Category Manager - Electronics Manufacturing Services

Unlock Your Potential at Eaton: Where Diversity Drives Innovation. No matter where you come from, your aspirations matter to us. We believe in the power of different perspectives, experiences, and backgrounds to ignite innovation and drive success. We're in the business of empowering people, and that includes you. Your journey here is not just about a job; it's about a shared vision for a brighter, more sustainable future.

We are seeking a Category Manager to join our Regional Supply Chain Management team.

This position is eligible for a hybrid work arrangement for candidates based in Budapest, Hungary. Candidates based in Romania or Ireland are eligible for a fully remote work arrangement.

Our Supply Chain Management team delivers measurable business value through cost optimization, operational excellence, supply continuity, and risk mitigation. As the Electronics Manufacturing Services EMS Category Manager, you are accountable for developing, deploying, and executing the category strategy for the businesses managed, ensuring alignment with the global category strategy while addressing the specific needs of the businesses under your responsibility and manufacturing sites.

In this role, you will drive optimal cost, commercial, quality, delivery, innovation, supplier capacity allocation and VAVE outcomes across the EMS category by leveraging synergies across divisions, fostering strong stakeholder engagement, and advancing the “One Supply Chain” philosophy. You will also lead supply continuity and component shortage management activities, working cross-functionally with suppliers, plants, engineering, planning, and procurement teams to mitigate risks and minimize business disruption.

In close collaboration with the Direct Material Productivity DMP team in Pune, you will drive Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) initiatives to identify cost reduction opportunities, optimize product designs, and enhance overall value for the business while maintaining quality and performance requirements.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop and deploy business category strategies for assigned spend, ensuring alignment with the global category strategy while partnering with divisional stakeholders and manufacturing plants to support business objectives and operational priorities.
• Optimize the supplier base to improve cost, delivery, and quality performance while meeting category KPI targets.
• Drive sourcing solutions aligned with the category strategy, including best-cost-country sourcing opportunities, in close collaboration with business stakeholder teams.
• Provide category expertise and leadership support for profit planning cycles, including cost-out assumptions, material economics, and annual budget preparation for managed spend.=
• Support new product development initiatives to achieve optimal cost outcomes aligned with short-, medium-, and long-term business strategies.
• Partner with Supplier Development, Quality, and Supplier Quality teams to address supplier quality issues and, where required, lead supplier quality discussions and corrective actions.
• Monitor supplier performance, including PPM and on-time delivery metrics. Initiate and track supplier-led design optimization, Value Analysis/Value Engineering (VA/VE) initiatives, and cost-improvement ideas.
• Work with key suppliers to implement Eaton-negotiated component pricing and ensure the timely realization of resulting cost reductions.
• Develop negotiation, resiliency, capacity allocation, and working capital improvement plans, and drive their timely execution.
• Manage supplier escalations by coordinating with suppliers, Engineering, and cross-functional teams to resolve issues and protect revenue in a timely manner.

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, or a related field.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience in procurement, category management, strategic sourcing, or supply chain management.
• Experience in electronics manufacturing, PCBAs, semiconductors, or electronic components is highly desirable.
• Strong understanding of electronics manufacturing processes and/or electronic components.
• Good understanding of strategic sourcing principles; experience sourcing electronic components or EMS suppliers is an advantage.
• Strong communication and stakeholder management skills.
• Proven ability to operate effectively within a matrix organization.
• Strong negotiation, influencing, and relationship management skills.
• Analytical mindset with the ability to drive cost optimization and value engineering initiatives.
• Ability to collaborate cross-functionally with engineering, operations, quality, and procurement teams.
• Proficient in managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced, global environment.
• Fluent English language skills (written and spoken) are required.

What we offer:

• Competitive compensation and benefits package
• Challenging projects in dynamic collaborative team
• Flexible working solutions
• We make your aspirations matter – Eaton encourages internal promotion, whenever possible
• We make your growth matter - We invest in our employees for the long term – not just with salary and benefits, but with ongoing learning and development opportunities made available through Eaton University
• We make your contributions matter - reliability, safety, efficiency, and sustainability are at the core of our dedication to improving people’s lives and the environment through power management technologies.
• We make your wellbeing matter – We put your health and safety first. Wellness at Eaton is more than a program, it’s about changing the environment by offering the right tools to help empower employees to make that happen.

All positions may require participation in video and in-person interviews as part of the hiring process. All candidates will be evaluated based on job-related competencies, and all candidates’ privacy rights and data security will be protected in accordance with applicable laws.

We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for job applicants and employees. Our recruitment processes use balanced selection criteria and avoid unlawful discrimination against applicants on the basis of their age, colour, disability, marital status, national origin, gender, gender identity, genetic information, race or racial origin, religion, sexual orientation or any other status protected or required by law.

Join Eaton, a global leader where equality and inclusivity are at the heart of our mission. Here, everyone is valued and belongs. Be part of a team that delivers cutting-edge, energy-efficient solutions, making a tangible impact on the world. We empower our customers to manage electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical energy more effectively, safely, and sustainably. At Eaton, we’re dedicated to enhancing quality of life and protecting the environment with our innovative energy management technologies and services.

Our EMEA Business Service Center (BSC) in Budapest is Eaton’s largest office in the region. With a diverse team of over 700 people, representing 40+ nationalities and speaking 20+ languages, the BSC is the central hub for business services. It empowers seamless operations and drives exceptional results across our electrical, industrial, and corporate teams. We are proud to be a Disability Friendly Workplace, ensuring an inclusive environment for all our employees.