Senior Manager, Category Management (Tier 2 & Tier 3)

What we need 

Symbotic is seeking a Senior Manager, Category Management to own the strategy, performance, and scalability of our Tier 2 and Tier 3 robotics component & sub assembly and repair suppliers. This individual will lead sourcing initiatives for critical component categories, drive supplier optimization, and partner cross-functionally to enable innovation and operational excellence. 

What we do   

Our global sourcing, procurement and third-party supplier team develop innovative category management strategies in collaboration with the business. The team focuses on strategic third-party partner agreements and helps support supplier relationship management, commercial and financial pricing models for overall supplier performance.  

What you’ll do 

• Develop and execute end-to-end category strategies for Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers across mechanical, electrical, and OEM components. Develop and manage strategy for repair spend. 

• Lead dual-sourcing and risk mitigation strategies to ensure supply resilience, cost competitiveness, and scalability. 

• Drive total cost of ownership (TCO) improvements through supplier consolidation, commercial negotiations, and value engineering. 

• Collaborate with Engineering, Supplier Quality, and External Manufacturing to align sourcing decisions with product roadmaps and NPI timelines. 

• Lead RFx activities, supplier selection, and contract negotiations, ensuring compliance with company standards and industry best practices. 

• Monitor supplier performance using KPIs, SLAs, and continuous improvement metrics; proactively manage quality and delivery risks. 

• Influence resource planning and internal investment cases by articulating sourcing trade-offs, risks, and ROI. 

• Serve as a strategic advisor and subject matter expert for internal stakeholders on supplier market trends, cost drivers, and sourcing strategies.  

• Develop business cases to secure project approval, ensure effective resource allocation, and drive organizational change through proactive change management. 

What you’ll need 

• Bachelor's degree required; Engineering (Mechanical, Industrial, Manufacturing) or Business preferred. MBA is a plus. 

• Minimum 10 years in strategic sourcing, category management, or supply chain leadership roles, with deep experience in Tier 2/Tier 3 supplier strategy. 

• Proven success sourcing complex engineered components within robotics, automation, or industrial tech environments. 

• Strong commercial acumen, negotiation experience, and data-driven decision-making skills. 

• Program management skills to execute projects from end to end. 

• Advanced Excel and PowerPoint skills; Power BI, Tableau, or similar visualization tools a strong plus. 

• Strong relationship-building skills with cross-functional partners including Engineering, Quality, and Finance. 

Our Environment 

• Up to 25% of travel may be required. Employees must have a valid driver’s license and the ability to drive and/or fly to client and other customer locations.  

• The employee is responsible for owning a credit card and managing expenses personally to be reimbursed on a bi-weekly basis.