Senior Global Category Manager - Tooling, Machinery & Equipment (M&E)

Position Summary:

This position will be responsible for developing and executing global sourcing strategies for tooling, machinery and equipment (M&E) and associated services. This role requires expertise in supplier scouting, qualification and performance, ensuring optimal cost, quality, and supply chain resilience. This position plays a critical role in supporting capital expenditure (Capex) planning and execution in alignment with operational and financial targets.

Key Responsibilities

Category Strategy & Execution

• Develop and implement a multi-year global sourcing strategy for capital machinery, equipment, and tooling ensuring optimal acquisition, performance, and lifecycle management while driving cost efficiency, operational reliability, and technological innovation
• Lead category segmentation, spend analysis, market intelligence, and benchmarking activities.
• Lead initiatives focused on cost efficiency through tooling consolidation, equipment value analysis and strategic sourcing decisions including make-versus-buy assessments

Supplier Management & Development

• Identify, evaluate, and onboard global and regional suppliers and lead supplier performance management
• Conduct supplier risk assessments, establish dual sourcing strategies, and develop contingency plans
• Build and maintain strong relationships with suppliers to ensure world-class quality, cost efficiency, delivery reliability, and innovation

Sourcing & Contracting

• Collaborate with Plant and regional procurement team to manage end-to-end sourcing activities including RFPs, RFQs, and total cost analysis.
• Negotiate contracts for capital equipment and tooling, including payment terms, warranty clauses, service agreements, and asset ownership rights.
• Stay ahead of market trends, emerging technologies, and geopolitical impacts on tooling and M&E supply chains to develop resilient strategies for supply continuity
• Ensure compliance with internal policies and external regulatory requirements (e.g., export controls, local content laws).

Stakeholder Collaboration

• Partner with engineering, plant operations, CAPEX project managers, and maintenance teams to define specifications, uptime requirement and lifecycle optimization for capital assets and sourcing plans.
• Serve as the sourcing lead for new plant setups, production line expansions, or tooling transfers.
• Act as a trusted leader to executive and regional leadership on capital equipment planning and procurement.

Process & Digitalization

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives in procurement processes for capital assets, including e-sourcing, contract lifecycle management, and supplier portals.
• Support digital transformation efforts to increase visibility and traceability of equipment and tooling assets.

Budgeting & Reporting

• Track and report savings performance, supplier scorecards, and risk exposure.
• Support capital expenditure (Capex) planning and execution, ensuring alignment with operational and financial targets

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in supply chain management, engineering, business, or a related field
• 7+ years of experience in global sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management, specifically for tooling, machinery, and equipment (M&E)
• Experience of planning, leading, and managing global projects
• Proven ability to drive high levels of engagement and empower cross-functional, multi-disciplinary teams
• Strong communication and relationship-management skills, fostering collaboration with global and regional suppliers as well as internal leadership
• Familiarity with Global Tooling Standards & Systems, Mold Flow Analysis Interpretation and tool life optimization
• Extensive knowledge of global supplier networks, with the ability to leverage key industry relationships for sourcing excellence
• Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills, utilizing a data-driven approach to optimize strategies and mitigate risks
• Willingness to travel domestically and internationally (up to 25%)

Work Environment:

The work environment characteristics described here are representative of those an employee encounters while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. The employee must occasionally lift and/or move up to 25 pounds. Frequent hand motion and repetitive tasks including using a computer for typing. While performing the duties of this job, the employee will occasionally do immediate reaching and overhead reaching to perform various duties, frequent standing for varied amounts of time to perform various duties, frequent walking for varied amounts of time to perform various duties. Squat or bend to perform various duties. Occasionally climb stairs.

Benefits and Perks

Methode offers US employees Medical, Dental, Vision, Hearing, Life & Disability insurance, a wellness program, and time off benefits.

Voluntary benefit plans include Accident, Hospital Indemnity and Pet Insurance.

Methode provides an Employee Assistance Program, and participation in the Company's 401(k) plan which includes a company contribution.

Base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Hourly employees will also be paid overtime pay when working qualifying overtime hours.

Methode Electronics is an equal opportunity employer. We evaluate qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status, genetic information and other legally protected characteristics per the EEO Poster available here . If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to recruiting@methode.com or call (708) 867-6777 and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.