you will work closely with cross functional teams - including R&D, Product Development, Business Units, architecture teams, and global supply chain partners - to deliver supply assurance, optimize cost structures, and accelerate new product introductions.

You will also lead critical supplier interactions such as RFIs, RFQs, business reviews, and technology roadmap discussions, while providing market intelligence and quarterly category insights to senior leaders. This role is a key driver of supplier relationship management, continuous improvement, and longterm value creation across the semiconductor category.

Location:

This is an onsite role based at our facility in Fremont, CA.

• This position is for a Senior Global Category Manager responsible for the strategy development and execution of the Complex Semiconductor category.
• Develop a world class supply base capable of supporting all 5 Molex Divisions while driving flexibility, agility, and cost competitiveness, in a fast paced, dynamic environment.
• Work collaboratively and cross functionally to develop and maintain a preferred supplier list (PSL), and approved parts list (APL). Manage supplier evaluation, segmentation, and performance while ensuring supplier technical roadmaps are aligned with Molex Product roadmaps.
• Collaborate across Business Units, Regional Category Managers, R&D, and New Product Development Teams to communicate and execute category strategy. Ensure the supply base aligns with the technical requirements and commercial objectives to support the overall business needs.
• Leverage early supplier involvement during New Product phase to optimize initial cost structures and drive on-going cost efficiencies for current production products through muti-source, value engineering activities.
• Sustain and strengthen communications and collaboration with key supplier contacts while building executive-level relationships. Lead essential activities such as business reviews, technology roadmap discussions, tradeshow event coordination and supplier performance reviews. Ensure linkage to Business Unit financials and core objectives.
• Deliver supply assurance excellence to support new product development, mass production and product end-of-life transitions. Act as change agent by identifying process improvements that drive best-in-class results.
• Lead Request for Information (RFI) and Request for Quote (RFQ) processes to manage component pricing and data, preparing for supplier negotiations that deliver cost savings and added value for the business.
• Interface with internal architecture and development teams, supplier architecture and development teams, product managers, factory teams, supplier business management, and all departments of the Molex Supply Chain.
• Possess a deep understanding of semiconductor industry and leverage market intelligence resources to identify opportunities or risks. Develop insightful assessments that inform and guide key business decisions.
• Effectively communicate with Sr. Management inside and outside the company.
• Publish a quarterly category update providing market and supplier insights to internal stakeholders.
• Drive Supplier Relationship Management with complex semiconductor suppliers.

• Bachelor's Degree in Business, Engineering, or a related field
• 10+ years of experience in a combination of procurement focused on electronics category, sourcing, and engineering
• Experienced in pricing and contract negotiation
• Possess a strong knowledge of the semiconductor category, including market dynamics, technology, production process, and advanced sourcing techniques
• Understanding of the product development process
• Experience managing electronic component subcategories
• Ability to travel up to 40% (domestic and international)

• Master's Degree
• Knowledge of optical module architecture, active electrical cables, passive optical components and industry roadmaps for current and next-generation bandwidth platforms (400G, 800G, 1.6T).
• Understanding of critical component technologies for datacenters and optical networks including silicon photonics, laser diodes, photonic integrated circuits (PIC), co-packaged optics, isolators, and optical DSP solutions.

For this role, we anticipate paying $170,000 - $240,000 per year. This role is eligible for variable pay, issued as a monetary bonus or in another form.

Our goal is for each employee, and their families, to live fulfilling and healthy lives. We provide essential resources and support to build and maintain physical, financial, and emotional strength - focusing on overall…