Global Category Manager - Powder & Atomization

Job Purpose

The Global Category Manager (GCM) – Powder & Atomization owns the sourcing strategy, supplier relationships, and commercial execution for VulcanForms’ metal powder feedstock and atomization supply base — the critical raw materials that feed our additive manufacturing operations. This includes gas- and plasma-atomized metal powders across the alloy portfolio, toll atomization services, and powder-related consumables. Reporting to the VP of Supply Chain, this role partners directly with the Powder & Atomization pillar lead, Materials Engineering, and Quality to secure resilient supply, drive cost performance, and develop supplier capability for a rapidly scaling production environment.

Key Responsibilities

• Own and develop the multi-year category strategy for metal powders (titanium, nickel-based superalloys, stainless and tool steels, aluminum, cobalt-chrome) and atomization services (gas, plasma, and related processes).
• Lead sourcing, negotiation, and contracting for powder producers and toll atomizers, including pricing, minimum order quantities, lead times, capacity commitments, and long-term supply agreements.
• Partner with Materials Engineering and Quality on powder specifications, lot-acceptance criteria (chemistry, particle size distribution, morphology, flowability, density, interstitial content), and supplier qualification.
• Manage the end-to-end procurement lifecycle for powder feedstock — from demand and inventory planning through PO execution, expediting, and delivery confirmation — to ensure uninterrupted supply to production.
• Build and maintain a qualified supplier panel across primary powder producers and toll atomization providers; manage performance against cost, quality, delivery, and lot-consistency KPIs.
• Develop should-cost models and TCO frameworks for powder purchases (including $/kg drivers, alloy surcharges, and reuse economics); provide independent cost benchmarking to Engineering and Finance.
• Identify and mitigate supply risk across critical and single/sole-source alloys; maintain category risk registers and dual-source and inventory mitigation plans.
• Partner with Operations and Quality on powder reuse, reclaim, and recycling strategies to optimize material yield and cost.
• Ensure full material traceability and supplier compliance with applicable quality and federal regulatory requirements, including specialty-metals domestic sourcing where applicable.
• Define and deliver an annual savings and cost-avoidance roadmap for the category; report to VP Supply Chain on pipeline, spend, and supply metrics.
• Scope, onboard, and develop category specialist support as the powder & atomization category team grows.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree required; degree in Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical or Manufacturing Engineering, or Supply Chain preferred.
• 8+ years of progressive procurement or supply chain experience, with at least 4 years managing direct-material, raw-material, or commodity categories at a senior level.
• Demonstrated experience sourcing and contracting for direct or raw materials, including supplier negotiations, qualification, and multi-source supply programs.
• Technical fluency in metal powders, specialty metals, or comparable engineered-material categories, including material specifications and quality/qualification requirements.
• Strong financial acumen including spend analysis, should-cost modeling, and total-cost-of-ownership analysis.
• Proven ability to partner with engineering and quality stakeholders to translate technical requirements into commercial strategies.
• Exceptional negotiation and supplier relationship management skills, including experience managing supplier relationships at senior commercial levels.
• Ability to operate independently and make sound procurement decisions in a fast-moving, technically complex environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in additive manufacturing, powder metallurgy, aerospace, defense, or medical device manufacturing environments.
• Hands-on familiarity with metal powder production (gas or plasma atomization), powder characterization, or specialty-metals supply chains.
• Prior experience managing raw-material or direct-material categories in a regulated environment (AS9100, ISO 9001, NADCAP).
• CPSM, CPM, or equivalent professional certification.
• Experience with ERP systems and procurement tools (Epicor, SAP, or similar).
• Exposure to ITAR/DFARS-regulated supply chains and specialty-metals domestic sourcing requirements.

VulcanForms offers a competitive salary and equity package. Actual compensation is based on factors such as the candidate's skills, qualifications, and experience. In addition, VulcanForms provides comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, vision, and life insurance; generous paid time off; and a 401(k) plan with company match. 

The annual base salary range for this position is $85,783.00 to $117,951.00.