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Senior Category Manager

Harman
life insurance, sick time, long term disability
United States, California, Northridge
Feb 17, 2026

Description & Requirements

About the Role

The key responsibility of this role is to lead and advise strategic category management of assigned direct material categories (components for manufacturing) and suppliers. The role involves creating procurement category strategies and leading highly complex global transformational initiatives in the category. Activities include supplier development and engagement strategies, designing viable procurement strategies for high risk / high complexity product groups (e.g. life safety critical metal parts, brand image relevant technical plastics), end-to-end procurement project lead responsibilities of transformational projects (e.g. product / manufacturing relocation projects). This role supports global manufacturing and has internal stakeholders and external business partners in multiple countries and regions globally. Internal and external counterparts are Directors and above (manufacturing, SIOP, R&D, PMO, supplier sales). This is an individual contributor with no direct reporting organization.

What You Will Do

Responsibilities:

  • Develop procurement strategies of assigned direct material categories. Advise mechanical category procurement group on strategy development.
  • Lead supplier management for assigned category: new supplier identification, supplier capability and risk assessment, approved supplier list optimization
  • Design viable procurement strategies for high risk / high complexity product groups (e.g. life safety critical metal parts, brand image relevant technical plastics / front panels)
  • Lead supply chain risk management: in alignment with Legal & Compliance, apply strategies, tools and standards for risk management in Procurement; create and implement related business processes and monitor execution
  • Perform end-to-end procurement project lead responsibilities of transformational projects (e.g. product / manufacturing relocation projects).
  • Align procurement strategies with other divisions and business units, ensure One Harman approach in SRM, sourcing and crisis management
  • Lead continuous improvement and process Quality initiatives in mechanical procurement: e.g. in contracting, supply and capacity agreements, material transparency and compliance areas
  • Lead mechanical Procurement sustainability initiatives and projects as it relates to material use, recycled materials opportunities, or supplier sustainability assessments

What You Need to Be Successful

  • Bachelor's degree with a preference forbusiness administration or economics
  • Successful leadership experience in global procurement organizations.
  • 10+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, cost analysis and supply chain optimization of mechanical parts and subassemblies for non-automotive industrial use.
  • Seniority and independence to negotiate with managing directors / owners / sales managers as peers
  • Have a comprehensive understanding of the procurement process, data universe and toolset
  • Excellent analytics and presentation skills. Experience in use of data visualization tools like SAP BI or Qlik.
  • Excellent interpersonal, organizational, verbal and written communication skills required in English, with experience in intercultural functional leadership.

Bonus Points if You Have

  • Experience in audio technology or lighting industry supply chain; high mix & low volume industries.
  • Experience in mechanical manufacturing processes (molding, die casting, CNC, machining) and electromechinal assembly processes.
  • Knowledge of modern procurement tools such as SAP, iValua, Ariba.
  • Previous experience with analytics tools like BI, Qlik Sense
  • Second language skills in Chinese/Spanish/Hungarian/Danish
Pay Transparency
$ 173,250 - $ 254,100
Dependent on the position offered, other forms of compensation are also available, such as bonuses or commission.
Pay is based on a wide range of factors, including, without limitation, skill set, experience, training, location, and business need. While the above range is a reasonable estimate of the wage range for this position, please note the disclosed range estimate has not been adjusted for the applicable geographical differential associated with the location where the position may be filled.
Benefits
HARMAN is interested in the health and wellbeing of you and your family and offers a range of benefits designed to support your needs for holistic wellbeing. Benefits and perks may vary depending on the nature of your employment with HARMAN, and may include paid vacation and holidays, paid sick leave, volunteer leave, and paid bonding and care giver leave. Employees may also be eligible to participate in comprehensive medical, dental, and vision plans, fertility support and adoption assistance, Health Savings and Flexible Spending Accounts, retirement savings plan with employer match, short and long term disability coverage, life insurance, and more.
You Belong Here
HARMAN is committed to making every employee feel welcomed, valued, and empowered. No matter what role you play, we encourage you to share your ideas, voice your distinct perspective, and bring your whole self with you - all within a support-minded culture that celebrates what makes each of us unique. We also recognize that learning is a lifelong pursuit and want you to flourish. We proudly offer added opportunities for training, development, and continuing education, further empowering you to live the career you want.
About HARMAN: Where Innovation Unleashes Next-Level Technology
Ever since the 1920s, we've been amplifying the sense of sound. Today, that legacy endures, with integrated technology platforms that make the world smarter, safer, and more connected.
Across automotive, lifestyle, and digital transformation solutions, we create innovative technologies that turn ordinary moments into extraordinary experiences. Our renowned automotive and lifestyle solutions can be found everywhere, from the music we play in our cars and homes to venues that feature today's most sought-after performers, while our digital transformation solutions serve humanity by addressing the world's ever-evolving needs and demands. Marketing our award-winning portfolio under 16 iconic brands, such as JBL, Mark Levinson, and Revel, we set ourselves apart by exceeding the highest engineering and design standards for our customers, our partners and each other.
If you're ready to innovate and do work that makes a lasting impact, join our talent community today!
Important Notice: Recruitment Scams
Please be aware that HARMAN recruiters will always communicate with you from an '@harman.com', '@careers.harman.com' or 'harmanglobal.avature.net' email address. We will never ask for payments, banking, credit card, personal financial information or access to your LinkedIn/email account during the screening, interview, or recruitment process. If you are asked for such information or receive communication from an email address not ending in one of the above email domains about a job with HARMAN, please cease communication immediately and report the incident to us through: harmancareers@harman.com.
HARMAN is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer. HARMAN strives to hire the best qualified candidates and is committed to building a workforce representative of the diverse marketplaces and communities of our global colleagues and customers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical conditions), sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, age, status as a protected veteran, status as an individual with a disability, or other applicable legally protected characteristics.HARMAN attracts, hires, and develops employees based on merit, qualifications and job-related performance.(www.harman.com)
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