Senior Category Manager, Batteries

As a Senior Category Manager, Batteries at Anduril Industries, you will develop and execute category strategies that focus on cost reduction and quality improvement. You'll manage supplier relationships and be responsible for the sourcing of battery components that are integral to our advanced military products. Your role encompasses leading RFI/RFQ/RFP processes, performing detailed cost analysis, and influencing manufacturing processes to ensure we meet operational excellence in our projects.

To qualify as a Senior Category Manager for Batteries at Anduril Industries, you should possess a Bachelor’s degree in a relevant field such as supply chain or engineering, along with a minimum of 5 years of experience in the supply chain category management for batteries or energetics. Strong analytical skills and a strategic mindset are essential for developing effective sourcing strategies. Preferred qualifications include experience in defense or high-tech industries, and familiarity with total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis.

Essential skills for the Senior Category Manager, Batteries at Anduril Industries include strategic thinking, strong negotiation abilities, and excellent communication skills for working with cross-functional teams. You should have a deep understanding of supply chain processes and be adept in data analysis to drive cost-effective decisions. Additionally, leadership skills are crucial for influencing team goals and achieving collaborative outcomes.

The Senior Category Manager, Batteries role at Anduril Industries may require up to 50% travel. This travel is primarily for supplier visits, stakeholder engagement, and collaboration with contract manufacturers to ensure effective sourcing and procurement processes. Being open to travel will help you build strong relationships and enhance your understanding of supply chain operations.

At Anduril Industries, as a Senior Category Manager, Batteries, you'll be positioned for significant career growth within the defense technology sector. Your role offers the chance to lead impactful sourcing initiatives, and through your contributions, you'll develop expertise in advanced technologies, which can open paths to higher managerial positions or specialized technical roles.

When answering this question, provide specific examples of your previous roles where you successfully managed sourcing processes for battery components. Highlight your strategic approach to identifying suppliers and negotiating agreements, focusing on cost savings and quality improvements.

Discuss the resources you utilize to stay informed, such as industry journals, webinars, and networking with professionals in the field. Mention any relevant conferences you've attended or online courses you've taken that enhance your knowledge of battery innovations.

Outline the process for TCO analysis, focusing on breaking down costs associated with each supplier option. Include considerations of not just immediate expenses but long-term costs, such as maintenance, quality, and reliability that impact overall sourcing decisions.

Share a specific situation where you faced challenges during negotiations for battery sourcing. Explain your approach, strategies you implemented to overcome obstacles, and the positive results that followed, emphasizing your negotiation skills and ability to maintain supplier relationships.

Discuss your communication style and methods for fostering teamwork, such as regular meetings, project updates, and utilizing collaborative software. Highlight any successful outcomes from previous collaborations with engineering, manufacturing, and other departments.

Explain the key performance indicators (KPIs) you track, such as on-time delivery, quality rates, and cost performance. Provide examples of how you have used these metrics to manage supplier relationships and drive improvements.

Talk about a specific context where you had to choose between suppliers due to various factors like cost, quality, or delivery timelines. Detail how you assessed the situation, the decision-making process you followed, and the eventual outcome.

Describe your process for identifying potential suppliers, evaluating their capabilities, and establishing partnerships. Emphasize the importance of aligning their values and capabilities with Anduril's mission and product needs.

Share any frameworks or strategies you've implemented to identify and mitigate risks within the supply chain, particularly regarding battery sourcing. Discuss how proactive risk management has contributed to stability and reliability in your past roles.

Explain your conflict resolution approach, where you focus on communication, understanding both parties’ perspectives, and striving for a win-win outcome. Share an example of a past conflict and how you successfully resolved it.