As the technology firm that created the mobile world and a rich history of 145 years of building ground-breaking solutions and innovative technologies supported by 60,000+ patents, Ericsson has made it our business to make a mark. When joining our team at Ericsson you are empowered to learn, lead and perform at your best, shaping the future of technology. This is a place where you are welcomed as your own perfectly unique self, and celebrated for the skills, talent, and perspective you bring to the team.
Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions (BEWS) is the group responsible for leading Ericsson’s Enterprise Networking and Security business. Our growing product portfolio spans across wide area networks, local area networks and enterprise security. We are the #1 global market leader in Wireless-WAN based enterprise connectivity solutions and are growing fast in enterprise Private 5G networks and Secure Access Services Edge (SASE) solutions.
How Will You Contribute to the Company?
Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions is looking for a Senior Strategic Category Manager to be responsible for managing strategic component suppliers, finished good suppliers, and other R&D direct spend suppliers. This role will be responsible for managing costs, contracts, relationships, and roadmaps for assigned ODM/JDM/CM’s, electronic/electro-mechanical/mechanical categories, and/or R&D direct spend categories, such as regulatory, embedded product SW, etc. In this role, the individual will lead sourcing and selection activities in partnership with our R&D team. It will be critical for the individual in this role to develop close collaboration with Hardware Engineering, Software Engineering, Program Management, Technical Operations, and other cross-functional teams. This role requires a proactive individual who can think strategically and drive value through sourcing activities based on the overall company goals and strategy. During the product development process, you are responsible for identifying key technologies and partners as well as negotiating agreements. It is the Senior Strategic Category Manager’s primary objective to ensure suppliers meet or exceed commercial and technical requirements throughout the life cycle of the product(s).
What Will You Do?
Cost
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Negotiate and manage the cost of strategic SKUs, components, and R&D technical solutions as determined by Strategic Sourcing and R&D
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Develop negotiation scripts and proposals
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Study cost trends and latest events that may impact cost of assigned categories and prepare strategies to mitigate and manage
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Project manage Value Analysis/Value Engineering projects in partnership with R&D and Procurement Engineering
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Build savings pipelines and strategies to support ongoing cost reduction and margin improvement
Contracts
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Negotiate Master Agreements, Pricing Agreements, Statements of Work, and/or other agreements as needed with strategic suppliers
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Manage supplier performance according to mutually agreed contracts. Enable and train cross-functional stakeholders how to leverage the contract in their spheres of responsibility
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Develop supplier contract strategies that optimize commercial value while mitigating liability and downside
Relationships
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Lead preparation for supplier business reviews with strategic suppliers
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Develop strong, mutually beneficial relationships with suppliers in assigned categories. Hold suppliers accountable to commitments and agreements
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Provide transparent and helpful feedback to suppliers in assigned categories to progress the strategic relationship and create leverage
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Partner with product teams to successfully transition from Engineering prototyping to design validation, and into mass production
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Create leverage with suppliers where leverage may not naturally exist
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Proactively build and manage relationships with cross-functional stakeholders working in a remote environment
Roadmaps
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Develop strategic roadmaps for suppliers in assigned categories that include cost trends and management, key relationship maps, risk management (i.e. cost, people, continuity of supply, quality, etc.), spend analysis, etc.
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Partner with R&D to align strategic supplier roadmaps with product roadmaps to ensure supplier selection keeps or exceeds pace with technology and product roadmaps
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Proactively develop category strategies with key stakeholders that drive innovation, commercial leverage, and technical support
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Manage the life cycle of key components and solutions, including EOL plans from the OEM, last-time-buy decisions in partnership with Inventory Planning, and longevity strategies for new product development
New Product Introduction
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Partner with R&D on New Product Development to identify technically and commercially strategic components, solutions, and suppliers to meet our product objectives
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Manage component supplier performance through the NPI process and leverage supplier performance to improve commercials and behavior
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Ensure key suppliers are through our Company contract and TPM process, as needed
Qualifications
Minimum Qualifications:
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Seven to ten (7-10) years of experience in a sourcing, procurement, supply chain, product development, and/or project management role, within the electronic manufacturing industry
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Supply chain experience managing cross functional teams and projects (i.e. alternative component qualification, cost reduction, etc.) in an electronics product company
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Familiarity with world-class sourcing methods and tools
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Knowledge of and experience with New Product Development in manufacturing (CM, OEM, ODM, or JDM)
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Experience negotiating supplier agreements (i.e. Pricing Agreements, Master Agreements, Statement of Work, etc.)
