Category Manager – Electronics & EMS

As Category Manager - Electronics & EMS at Cambridge Aerospace, you will provide strategic category leadership across electronic components, semiconductors, PCB and PCBA manufacture, Electronic Manufacturing Services and associated supply chains.

Reporting to the Director of Supply Chain & Procurement, you will combine deep electronics-category knowledge with commercial leadership, working confidently with Electronics, Manufacturing and Quality Engineers on BOMs, component specifications, lifecycle, manufacturability, test requirements and supplier capability. You will manage and develop Senior Buyers within the category and build a resilient, scalable and high-performing electronics supply base for development and production programmes.

The role supports multiple company sites, and some business travel will be required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and implement category strategies for electronic components, semiconductors, bare PCBs, PCBAs, EMS, cable and electronic sub-assembly requirements within the assigned portfolio.
• Manage, coach and develop Senior Buyers within the category, setting clear priorities, allocating work, reviewing performance and building technical and commercial capability.
• Partner with Electronics Engineering, Manufacturing, Quality and Programme teams from early design and prototype builds through industrialisation and production.
• Act as Procurement's category expert, engaging credibly on BOMs, manufacturer part numbers, component specifications, lifecycle status, alternates, PCBA manufacturability, test requirements and supplier capability.
• Lead market engagement, supplier identification, RFQs, competitive tenders, evaluation, negotiation, recommendation and contract or purchase-order placement for complex electronics requirements.
• Develop strategic relationships with component manufacturers, authorised distributors, PCB suppliers and EMS partners.
• Assess suppliers for technical capability, quality systems, traceability, capacity, scalability, financial resilience, delivery performance and supply-chain risk.
• Lead mitigation of allocation, long-lead-time, single-source, end-of-life, obsolescence and counterfeit-component risks, with technical approval retained by Engineering.
• Negotiate component and PCBA pricing, lead times, payment terms, tooling and NRE, minimum order quantities, buffer stock, capacity commitments and longer-term supply agreements.
• Work with Engineering and suppliers on component availability, cost reduction, value engineering, DFM/DFT and production-readiness opportunities.
• Lead commercial resolution of complex quality, delivery, capacity and technical issues, coordinating specialist support as required.
• Monitor category spend, market conditions, supplier performance and risk, providing concise reporting and escalation to the Director of Supply Chain & Procurement.
• Ensure sourcing and supplier management follow company procurement, approval, onboarding, contract-governance, quality and regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• Substantial relevant experience, typically 8+ years, in electronics procurement, category management or supplier management within aerospace, defence, automotive, telecommunications, industrial electronics or another technically demanding environment.
• Deep practical knowledge of electronic components, semiconductors, PCB and PCBA manufacture and EMS supply chains.
• Ability to interpret and discuss electronic BOMs, manufacturer part numbers, component specifications, lifecycle status, approved alternates, manufacturing constraints and test requirements with experienced Engineers and suppliers.
• Strong understanding of authorised distribution, component traceability, allocation, lead-time, obsolescence, end-of-life and counterfeit-component risks.
• Proven strategic sourcing, negotiation, cost analysis and supplier-development capability across technically complex direct categories.
• Proven people-management experience, including objective setting, workload prioritisation, coaching, performance management and development of Buyers or Senior Buyers.
• Strong commercial judgement and the ability to balance technical performance, cost, quality, availability, capacity and supply risk.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills, with confidence constructively challenging internal stakeholders and suppliers.
• Right to work in the UK and ability to meet any role-related screening or security requirements.

Preferred Qualifications/Experience

• Experience in aerospace, defence or another AS9100-regulated electronics environment.
• Experience managing strategic EMS or PCBA supplier relationships and supporting new-product introduction and production ramp-up.
• Experience working with major semiconductor manufacturers and authorised distributors.
• Knowledge of component lifecycle and obsolescence-management methods and tools.
• Familiarity with IPC standards, electronic component traceability and regulated manufacturing controls.
• CIPS qualification, electronics or engineering qualification, or equivalent demonstrable professional experience.

What We Offer

• Competitive compensation and stock options
• Private Medical & Dental
• Cycle to work scheme
• Lunchtime catering on site

About Us

The mission of Cambridge Aerospace is to eliminate the risk of existential war in Europe. That risk comes from the air - low-cost drones and cruise missiles now manufactured in colossal volumes by our adversaries, ballistic missiles capable of ending the world as we know it, and a new generation of hypersonic weapons that evade every existing defence.

We are building low-cost interceptors that defeat these threats, and the surveillance systems to detect and target them - at a cost taxpayers can afford, at the pace the threat demands, and with sovereign supply chains that assure delivery.

We have immense backing from the world's best venture funds. We are one of the fastest growing defence technology companies in history. And we are hiring the best people to prosecute the mission.

If you are in the top 1%, willing to work harder than you ever have, build capability better than anyone else, and contribute to the defining challenge of our time, now is the time to join us.

Our Commitment to Inclusion

We are committed to building a diverse and inclusive workplace. If you are excited about this role but do not meet every requirement, we still encourage you to apply.