The work we do everday matters. From modernizing teh grid and ensuring safe, reliable water delivery to creating smarter cities, you can make an impact with itron.itron's global operations organziation is looking for a *global category manager* to manage our commercial electronic manufacturing services (ems) supply chain definition and implementation across business lines (supplier panel, sourcing strategy, preferred supplier management, key negotiations for software licensing engagements, sdks, services deployment, professional business services, etc.).*job duties & responsibilities*:- consolidate supplier key figures (turnover, market share, customer base, quality, cost and delivery kpis).- define the category strategy and the deployment roadmap, ensuring that they are in line with overall business objectives & monitor its execution.- perform supplier evaluation for the key suppliers of the categories managed.- analyze and monitor supplier risk (financial, quality, technology, dependency and logistics).- set-up long-term agreements with preferred suppliers in accordance with the defined category strategy.- validate suppliers bid list and sourcing strategy for each component of a defined project.- validate the supplier selection for a defined component and project in sourcing committee.- lead categories request for quotation (rfq) process.- identify cost reduction opportunities - via alternative designs, suppliers negotiation, resourcing - and track implementation.- negotiate periodic cost reduction plan with the key suppliers of the ems managed.- drive continuous improvement within the supplier base in terms of cost, quality, delivery, service, flexibility and working capital.- monitor key suppliers performance (financial, quality, cost, delivery and services).- monitor and report on standard kpis inside the purchasing organization.- deploy purchasing vision, mission, strategy, policy and manage the purchasing network on the categories managed.*experience*:this position requires a minimum of 6+ years of related experience*education*: bachelor's degree in related field or equivalent experience required; mba highly preferred.*travel*: 30 - 50%*physical demands*:this is a typical office job, with no special physical requirements or unusual work environment.li-lg1