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Experience sourcing R&D software solutions that are embedded into products sold to customers
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Ability to be innovative in issues related to strategic sourcing, vendor relations, quality assurance and the associated measurement systems
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Strong analytical skills (i.e. cost modeling, quotation analysis, supplier selection)
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High level of accountability, ownership, and ability to work with minimal supervision and guidance
Preferred Qualifications:
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Bachelor's degree in Business, Operations, Supply Chain Management, Engineering
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Fluent in Mandarin language
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Technical experience or education (i.e. mechanical or electrical engineering)
Why Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions?
At Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions, we are one team - all in on inclusion. Celebrating the uniqueness of our individual team members across the globe helps us build diverse teams where we all can thrive. Our connected, community-focused culture enables each one of us to perform at our best and fully be ourselves.
Our values drive everything we do:
- Respect: we don't point a finger; we lend a hand.
- Integrity: we do the right thing, even when it is hard; we make fact-based decisions.
- Perseverance: we accept and embrace change; we have a passion to win!
- Professionalism: we hold each other accountable.
We are creating the future of global connectivity and community. Come join us. You belong here.
Compensation & Benefits at Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions
At Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions, we know that our people are the key to our success. We offer a competitive compensation and benefits package to help with your individual needs and goals.
Your Pay:
The salary range for this position is listed below. The actual salary offered is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, the candidate’s combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience.
$103,950.00 - $193,050.00
Your pay also includes the opportunity for an annual bonus. This variable pay opportunity is dependent upon the attainment of agreed to goals and objectives as determined by our Senior Leadership team. Certain eligibility and pro-ration rules apply.
Your Health:
Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions offers excellent, competitive employee benefits, such as: subsidized, nationwide PPO medical benefit options including a low-deductible Point of Service Plan and a qualifying High Deductible Health Plan (HDHP), with a generous company-provided HSA contribution. For California employees, we offer a subsidized HMO option through Kaiser. Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions also offers subsidized dental and vision coverage.
Your Financial Security:
Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions invests in both your short and long-term financial wellbeing. Our 401(k) plan has a 4% company match and immediate vesting. Employees will also receive company-paid employee basic life and AD&D insurance and company-paid disability benefits.
Your Time:
Your work-life balance is important to us. Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions provides generous paid time off, including: 15 days of Flexible Time Off (FTO), four paid quarterly well-being days, and 11 paid annual holidays (includes nine company holidays and up to two floating holidays). Please note that an employee’s FTO balance and floating holidays may be prorated in the first year, based on start date. We also offer paid maternity-leave benefits and six weeks 100% paid family leave for all employees.
Additional Benefits:
Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions offers other company-paid benefits such as a comprehensive Employee Assistance Program, Talkspace mobile therapy, and volunteer paid time off.
Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions’ Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging mission is to create an inclusive work environment where all employees’ differences are celebrated, their thoughts matter, and everyone feels safe to bring their authentic selves to work. We’re proud to be an equal opportunity employer and aim to attract, develop, and engage top talent from a diverse candidate pool. It is our policy and commitment to provide equal opportunity employment for all persons and not discriminate in employment decisions by placing the most qualified person in each job, without regard to any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.
Please note: Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions does not accept agency resumes and is not responsible for any fees related to unsolicited resumes. Please do not forward resumes to Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions employees.
The deadline to apply to this role is listed below.
11 / 15 / 2024
Note: this date may be updated based on any extensions to the job posting.
What We Do
Cradlepoint, part of Ericsson was born in Boise and built for wireless. We are a team of authentic, hard-working, and innovative people driven by a shared vision to Connect Beyond the limits of wired networks. We help customers utilize 4G and 5G cellular technology to connect people, places, and things — anywhere.
Why Work With Us
At Cradlepoint, part of Ericsson, our global leadership in cellular networking is defined by our people and culture. Join our community of innovators, where collaboration, diversity, and empowerment drive positive change in connectivity and beyond.
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