Category Manager

EpirusTorrance, California, United StatesOnsite

About Epirus

Epirus is a high-growth technology company dedicated to overcoming the asymmetric challenges inherent to the future of national security. Epirus' flagship product, Leonidas, is a software-defined system built using intelligent power management techniques which allow power-hungry systems to do more with less.

Job Summary: The Category Manager will lead sourcing for machined parts, fabrication, additive manufacturing, and electromechanical assemblies. This role drives strategic supplier vision, implements long-term supplier strategies, and excels in negotiation and relationship management. Responsible for source selection from proposal through NPI, LRIP, and full-rate production, ensuring scalability and success. The Category Manager will collaborate with Contracts, Engineering, Supply Chain, Finance, and Operations to develop specifications, statements of work, and negotiation terms and conditions for the procurement of specialized materials, equipment, and/or services by preparing bid packages, ensuring competition, negotiating key provisions, making award decisions, and setting up procurement for success.

Responsibilities:

Category Strategy & Supplier Management – Develop and execute sourcing strategies for machined parts, maintaining relationships with strategic suppliers and identifying new partners as needed.
Cross-functional collaboration – Align commodity strategies with stakeholders across engineering, technical operations, and program teams to meet business and technical requirements.
Supplier Selection & Evaluation – Lead RFIs, RFPs, and RFQs, assess supplier capabilities, and ensure scalability to support current and future demands.
Contract Negotiation & Risk Mitigation – Negotiate supply, development, licensing, and service agreements while managing supplier risks, performance, and capacity planning.
Cost Optimization & Value Analysis – Develop cost models, drive negotiations using TCO principles, and leverage market insights to secure optimal pricing.
Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement – Maintain supplier scorecards, conduct quarterly business reviews, and support purchasing teams in resolving supply and quality issues.
Forecasting & Capacity Planning – Establish accurate forecasting mechanisms to communicate capacity requirements for sustaining and new products.
Risk Management & Supplier Development – Identify supplier capability gaps, implement risk mitigation strategies, and enhance supplier relationships through ongoing engagement.

Basic Qualifications:

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, or Operations
Management or equivalent experience.
Minimum of 8 years of supply chain experience in a fast-paced, highly fluid environment or other evidence of exceptional ability
Excellent communication, organizational, and collaboration skills; experience in ERP or CRM systems preferred.
Technical procurement and deep understanding of manufacturing processes within the stated commodity.
Full understanding of the manufacturing process, including raw material, hardware installation, masking, plating, and powder coating.
Experience reading datasheets, drawings, and/or blueprints with working knowledge of GD&T.
Ability to make logical, reasoned decisions in ambiguous situations.
Effective written, verbal, and presentation communication skills

Preferred Skills and Experience:

Lean Six Sigma
Data Analytics – BAQs, SQL, DMT, Query/Script creation
APICS / ISM / ASCM Certification
CPSR / DCAA / AS9100 audit experience
Terms and Conditions / Subcontract negotiation experience
Exceptional analytical, problem-solving, and organizational skills
Detail-oriented, self-motivated, and able to respond quickly to a fast-moving and ever-changing environment
Ability to travel up to 10%, including potential international travel.

ITAR REQUIREMENTS:

To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. Learn more about the ITAR here.

At Epirus, you’ll work with technical peers and great people—and get first crack at some of the defining technology challenges of our time. Here, “impossible” is just a challenge. We're a diverse, fast-growing team of change-makers fueling the future of energy with revolutionary solutions. Join us and rewrite the rules.As required by the Equal Pay Transparency Act, Epirus provides a reasonable range of minimum compensation for roles that may be hired. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and specific office location. For the state of California only, the range of starting pay for this role is: $131,800—$161,400 USD

Life at Epirus

Epirus designs and builds cutting-edge, high-powered microwave products and solutions that transform industries. With our foothold in the defense industry, we've invented directed energy systems that surpass current capabilities. With this innovation, we are redefining modern day power systems to increase the velocity of change for our customers. Epirus is headquartered in Los Angeles, CA, with a satellite office in Tysons, VA. Interested in joining our fast growing team? Learn more at: epirusinc.com/careers

