About the role
AI summarisedThe Director of Category Management - Mechanics at ASM leads global sourcing strategy for mechanical components and systems, driving cost reduction, quality improvement, and supply chain resilience. This role combines technical leadership in supplier innovation and new product introduction with team development and cross-functional stakeholder management. The ideal candidate has deep expertise in precision manufacturing, materials science, and global supply chain operations within high-complexity industries like semiconductor or aerospace.
EquipmentOnsite
Key Responsibilities
- Establish a 'Zero-Defect' quality culture with key suppliers, driving toward Six Sigma levels and achieving a >95% OTD for complex, long-lead items
- Continually evaluate new suppliers that can vertically integrate and scale with ASM
- Uplevel the commercial relationships with key partners through Supplier Relationship Management programs that help to deliver long-term value for ASM
- Champion early supplier involvement in New Product Introduction (NPI), thereby significantly reducing time-to-market
- Engage engineering and suppliers on technical level discussions on design and opportunities to improve yield, quality and costs
- Build, coach, and develop a high-performing, global sourcing team
- Foster a culture of excellence and data-driven decision-making, leveraging tools like SAP S/4HANA, Power BI and other analytics tools
- Achieve high team retention rate through active mentorship and development planning
- Influence and manage internal stakeholders such as manufacturing, quality, purchasing, planning, business units and finance
Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in supply chain, engineering, materials science or equivalent degree
- Minimum of 15 years of progressive strategic sourcing, procurement, or engineering experience in a high-mix, low-volume / high-complexity manufacturing environment (e.g., semiconductor, aerospace, medical devices)
- Proven track record in managing complex global supply chains and categories such as mechanical systems, advanced materials, contract manufacturing, or electrical categories
- Strong commercial acumen, negotiation skills, and experience managing suppliers across globally
- Demonstrated leadership in driving sourcing transformation and building high-performing teams
- Ability to thrive in a fast-paced, technology-driven industry with demanding supply chain challenges
- Experience using SAP/S4 Hana preferred
- Expertise in managing a global network of suppliers for complex machine components, sheet metal, frames, plastics and special processes
- Understanding of precision manufacturing, tolerances, design standards, raw materials properties, surface cleaning and treatment, and material science for ultra-high vacuum and plasma environments
- Excellent written and verbal Communication skills. Can clearly and succinctly articulate clear strategies and action plans
- Able to deliver dynamic presentations to share information, drive alignment, update and influence to various levels of audiences
- Strategic Visionary: You anticipate technological shifts and build supply chains to capitalize on them
- Influential Leader: You build trust and exert influence at the highest levels, both internally and with supplier executive teams
- Relentless Problem-Solver: You thrive on solving problems that have no existing solution
- Business Acumen: You seamlessly translate a technical challenge into its financial and strategic implications for ASM
- Proactive, entrepreneurial mindset with continuous improvement orientation