Category Specialist

The category manager at Sun King will be responsible for sourcing, negotiating, and managing suppliers and the supply chain for the JDM/ODM products of stoves, regulators, sensors and the solar home system components such as PCB, PCBA, cables, connectors, and associated auxiliary parts. Your mandate will be to drive sustainable business growth by building resilient, cost-competitive, and quality-assured supply ecosystems that align with Sun King’s mission of expanding access to affordable clean energy.

Key Responsibilities

• Supplier Development & Management
• Support new product introduction from a sourcing perspective.
• Identify, evaluate, and negotiate with suppliers for the finished goods of stoves, regulators, sensors and the solar home system components such as PCB, PCBA, cables, connectors, and associated auxiliary parts.
• Maintain a high-quality supplier database and conduct quarterly performance reviews (quality, delivery, cost, etc.).
• Procurement Strategy & Execution
• Develop sourcing plans and cost control strategies for projects (e.g., clean cooking products, solar powered devices).
• Lead sourcing, price negotiation, and contract discussions, clarifying technical specifications, delivery schedules, and acceptance criteria.
• Cost Optimization & Risk Management
• Identify cost reduction, localization, and supplier consolidation opportunities.
• Reduce procurement costs through competitive pricing, bulk purchasing, and supply chain optimization.
• Monitor market price fluctuations, technology developments and implement risk mitigation strategies.
• Cross-Departmental Collaboration
• Coordinate with R&D, Project, Quality, Ops and Finance etc. teams to ensure material specifications align with project requirements.
• Resolve quality disputes and delivery delays.
• Compliance & Process Management
• Ensure sourcing processes comply with industry standards (e.g., photovoltaic component certifications, RoHS for electronic components).
• Maintain accurate contract and documentation records.

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Supply Chain Management, Electrical Engineering, Renewable Energy, or International Trade.
• 8+ years of procurement experience, with 5+ years in electronics sourcing or procurement.
• Should possess a specialized market knowledge and a strong vendor network, including reliable suppliers and manufacturing partners, to ensure fast and dependable procurement execution.
• Proficient in OEM/JDM/ODM models and PCB, PCBA and connectors sourcing.
• Skilled in procurement software (e.g., ERP systems) and data analysis tools.
• Strong vendor management, negotiation skills and market insight to anticipate price trends and manage supply chain risks.
• Integrity, high-pressure tolerance and cross-cultural communication abilities.
• English proficiency (CET-4 or higher), with experience in international procurement or cross-border negotiations.