Sr. Category Buyer

Littelfuse (NASDAQ: LFUS) is a diversified industrial technology manufacturing company shaping solutions for the safe and efficient transfer of electrical energy. Headquartered in Chicago, Illinois, USA, we serve customers across industrial, transportation, and electronics markets worldwide. With approximately 16,000 employees we design and manufacture innovative technologies that support electrification, energy efficiency, and advanced automation. Our global reach is matched by a culture that empowers innovation and long-term growth. Guided by our principles We Care, We Succeed With Our Customers, and We Own the Outcome, we work collaboratively, think boldly, and deliver solutions that move industries forward.

Reporting directly to the Manager II, Procurement, you as a Sr. Category Buyer will be responsible for supporting the strategic management of assigned global procurement categories and ensuring competitive cost, quality, delivery, and service performance across the EII organization. You will support category strategy, sourcing initiatives, supplier management, commercial negotiations, cost reduction, and optimization of the global supplier base.

You will have responsibility for categories such as Stampings, Red Metals, and Machining, supporting materials consumed across EII facilities globally. In this role, you will collaborate closely with Category Managers, Engineering, Supply Chain, and other cross-functional teams, as well as suppliers and global stakeholders, including teams in Asia and India, to drive sourcing strategies, supplier performance, cost competitiveness, and continuous improvement.

About the Job:

• Support the development and execution of category strategies in collaboration with Category Managers and cross-functional teams.
• Manage assigned categories such as Stampings, Red Metals, and Machining, supporting global procurement activities across EII facilities.
• Lead and support sourcing activities, including RFQs, supplier evaluation, sourcing decisions, and commercial negotiations.
• Manage suppliers to ensure competitiveness in cost, quality, delivery, and service, including regular business reviews with strategic suppliers.
• Develop and execute annual cost reduction initiatives, including VeVa projects, Cost of Sales (CoS), negotiations, and other cost improvement opportunities.
• Develop and utilize cost models to support sourcing decisions, supplier negotiations, and cost competitiveness.
• Maintain and optimize the Approved Vendor List (AVL) and support supplier base consolidation, multisourcing, and rebalancing initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to transfer spend and allocation to strategic suppliers while improving overall supply chain competitiveness.
• Partner with Engineering and other cross-functional teams to implement cost-saving projects within established timelines.
• Negotiate commercial terms and payment conditions to ensure competitive agreements and optimize Days Payable Outstanding (DPO).
• Conduct regular business reviews with strategic suppliers and drive corrective actions for suppliers with performance gaps.
• Support supplier development activities and negotiations for other global categories within the assigned region.
• Collaborate and network with Category Managers and procurement teams across different regions to leverage global sourcing opportunities and best practices.
• Monitor supplier and category performance indicators, including productivity, on-time delivery, quality, lead-time reduction, and supplier capacity.
• Perform supplier capacity analysis to support sourcing decisions, risk management, and supply continuity.
• Utilize Excel, PowerPoint, and other business tools to analyze procurement data, develop presentations, and support strategic decision-making.
• Travel as required to support supplier meetings, sourcing activities, and business needs.
• Other duties as assigned.
• Location: Piedras Negras, Coahuila.

About You:

• Bachelor's degree in Business Administration, Supply Chain, Procurement, Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related discipline.
• Experience in Procurement, Strategic Sourcing, Category Management, Purchasing, or Supplier Management within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience managing and developing supplier relationships, including commercial negotiations and supplier performance management.
• Experience with RFQ processes, sourcing strategies, supplier evaluation, and commercial negotiations.
• Strong knowledge of cost analysis and cost modeling to support supplier negotiations and sourcing decisions.
• Experience developing and executing cost reduction and productivity improvement initiatives.
• Experience working with suppliers on cost, quality, delivery, service, and capacity.
• Experience with supplier base optimization, including multisourcing, supplier consolidation, rebalancing, and AVL management.
• Strong project management skills, with the ability to manage multiple sourcing and cost reduction initiatives simultaneously.
• Strong analytical and data-driven decision-making skills, with the ability to identify cost, supplier performance, and sourcing opportunities.
• Strong cross-functional collaboration and interpersonal skills, with the ability to influence and work effectively with Engineering, Supply Chain, Operations, and Procurement teams.
• Strong communication, negotiation, and relationship management skills.
• Proficiency with Excel and PowerPoint.
• Conversational English, with the ability to communicate effectively with global teams and suppliers, including Asia and India.
• Global mindset and ability to work effectively across different cultures, regions, and time zones.
• Self-motivated, results-oriented, and able to work effectively in a fast-paced global procurement environment.
• Ability to support and execute strategic initiatives aligned with business and procurement objectives.
• Experience with Stampings, Red Metals, and/or Machining is a plus.

Littelfuse strives to empower associate growth and development in a culture of ongoing collaboration and respect for diverse global perspectives and expertise. Our Core Values - Customer Focus, Integrity, Innovation, Teamwork, and Results-Driven - support us on our mission to improve the safety, reliability, efficiency, and performance of our customers' products and systems. We are an equal opportunity employer that takes pride in giving every associate the means and courage to make a difference - everywhere, every day.

At Littelfuse, we support employee growth and development. Guided by our culture principles, our teams work together to deliver value for customers and make a positive impact in the communities where we operate. We are an equal opportunity employer committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where everyone has the opportunity to grow and contribute. We offer competitive compensation and benefits, performance-based incentives, flexible work arrangements, and development opportunities.