Category Manager (PCB/PCBA)

About Epirus

Epirus is a high-growth technology company developing software-defined high-power microwave (HPM) systems with devastating counter-electronics effects on modern drone threats. The Epirus Leonidas HPM family of products, empowered by innovations in AI and microelectronics, is human-safe and cost-effective. Distinguishing itself from lasers, Leonidas excels against drone swarms while also bending the cost curve back in DoD's favor - taking drone defeat costs from millions of dollars per drone to pennies on the dollar.

 

Job Summary: The Epirus Supply Chain team is seeking a highly skilled, motivated, and experienced Category Manager focused on PCB/PCBAs to support our growing HPM business. This organization oversees the direct material sourcing for PCBAs for the company. In this role, you will own and manage the PCB/PCBA commodity strategy including leading supplier selection decisions with engineering, managing and developing key supplier relationships, driving cost reductions, and supporting new product introductions from a supply chain perspective. As a Category Manager, you will build and leverage strong working relationships with cross-functional partners in engineering and work together with our suppliers to ensure cost, quality, and delivery targets are met to achieve maximum advantage for Epirus and our customers.

 

Responsibilities: 

 

• Own category strategy for PCBAs for Epirus products including developing and maintaining relationships with strategic partners and identifying new suppliers as needed to support Epirus business and technical requirements
• Collaborate with counterparts and stakeholders in managing PCBAs and ensure commodity strategy aligns across all teams
• Own RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs in support of projects and lead supplier selection decisions, as required
• Assess supplier capabilities and capacity to support current and future technical and demand requirements; ensure suppliers selected can scale and grow with Epirus
• Lead contract negotiations with suppliers to complete supply, development, licensing and service agreements as needed
• Managing overall supplier relationships including supplier performance, capability, capacity planning, contracting, risk mitigation, and cost and quality improvements.
• Collaborating with technical operations, engineering, and program teams on new product introduction programs to define standard and custom product requirements to ensure that sourcing strategies meet the technical capabilities, cost, and business objectives.
• Develop efficient and accurate mechanisms for communicating forecast and capacity requirements for sustaining and new products.
• Supporting the purchasing and planning teams by monitoring supplier performance and addressing supply and/or quality issues.
• Developing a commodity and supplier technology roadmap, aligning business requirements with supplier capabilities.
• Lead and execute supplier resourcing projects as needed
• Build and develop cost models to aid in cost negotiations
• Drive cost negotiations with suppliers to ensure Epirus receives best possible value utilizing TCO model; leverage cost models and analysis on current market conditions
• Responsible for maintaining monthly supplier scorecards and conducting quarterly executive business reviews

 

 

Basic Qualifications:

 

• Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or Operations Management or equivalent experience
• At least 3 years of supply chain experience in a fast-paced, highly fluid environment or other evidence of exceptional ability
• Technical procurement and deep understanding of manufacturing processes within stated commodity
• Experience reading datasheets, drawings, and blueprints
• Add – Exposure to both RF and Digital PCB/PCBA

 

Preferred Skills and Experience:

 

• Experience with AS9100 D and CPSR
• Proven track record of leadership and team-building skills
• Strong vendor management experience
• Supply Chain experience with HPM and/or RF PCB/PCBAs
• Experience with contract negotiation
• Experience in a manufacturing organization is strongly preferred
• Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
• Knowledge and skills in current technologies and applications (e.g. MS Office Suite, SQL, Access, Altium, Solidworks, etc.)
• Effective written, verbal, and presentation communication skills
• Ability to learn quickly and prioritize appropriately to meet customer and company needs
• Excell