Thrive Here & What We Value1. Fastpaced Environment | 2. Innovative Solutions | 3. Technical Peers and Great People | 4. U.S. Government Space Technology Export Regulations | 5. ITAR Requirements</s> | 1. Fastgrowing team | 2. Diverse workforce | 3. Revolutionary solutions | 4. Passionate about rewriting the rules.</s> | 1. ITAR REQUIREMENTS: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. | 2. Solid understanding of Linux systems and networking | 3. Strong bias for action, taking ownership, and insisting on the highest standards | 4. Ability to learn/use a wide variety of opensource technologies and tools</s> | 1. Collaborate closely with designers, artists, and other developers to create innovative simulation environments and game experiences. | 2. Stay up to date with the latest industry trends and technologies to ensure our simulation remains at the cutting edge. | 3. ITAR REQUIREMENTS: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. | 4. At Epirus, you’ll work with technical peers and great people—and get first crack at some of the defining technology challenges of our time. Here, “impossible” is just a challenge.</s> | People are the most important part of Epirus – and always come first. | We don’t believe in the word impossible and are always asking “why not” as work to usher in a new paradigm of power efficiency. | Our fast-growing team is agile, creative, and innovative. | We support a culture of constant learning and sense of belonging among our team members and know that mentorship matters. | We embrace diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and beyond.</s> | Diverse team of change-makers fueling the future of energy with revolutionary solutions | Fast-growing company | "Impossible" is just a challenge</s> | 1. Embracing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and beyond. | 2. Constant learning and sense of belonging among team members. | 3. Mentorship matters. | 4. Fastgrowing team that is agile, creative, and innovative. | 5. Always asking “why not” as work to usher in a new paradigm of power efficiency.</s> | 2. Agile, creative, and innovative team | 3. Constant learning and sense of belonging among team members | 4. Embracing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and beyond.</s> | 1. Epirus is a highgrowth technology company dedicated to overcoming the asymmetric challenges inherent to the future of national security. | 2. Epirus' flagship product, Leonidas, is a softwaredefined system built using intelligent power management techniques which allow power-hungry systems to do more with less. | 3. At Epirus, you’ll work with technical peers and great people—and get first crack at some of the defining technology challenges of our time.</s> | 1. Collaborative and teamfocused environment | 2. Fastpaced and growing business | 3. Innovative and operational excellencedriven culture</s> | 1. Collaborative Environment | 2. FastPaced and Ever-Changing Work Environment | 3. Passion for Learning New Things | 4. Diverse Team of ChangeMakers | 5. Rewriting the Rules</s> | 1. Diverse, fastgrowing team of change-makers fueling the future of energy with revolutionary solutions | 2. "Impossible" is just a challenge | 3. Passionate about technology, intellectual property, and business | 4. Collaborative; capable of working across all levels of the organization | 5. Organized; comfortable working in a fastpaced, ever-changing environment</s> | 1. Fastmoving and ever-changing environment | 2. Diverse team of changemakers fueling the future of energy with revolutionary solutions | 3. ITAR REQUIREMENTS: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.</s> | 1. Fastpaced, agile environment | 2. Startup experience, tech industry experience, and/or Defense/Aerospace/Military experience preferred | 3. ITAR requirements: U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.</s> | 1. Innovative | 2. Highgrowth Technology Company | 5. Fastpaced Environment</s> | 1. Emphasis on innovation and redefining the future of power efficiency. | 3. Embracing diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and beyond.</s> | 3. Agile | 5. FastPaced</s> | 3. Dedicated to overcoming the asymmetric challenges inherent to the future of national security. | 4. Flagship product is a softwaredefined system built using intelligent power management techniques which allow power-hungry systems to do more with less.</s> | 2. Collaborative team | 3. Innovative solutions to challenging problems | 4. Diverse team of changemakers</s> | Epirus is a high-growth technology company dedicated to overcoming the asymmetric challenges inherent to the future of national security. | Epirus' flagship product, Leonidas, is a software-defined system built using intelligent power management techniques which allow power-hungry systems to do more with less. | We're a diverse, fast-growing team of change-makers fueling the future of energy with revolutionary solutions. | Join us and rewrite the rules.</s> | 1. Diverse and FastGrowing Team | 2. Revolutionary Solutions for the Future of Energy | 3. Collaborative Environment | 4. Opportunity to Work on Defining Technology Challenges</s> | 1. Dynamic and Growing Company | 2. Collaborative Mindset | 3. FastGrowing Team of Change-Makers Fueling the Future of Energy with Revolutionary Solutions | 4. Diverse Group of People | 5. “Impossible” is Just a Challenge</s> | 1. FastPaced and Evolving Environment | 2. Technical Peers and Great People | 3. Rewriting the Rules | 4. Revolutionary Solutions | 5. Diverse, FastGrowing Team</s> | Fast-moving environment where creativity is encouraged and boundaries are pushed while maintaining consistency and clarity.</s> | 1. People are the most important part of Epirus – and always come first. | 2. We don’t believe in the word impossible and are always asking “why not” as work to usher in a new paradigm of power efficiency. | 3. Our fastgrowing team is agile, creative, and innovative. | 4. We support a culture of constant learning and sense of belonging among our team members and know that mentorship matters. | 5. We embrace diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace and beyond.</s> | 1. Innovative and highgrowth defense technology company | 2. Collaborative work environment with technical peers and great people | 3. Opportunity to work on defining technology challenges of our time | 4. Emphasis on continuous improvement and innovation within the team.