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Category Management Lead

Grand Rapids, Michigan

Job ID 15268
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L3Harris is dedicated to recruiting and developing diverse, high-performing talent who are passionate about what they do. Our employees are unified in a shared dedication to our customers’ mission and quest for professional growth. L3Harris provides an inclusive, engaging environment designed to empower employees and promote work-life success. Fundamental to our culture is an unwavering focus on values, dedication to our communities, and commitment to excellence in everything we do.

L3Harris Technologies is an agile global aerospace and defense technology innovator, delivering end-to-end solutions that meet customers’ mission-critical needs. The company provides advanced defense and commercial technologies across space, air, land, sea and cyber domains. L3Harris has approximately $18 billion in annual revenue and 50,000 employees, with customers in more than 100 countries.

Job Description:

The Category Management Lead is responsible for owning all supply management aspects of a given supply base: aligning product strategy to supply strategy, leading  a cross-functional team to manage risks and drive execution for our Electronics Contract Manufacturers that support product development and production for the Surveillance Electronics Product line. The role supports the Avionics division programs of Commercial Aviation Solutions Sector. You will be responsible for creating relationship strategies and manage suppliers to simplify our supply strategy and reduce material costs by implementing projects and negotiations while ensuring product availability. You will be responsible for $70-$100M spend; focused primarily on electronics circuit cards subcontracting. You will be responsible to drive and implement L3Harris and industry wide standard practices for electronics manufacturing at our supply base to ensure our suppliers are on track with meeting our delivery, quality and cost requirements. You will take an active role in supplier risk evaluation and mitigation, as well as recovery plan execution and lead time reductions as we progress the post-COVID, post semi-conductor shortage world. 

Essential Functions:

  • Category Mgt Lead drives results measured by proactive supplier performance management, lower management costs, process and service improvements, risk mitigation and resultant productivity through supply chain via critical KPIs
  • Owns building, managing and ensuring execution of the category strategy for the Flight Data Recorders product line
  • Ability to travel to domestically and internationally to supplier manufacturing location(s) as needed to identify risks/opportunities related to delivery and quality performance, while driving implementation of lean manufacturing projects and monitoring execution of L3Harris products
  • Improve working capital through payment term extensions and effective material replenishment strategies such as Vendor Managed Inventory, Consignment, etc
  • Owns building category and subject matter expertise/insights and market intelligence to ensure sourcing solutions meet Product Line business needs
  • Acts as escalation point for supplier performance concerns related to scope of spend
  • Leading the supplier reviews and communication cadence Weekly/Monthly performance communications + quarterly business reviews
  • Updates and owns continuous assessment of supplier capabilities and recommends potential new supplier partners
  • Performs complex data analysis and ties to financial models (TCO, should cost, supplier scorecards, savings tracking, make vs buy or insource vs outsource decision models)
  • Hold suppliers accountable to contract obligations/service levels and business expectations, provide performance feedback, and move fast to implement continuous improvement projects and develop supplier capabilities

Qualifications: 

  • Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply Chain, Business or Engineering
  • 6+ years of related experience in strategic sourcing, commodity management, procurement or supply chain

Preferred Skill Set: 

  • Strong communication and collaboration skills with the ability to present and discuss strategy and analysis in a flat organization
  • Demonstrated knowledge in the areas of Circuit card assemblies, electro mechanical, electronics, displays and electronic components
  • Strong business acumen and ability to build strong business case to support recommendations
  • Strong background into developing Statement of Work for suppliers and developing Terms and Conditions for contracts
  • Understanding of global economics and ability to use market data/analytics to predict trends
  • Demonstrated negotiation skills and demonstrated cost out accomplishments
  • Strong interpersonal and planning skills to lead change through influencing abilities

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your résumé for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your résumé, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.

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