Contract Manufacturing Category Manager I (Onsite)

Join Axon and be a Force for Good.

At Axon, we’re on a mission to Protect Life. We’re explorers, pursuing society’s most critical safety and justice issues with our ecosystem of devices and cloud software. Like our products, we work better together. We connect with candor and care, seeking out diverse perspectives from our customers, communities and each other.

Life at Axon is fast-paced, challenging and meaningful. Here, you’ll take ownership and drive real change. Constantly grow as you work hard for a mission that matters at a company where you matter.

Your Impact

You will be accountable for leading assigned category(s) which have the highest impact on Axon’s supply base and spend categories. This requires a broad market understanding and internal and external stakeholder engagement at the highest levels. You will ensure assigned suppliers meet and maintain requirements for quality, on time delivery, and continuous improvement while optimizing cost, inventory and terms. Enhanced understanding of emerging markets and technologies is required.

What You’ll Do

Location: Onsite at our Scottsdale, AZ office 3-5 days a week, and on the road 20% of time
Reports to: Director, Strategic Sourcing
Direct Reports: Yes

• Manage supplier performance through formal business reviews and ongoing engagement to meet Axon’s requirements for quality, delivery, cost, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Act as the subject matter expert for defined commodities, assessing market dynamics and supplier risk while driving strategies to improve competitiveness and supply continuity
• Partner with demand planning to communicate forecasts and align supplier capacity with short- and long-term business needs
• Lead spend management initiatives to optimize supplier base, cost, inventory, and payment terms
• Manage supplier inventory levels through advanced replenishment strategies and negotiation of lead times and MOQs
• Negotiate contracts and supplier agreements
• Drive continuous improvement and supplier performance initiatives
• Lead commodity strategy development and execution
• Support NPI processes, translating product requirements into supply strategies
• Partner cross-functionally with Engineering, Quality, Manufacturing, Sales Ops, and Product teams to align supplier performance with business goals
• Serve as the primary escalation point for supplier-related issues

What You Bring

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field
• 7+ years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or commodity/category management
• Strong expertise in electronics manufacturing and global EMS/CM landscape (e.g., Jabil, Plexus, Sanmina), including PCBA, system integration, NPI, and supply chain constraints
• Proven ability to develop and execute category strategies driving cost, quality, and risk outcomes
• Advanced negotiation skills (should-costing, LTAs, VAVE, pricing models) and experience managing complex global supplier agreements
• Strong supplier performance management experience (KPIs, QBRs, scorecards, continuous improvement) with demonstrated accountability across cost, quality, and delivery
• Solid understanding of cost drivers and total landed cost optimization, with experience in manufacturing transfers, ramp-up, and dual-sourcing strategies
• Experience identifying and mitigating supply chain risks, including geopolitical and capacity challenges, with ability to build multi-region sourcing strategies
• Awareness of key industry trends (reshoring, China+1 strategies, component shortages, lifecycle management)
• Strong analytical mindset with ability to benchmark suppliers, model costs, challenge assumptions, and drive data-based decisions
• Ability to influence cross-functionally (Engineering, Finance, Quality, Operations) and communicate effectively at all levels, including executive stakeholders
• Demonstrated leadership capability with experience developing teams and building strong supplier relationships

Preferred Qualifications

• Strong communication and negotiation skills as well as proven ability to work within team structure as an active participant and drive results through direct and indirect influence/collaboration
• Ability to successful function in “fast-paced” ambiguous environment
• Demonstrated capability of advancing further within the organization through track record of increasing responsibility and quantifiable results
• APICS, ISM, PMP, Six Sigma certifications desired
• Masters of Business Administration

Benefits that Benefit You

• Competitive salary and 401k with employer match
• Discretionary paid time off
• Paid parental leave for all
• Medical, Dental, Vision plans
• Fitness Programs
• Emotional & Mental Wellness support
• Learning & Development programs
• And yes, we have snacks in our offices

Don’t meet every single requirement? That's ok. At Axon, we Aim Far. We think big with a long-term view because we want to reinvent the world to be a safer, better place. We are also committed to building diverse teams that reflect the communities we serve.

Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply to jobs unless they check every box in the job description. If you’re excited about this role and our mission to Protect Life but your experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification listed here, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may be just the right candidate for this or other roles.

Important Notes

The above job description is not intended as, nor should it be construed as, exhaustive of all duties, responsibilities, skills, efforts, or working conditions associated with this job. The job description may change or be supplemented at any time in accordance with business needs and conditions.

Some roles may also require legal eligibility to work in a firearms environment.

We collect personal information from applicants to evaluate candidates for employment. You may request access, deletion, or exercise other CCPA rights at axongreenhousesupport@axon.com or via our Axon Privacy Web Form. For more information, please see the Your California Privacy Rights section of our Applicant and Candidate Privacy Notice.

Axon’s mission is to Protect Life and is committed to the well-being and safety of its employees as well as Axon’s impact on the environment. All Axon employees must be aware of and committed to the appropriate environmental, health, and safety regulations, policies, and procedures. Axon employees are empowered to report safety concerns as they arise and activities potentially impacting the environment.

We are an equal opportunity employer that promotes justice, advances equity, values diversity and fosters inclusion. We’re committed to hiring the best talent — regardless of race, creed, color, ancestry, religion, sex (including pregnancy), national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, genetic information, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations and ordinances — and empowering all of our employees so they can do their best work. If you have a disability or special need that requires assistance or accommodation during the application or the recruiting process, please email recruitingops@axon.com.  Please note that this email address is for accommodation purposes only. Axon will not respond to inquiries for other purposes.

Phishing alert:  Axon will never ask you to pay for any part of the hiring process, including training, equipment, or background checks. We do not make job offers via text message, WhatsApp, or instant messaging platforms without a formal interview process.  All legitimate job openings are listed on our official careers page at https://www.axon.com/careers.  If you receive a suspicious offer or outreach from an email address that is not @axon.com, or if you are asked for sensitive personal information (bank details, Social Security Number) prematurely, please ignore the message and report it to recruitingops@axon.com.