Category Manager

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  

• Previous experience in TCO analysis 

• Previous experience in negotiation of price and terms and conditions, as well as  awarding and managing supplier owned IP products or products designed from a statement of work 

• Direct experience and understanding of the end to end PCB/PCBA manufacturing process flow 

• Experience managing a program and working with cross-functional teams  

• US Citizen and/or Permanent Resident (future security clearance may be required)  

Desired Qualifications  

• MBA preferred  

• Aerospace/Defense experience and/or military experience  

• Experience working with FAR/DFAR Experience in Earned Value Management or related financial management experience  

• Component electronics manufacturing experience  

• Good written and oral communication skills  

• Collaborative; capable of working across all levels of the organization  

• Organized; comfortable working in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment  

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:   

To conform to U.S. Government export regulations, applicant must be a (i) U.S. citizen or national, (ii) U.S. lawful, permanent resident (aka green card holder), (iii) Refugee under 8 U.S.C. § 1157, or (iv) Asylee under 8 U.S.C. § 1158, or be eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.    

At Epirus, you’ll work with technical peers and great people—and get first crack at some of the defining technology challenges of our time. Here, “impossible” is just a challenge. We're a diverse, fast-growing team of change-makers fueling the future of energy with revolutionary solutions. Join us and rewrite the rules.  

As required by the Equal Pay Transparency Act, Epirus provides a reasonable range of minimum compensation for roles that may be hired. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and specific office location. For the state of California only, the range of starting pay for this role is: $160,000—$189,500 USD