Electronics Category Manager, APAC

Are you a hands‑on electronics sourcing leader with deep experience in direct materials and a strong understanding of electronics manufacturing environments? Do you enjoy shaping regional strategy while staying close to execution?

We are seeking a Regional Category Manager – Electronics to drive category excellence across the Detection business in the APAC region. This role is pivotal in aligning sourcing strategy with manufacturing realities, strengthening supplier partnerships, and delivering tangible improvements in Total Cost of Ownership (TCO), lead times, and speed to market.

The opportunity

As Regional Category Manager, you will take ownership of the electronics category across APAC, working closely with the Global Category Manager – Electronics and senior regional stakeholders. This is a role for someone who is equally comfortable setting strategy and rolling up their sleeves to drive results at factory and supplier level.

You will be instrumental in embedding robust Category Management and Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) practices across manufacturing facilities and service hubs, ensuring sourcing decisions directly support operational performance and business growth.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and execute regional electronics category management processes aligned to global strategy, with value‑stream thinking at the core
• Embed strategic sourcing and SRM excellence across APAC manufacturing plants and service hubs
• Partner with Senior Technology, Operations, Supply Chain, and IBP leaders to build and deliver long‑term category strategies
• Award business to suppliers based on Total Cost of Ownership (cost, working capital, COPQ, VOTD)
• Drive lead‑time reduction and speed‑to‑market improvements through close cross‑functional collaboration
• Lead supplier segmentation, panel management, and SRM deployment across the regional electronics supply base
• Strengthen supplier performance, collaboration, and incumbency through disciplined SRM execution
• Execute Low‑Cost Country sourcing initiatives to improve competitiveness and reduce regional TCO
• Ensure alignment with Smiths Group sourcing policies, governance, and strategic direction

What we’re looking for

Critical experience

• Strong hands‑on experience in direct material sourcing, ideally within electronics manufacturing or technically complex products
• Exposure to electronics components, assemblies, or equipment categories
• Proven experience operating in a regional APAC sourcing or category management role
• Track record of working closely with manufacturing, engineering, and supply chain teams

Preferred qualifications

• Bachelor’s or Master’s degree in Engineering or a related discipline
• APICS and/or MCIPS certification (or actively working towards)
• Experience in matrixed, global organisations

Key skills & attributes

• Strong analytical and problem‑solving mindset
• High personal drive with the ability to influence without authority
• Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills
• Comfortable balancing strategy with day‑to‑day execution
• Self‑starter who thrives in a dynamic, evolving environment
• Fluent in English with strong cultural awareness across APAC

Role balance

• 80%: Technical and analytical focus (sourcing execution, supplier management, data analysis, problem‑solving)
• 20%: Leadership, stakeholder engagement, and strategic category development

Join us and we’ll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You’ll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You’ll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective.

Join us and work for a world-leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place.

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (Careers - Smiths Group plc)