Specialist Category Management

Job Description:

We are seeking a Specialist, Category Management, to join our Maritime Category Management team. The Category Manager – Supplier Performance & Rationalization is responsible for managing a defined set of suppliers within assigned categories, with a strong focus on improving underperforming suppliers and executing rationalization strategies. This role partners closely with cross-functional teams (e.g., Quality, Operations, Procurement) to enhance supplier performance, reduce risk, optimize cost, and rationalize the supplier base where appropriate.

Essential Functions:

• Support the development and execution of category strategies that explicitly address supplier performance improvement and supplier base rationalization.
• Continuously monitor supplier performance using defined KPIs (e.g., OTIF, quality defects, lead times, responsiveness, cost competitiveness).
• Lead or support performance review meetings with poor-performing suppliers to discuss results, root causes, and corrective actions.
• Escalate chronic performance issues to senior management with data-driven recommendations for remediation or exit.
• Prepare business cases for rationalization decisions, including impact on cost, quality, continuity of supply, and internal resources.
• Support or lead negotiations with suppliers to improve commercial terms, service levels, and performance commitments.
• Partner with Quality, Operations & Procurement to capture supplier performance issues and align improvement priorities.
• Utilize procurement and ERP systems, scorecards, and dashboards to track supplier KPIs and rationalization progress.
• Provide regular reports and recommendations to management on supplier performance trends, improvement plans, and rationalization outcomes.
• Identify and implement process improvements to strengthen supplier onboarding, performance monitoring, and exit processes.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in business, Materials Management, Supply Chain, Finance or Engineering with a minimum of 3 years of relevant experience
• Demonstrated management expertise in multiple commodities
• Understanding of Contractual Terms and Conditions and how to mitigate risk
• Project management experience
• Must have experience with MS Excel and PowerPoint for purposes of data analysis and creation of presentations
• Procurement experience in an MRP (ERP) driven manufacturing environment
• Proven negotiation experience
• Understanding and working knowledge of engineering documentation, product configuration
• Strong interpersonal and problem-solving skills

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role is $73,000-135,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.