Category Manager

Responsibilities

• Manage global category strategy for materials including molding, rubber, resin, silver contacts, and fasteners.
• Implement category strategies across different product lines to consolidate and renationalize the global supplier base.
• Manage supplier performance regarding cost, quality, delivery, and service through regular business reviews.
• Develop and execute annual cost reduction plans, including VeVa projects and cost model implementation.
• Negotiate commercial terms, pricing, and payment terms to ensure competitive DPO.
• Monitor industry trends, market conditions, and competitor status to provide market intelligence.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and other regional category managers to support supplier development and negotiations.

Requirements

• 10+ years of procurement experience, with a specific focus on category management.
• 10+ years of experience working with manufactured products (industrial end markets preferred).
• Proven expertise in setting category strategies using models such as Porter's Five Forces, SWOT, or AT Kearney Chessboard.
• Strong skills in sourcing, contracting, and commercial negotiation.
• Proficiency in data analysis with the ability to interpret complex datasets into insightful results.
• Fluency in English (both verbal and written).
• High proficiency in Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Strong project management and cost modeling knowledge.

About the Company

Littelfuse is a diversified industrial technology manufacturing company shaping solutions for the safe and efficient transfer of electrical energy. Headquartered in Chicago, we serve customers across industrial, transportation, and electronics markets worldwide. With approximately 16,000 employees, we design and manufacture innovative technologies that support electrification, energy efficiency, and advanced automation.