New

Strategic Category Manager

Ericsson
paid time off, sick time, 401(k)
United States, Texas, Plano
Oct 23, 2025
Join our Team About this opportunity: Job Locations: Plano, TX or Boise, ID. This is a hybrid role with an expectation to work onsite three (3) days per week in either Plano, Texas or Boise, Idaho. Ericsson Enterprise Wireless Solutions Inc. does not sponsor U.S. work authorizations for this role, including H-1B, O-1, or TN visas, and does not hire F-1 candidates on EAD for this position. In this role, you will support strategic sourcing initiatives for major categories of spend, with a focus on joint design manufacturing (JDM), networking equipment (endpoints and routers), high-tech material/component suppliers, and logistics partners. You will develop category strategies with business cases to drive cost competitiveness, assess make vs. buy decisions, mitigate geopolitical risks, help and ensure product quality and supplier performance through fact-based negotiations and structured sourcing processes. This position partners closely with cross-functional stakeholders to execute sourcing strategies that support product, supply chain, and financial objectives. What will you do Ensure that global sourcing strategies and supplier selections are aligned to business and operational objectives. Cultivate and manage strategic supplier relationships to drive on-time delivery, quality, cost performance, inventory optimization, and lead-time improvements. Leverage global markets, benchmarking, and total-cost-of-ownership analysis to build and sustain a competitive supplier base. Continuously monitor supplier and industry landscape shifts and incorporate those insights into sourcing plans and recommendations. Execute fact-based negotiations and performance-based contracting to protect commercial, legal, and operational interests. Analyze the supply base, category economics, pricing/market trends, risk factors, and internal stakeholder requirements to determine the optimal sourcing strategy. Develop and implement category/commodity strategies across relevant suppliers, products, services, and regions. Lead and execute RFx processes (RFI, RFP, RFQ) from strategy development through supplier evaluation and award recommendation. Build and maintain strong cross-functional partnerships to ensure alignment of sourcing strategy with business roadmaps. Support strategic supply chain initiatives focused on resiliency, sustainability, agility, and cost competitiveness. Proactively collaborate with Finance, Supply Chain, Quality, R&D, Legal, and Operations to drive Sourcing outcomes that meet business objectives. The skills you need A bachelor degree or equivalent qualification, 5-10 years of experience on: Strategic Sourcing & Category Leadership Extensive global strategic sourcing experience across multiple geographies and business entities Demonstrated success developing and executing category strategies aligned to business and market dynamics Strong track record in contract definition, terms & conditions negotiation, and supplier risk/compliance management Skilled in building business cases for make vs. buy decisions and long-range sourcing roadmaps Commercial & Financial Acumen Fluency managing multimillion-dollar contracts of strategic and financial importance Cost efficiency and savings driven, with a proven history of achieving measurable results Strong analytical capabilities across multiple complex financial and operational models Supplier & Stakeholder Management Strong relationship manager across manufacturers, vendors, CM/JDM/ODM partners, and cross-functional business leaders Subject matter expert in supplier performance management frameworks (KPIs, QBRs, SRM tools, SLAs, corrective actions, etc.) Strategic thinker in sourcing and contract manufacturing ecosystem management Operational Scale & Leadership Proven ability to scale sourcing organizations globally through process discipline and transformation Experience navigating multinational operations and entity structures Effective senior leadership influencer and working on high-performing teams Strong change management capability in complex or fast-paced environments Bonus Points Supplier or supply chain management experience in high-volume enterprise or consumer electronics Existing relationships with high-tech component suppliers and contract manufacturers Six Sigma, Lean Agile, CSCP or CPIM certification Why join Ericsson? At Ericsson, youll have an outstanding opportunity. The chance to use your skills and imagination to push the boundaries of whats possible. To build solutions never seen before to some of the world's toughest problems. Youll be challenged, but you won't be alone. Youll be joining a team of diverse innovators, all driven to go beyond the status quo to craft what comes next. What happens once you apply? Click Here to find all you need to know about what our typical hiring process looks like. Ericsson uses a merit-based hiring approach that values people with different experiences, perspectives and skillsets. We truly believe this approach drives innovation, which is essential for our future growth. We encourage people from all backgrounds to apply and realize their full potential as part of our Ericsson team. Ericsson is proud to be an Equal Opportunity employer, learn more. If you need assistance or to request an accommodation due to a disability, please contact Ericsson at hr.direct.americas@ericsson.com. DISCLAIMER: The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees in this position. They are not an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required for this position, and you may be required to perform additional job tasks as assigned. Primary country and city: United States (US) \|\| Plano Job details: Sourcing Category Manager Compensation and Benefits at Ericsson At Ericsson, we know that our people are the key to our success. We offer a competitive package to help with your individual needs and goals. Your Pay The salary range for this position is dependent on various factors including, but not limited to, location, and the candidate's combination of job-related knowledge, qualifications, skills, education, training, and experience. Short-Term Variable Compensation Plan:Your pay also includes the opportunity for an annual bonus. Actual bonus payouts are based on performance of the business against the unit's objectives, individual performance, and the individual bonus target. 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 We invest 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. New employees are provided a minimum of 15 days of accrued vacation, up to 3 personal days per year, 11 annual holidays, 8 hours of volunteer time, and 80 hours of sick time annually. Please note paid time off is pro-rated based on the employee's start date. Furthermore, Ericsson provides up to 16 weeks of paid maternity leave and 6 weeks of parental or adoption leave at 100% of pay. 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.