Category Manager

Epirus designs and builds cutting-edge, high-powered microwave (HPM) systems that have the ability to transform industries. With a successful foothold in the defense industry, where we invented directed energy weapon systems that surpass current capabilities, we’re creating new possibilities for intelligently driven power products in commercial markets. 

Job objective

This is an exciting role in a growing company. The ideal candidate for the position is someone who is a skilled negotiator, has a strong strategic supplier vision, and has experience setting supplier strategies for long-term success.  You will be responsible for source selection from proposal to execution phases, including negotiating strong positions for Epirus and building and maintaining strong supplier relationships.  You will work with engineering to develop specifications, work statements, and terms and conditions for the procurement of specialized materials, equipment, and/or services by preparing bid packages, ensuring competition, negotiating key provisions, select suppliers, and executing the award. 

Duties  

• Act as the sourcing and supplier expert in the mechanicals space (specifically custom Epirus designs & metal fabrication), but able to flex into multiple areas. 
• Negotiate strong pricing, terms & schedules with suppliers for development and production programs. 
• Manage the overall sourcing and procurement activities from development through production and final contract close out, including managing and avoiding cost & schedule scope creep. 
• Ensure the supply base has appropriate manufacturing capacity and quality yield to enable aggressive ramp up of production.   
• Manages the spend and supplier spend distribution for assigned mechanical commodities, including adding new suppliers as required.   
• Visit supplier’s facilities and accurately assess technical capability, equipment, and capacity for rapid deployment of new product development and long term production. 
• Manage strategic aspects of supplier relationship by ensuring suppliers are set up for success and be the escalation path for buyers. 
• Conduct comprehensive supplier analysis to inform ‘Make vs. Buy’ decisions, down select an optimal sourcing plan taking short term NPI requirements and long term production rates, technology replacement, price trend, market and industry position, and risk assessments into account 

Required Qualifications 

• BS degree in Supply Chain, Business, or related field 
• 8+ years of subcontract, commodity or supplier management experience 
• Understanding of supplier risk identification, mitigation and contingency planning 
• Excellence in negotiation of price and terms and conditions 
• Experience in awarding and managing supplier owned IP products or products designed from a statement of work 
• Experience managing a program and working with cross-functional teams 
• US Citizen and/or Permanent Resident (future security clearance may be required) 

Desired Qualifications 

• Aerospace/Defense experience and/or military experience 
• Experience working with FAR/DFAR Experience in Earned Value Management or related financial management experience 
• Component electronics manufacturing experience 
• Good written and oral communication skills 
• Collaborative; capable of working across all levels of the organization 
• Organized; comfortable working in a fast-paced, ever-changing environment 

At Epirus, we strive to be fast, efficient, and limitless in our approach. This agility, combined with a culture of innovation in systems development, allows us to move quickly without losing the decades of lessons learned.  We have developed technologies that leverage new breakthroughs in sensors and high-power microwaves, combined with computer vision and advanced software control. Our first broad-market application is a comprehensive defense system to defeat offensive drones at scale.