</s> | 1. Highgrowth technology company dedicated to overcoming the asymmetric challenges inherent to the future of national security. | 2. Flagship product, Leonidas, is a softwaredefined system built using intelligent power management techniques which allow power-hungry systems to do more with less. | 3. Hybrid role, though the candidate is expected to be in the office at least three days a week | 4. Periodic travel may be required | 5. ITAR REQUIREMENTS: To conform to U.S. Government space technology export regulations, including the International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) you must be a U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., protected individual as defined by 8 U.S.C. 1324b(a)(3), or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State. | 6. At Epirus, you’ll work with technical peers and great people—and get first crack at some of the defining technology challenges of our time. Here, “impossible” is just a challenge. We're a diverse, fastgrowing team of change-makers fueling the future of energy with revolutionary solutions. Join us and rewrite the rules.</s> | 2. Flagship product built using intelligent power management techniques which allow powerhungry systems to do more with less. | 6. Diverse and fastgrowing team of change-makers fueling the future of energy with revolutionary solutions.</s> | 1. Innovative company | 3. Dedicated to overcoming asymmetric challenges inherent to the future of national security | 4. Flagship product is a softwaredefined system built using intelligent power management techniques that allow power-hungry systems to do more with less.</s> | Fast-paced and Ever-changing Environment | Diverse and Growing Team of Change-makers | Revolutionary Solutions to Define the Future of Energy</s> | 1. Innovative and FastGrowing Company | 3. Defining Technology Challenges of Our Time | 4. Rewrite the Rules</s> | 1. Constant emphasis on innovation | 2. Redefining the future of power to bring tomorrow's capabilities to life today | 3. Embracing diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace and beyond.</s> | 2. The ideal candidate for this position is someone who has a knack for elegant design and the knowhow to build reliable web-based UIs. | 4. Join us and rewrite the rules.</s> | 2. Focused on Achieving Business Objectives | 3. Collaborative Working Style | 4. Organized and GoalOriented | 5. Passionate to Learn New Things | 6. Prioritizing Creative Problem Solving and Employing a Responsible, Strategic, Compliant, and Ethical Approach to Business Challenges</s> | 1. FastGrowing Defense Technology Company | 2. HighPressure Environment | 3. Diverse Team of ChangeMakers | 4. Revolutionary Solutions for Defining Technology Challenges | 5. Emphasis on ITAR Compliance</s> | 1. Fastpaced agile environment | 2. Innovative, highgrowth defense technology company | 3. Diverse team of changemakers fueling the future of energy with revolutionary solutions | 4. "Impossible" is just a challenge</s> | 2. Redefining the future of power to bring tomorrow’s capabilities to life, today. | 3. Collaborative and organized work environment in a fastpaced, ever-changing environment.</s> | 3. ITAR requirements: U.S. citizen, lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or eligible to obtain the required authorizations from the U.S. Department of State.</s> | 4. Opportunity to Rewrite the Rules</s> | 1. Fastpaced environment to apply emerging technologies in innovative ways to rapidly produce new products | Re-defining the future of power to bring tomorrow’s capabilities to life, today | High-growth technology company developing solid-state, software-defined directed energy systems that enable unprecedented counter-electronics effects and power management solutions to optimize power efficiency in defense and commercial applications.</s> | 4. Collaborative environment | 5. Opportunity to work on defining technology challenges of our time.</s> | 14. Emphasis on innovation | 15. Constantly redefining modern power systems</s> | 2. Highgrowth defense technology company | 3. Collaborative team environment | 4. Fastpaced start-up environment | 5. Opportunity to work with technical peers and great people.</s> | 4. Flagship Product: Leonidas | 5. SoftwareDefined System Built Using Intelligent Power Management Techniques</s> | 5. FastPaced Start-Up Environment</s> | 2. Versatile and able to handle multiple tasks | 3. Keen eye for detail to drive accuracy and operational efficiency. | 4. Continuous improvement initiatives to enhance inventory accuracy, warehouse organization, and overall supply chain efficiency.</s> | 2. At Epirus, you’ll work with technical peers and great people—and get first crack at some of the defining technology challenges of our time. Here, “impossible” is just a challenge. We're a diverse, fastgrowing team of change-makers fueling the future of energy with revolutionary solutions. Join us and rewrite the rules. | 3. As required by the Equal Pay Transparency Act, Epirus provides a reasonable range of minimum compensation for roles that may be hired. Actual compensation is influenced by a wide array of factors including but not limited to skill set, level of experience, and specific office location. For the state of California only, the range of starting pay for this role is: $131,800—$161,400 USD.</s> | At Epirus, you’ll work with technical peers and great people—and get first crack at some of the defining technology challenges of our time. Here, “impossible” is just a challenge. We're a diverse, fast-growing team of change-makers fueling the future of energy with revolutionary solutions. Join us and rewrite the rules.</s> | 2. Opportunity to utilize lean thinking, simulation modeling, and decisionmaking that will optimize factory performance | 3. Collaborative team of technical peers and great people | 4. Diverse and fastgrowing team fueling the future of energy with revolutionary solutions | 3. MissionDriven | 5. Diverse</s> | 1. FastGrowing Team of Change-Makers | 2. Diverse Group of People | 3. Revolutionary Solutions for the Future of Energy | 5. Responsible, Strategic, Compliant and Ethical Approach to Business Challenges</s> | 1. Fastgrowing team of change-makers fueling the future of energy with revolutionary solutions | 2. Diverse team of technical peers and great people | 3. "Impossible" is just a challenge at Epirus</s>

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