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Lead, Category Management

Multiple Locations
Full Time On-site

L3Harris’ is seeking a Category Lead to join our Space and Mission Systems Category Management Team. The Category Lead is responsible for developing and executing multi-year category strategies that optimize cost, quality, service, supply continuity, and compliance across assigned commodities. This role serves as the category subject matter expert for Electronic Components, leading sourcing strategy development, supplier performance, and risk mitigation while partnering cross-functionally to support business objectives, technical requirements, and product roadmaps.

Essential Functions: 

  • Develop and execute multi-year category strategies focusing on semiconductors, passive components, connectors, electromechanical devices, and other electronic commodities to drive cost reduction, supply continuity, risk mitigation, and compliance.
  • Serve as the category SME, partnering with internal stakeholders to align sourcing strategies with business objectives, technical requirements, and product roadmaps.
  • Monitor market conditions, supplier capabilities, geopolitical risks, trade regulations, and emerging technologies to inform category strategy and sourcing decisions.
  • Lead supplier diversification, strategic negotiations, and long-term agreements to strengthen supply resilience and maximize enterprise value.
  • Influence cross-functional teams and suppliers to drive design to value ideation, joint process improvement, and enhanced innovation
  • Develop market insights through research and data, industry developments, supply/demand dynamics, emerging technologies, leading-edge practices
  • Drive supplier risk management, traceability, and due diligence to ensure compliance with sourcing restrictions, import/export controls, and regulatory requirements.
  • Manage strategic supplier relationships, performance reviews, and escalations to improve accountability, quality, service, and delivery.
  • Partner cross-functionally with engineering, R&D, quality, legal, and operations to support innovation, NPI execution, and overall category performance.
  • Assess supplier and platform risks, develop the appropriate contingency plans, and drive inclusion into overall decision-making process


Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s Degree and minimum 9 years of prior relevant experience. Graduate Degree and a minimum of 7 years of prior related experience. In lieu of a degree, minimum of 13 years of prior related experience.
  • Experience with Category Management and Strategic Sourcing processes
  • Experience working with forecast, demand planning, and supplier capacity alignment processes

Preferred Additional Skills:

  • Experience in Aerospace & Defense (A&D) industry preferred with specific FAR/DFAR experience
  • Experience presenting and discussing strategy and analysis to business leaders

In compliance with pay transparency requirements, the salary range for this role in California, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Washington, Virginia, and the Greater D.C, Denver, or NYC areas is $100,500 - $186,500. The salary range for this role in Colorado state, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Minnesota, New York state, and Vermont is $87,500 - $162,000. This is not a guarantee of compensation or salary, as final offer amount may vary based on factors including but not limited to experience and geographic location. L3Harris also offers a variety of benefits, including health and disability insurance, 401(k) match, flexible spending accounts, EAP, education assistance, parental leave, paid time off, and company-paid holidays. The specific programs and options available to an employee may vary depending on date of hire, schedule type, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements. The application window for this requisition is anticipated to close October 31, 2026.

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L3Harris Technologies is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer. L3Harris is committed to treating all employees and applicants for employment with respect and dignity and maintaining a workplace that is free from unlawful discrimination. All applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, age, national origin, ancestry, ethnicity, gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, breastfeeding or other related medical conditions), gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, disability, genetic information, citizenship status, characteristic or membership in any other group protected by federal, state or local laws. L3Harris maintains a drug-free workplace and performs pre-employment substance abuse testing and background checks, where permitted by law.

Please be aware many of our positions require the ability to obtain a security clearance. Security clearances may only be granted to U.S. citizens. In addition, applicants who accept a conditional offer of employment may be subject to government security investigation(s) and must meet eligibility requirements for access to classified information.

By submitting your resume for this position, you understand and agree that L3Harris Technologies may share your resume, as well as any other related personal information or documentation you provide, with its subsidiaries and affiliated companies for the purpose of considering you for other available positions.

L3Harris Technologies is an E-Verify Employer. Please click here for the E-Verify Poster in English or Spanish. For information regarding your Right To Work, please click here for English or Spanish.

About L3 Harris

L3 Harris

L3 Harris is one of the largest defense and aerospace companies in the United States, delivering advanced technologies that support missions across air, land, sea, space, and cyber domains. The company develops communications systems, space payloads, intelligence platforms, electronic warfare capabilities, missile defense technologies, and mission-critical sensors used by the U.S. military, intelligence community, and allied nations around the world.

For job seekers, L3Harris offers opportunities across engineering, software development, cybersecurity, space systems, manufacturing, intelligence, program management, and mission operations. The company is especially attractive to veterans, cleared professionals, and engineers who want to work on advanced technologies that directly support national security. With programs spanning tactical communications, ISR platforms, satellite systems, and defense electronics, employees have the opportunity to contribute to some of the military’s most important capabilities.

Unlike companies focused on a single mission area, L3Harris operates across a diverse portfolio of defense technologies, providing employees exposure to a broad range of programs and technical disciplines. Teams work on everything from secure communications and autonomous systems to space-based sensors and electronic warfare platforms, creating opportunities for both specialization and long-term career growth within the organization.

As governments continue investing in modernization, space capabilities, resilient communications, and advanced sensing technologies, L3Harris remains one of the most important employers in the defense industry. For professionals seeking a mission-driven career with strong growth opportunities, technical challenges, and direct impact on global security, L3Harris continues to stand out as a leading destination in aerospace and defense.

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