GLOBAL CATEGORY MANAGER - POWDER & ATOMIZATION: \$91,700 -
\$126,100/YEAR VulcanForms - developer of industrial-scale laser metal additive manufacturing solutions. We deliver end-to-end production by combining scalable additive manufacturing, precision machining, and advanced digital infrastructure for aerospace, defense, medical, and other essential industries. About the Role: Own the sourcing strategy, supplier relationships, and commercial execution for VulcanForms? metal powder feedstock and atomization supply base?the critical raw materials supporting additive manufacturing operations. Manage gas- and plasma-atomized metal powders across the alloy portfolio, toll atomization services, and powder-related consumables. Partner with the Powder & Atomization team, Materials Engineering, Operations, and Quality to secure resilient supply, improve cost performance, and develop supplier capability in a rapidly scaling production environment. Key Responsibilities: -Own and develop the multiyear category strategy for metal powders, including titanium, nickel-based superalloys, stainless and tool steels, aluminum, and cobalt-chrome -Manage sourcing strategies for gas atomization, plasma atomization, and related services -Lead sourcing, negotiation, and contracting for powder producers and toll atomizers -Negotiate pricing, minimum-order quantities, lead times, capacity commitments, and long-term supply agreements -Partner with Materials Engineering and Quality to define powder specifications, lot-acceptance criteria, and supplier-qualification requirements -Manage the end-to-end procurement lifecycle for powder feedstock, from demand and inventory planning through purchase-order execution, expediting, and delivery confirmation -Build and maintain a qualified supplier panel across primary powder producers and toll atomization providers -Manage supplier performance against cost, quality, delivery, and lot-consistency KPIs -Develop should-cost models and total-cost-of-ownership frameworks for powder purchases -Evaluate cost drivers including price per kilogram, alloy surcharges, and powder-reuse economics -Provide independent cost benchmarking to Engineering and Finance -Identify and mitigate supply risks across critical and single- or sole-source alloys -Maintain category risk registers and implement dual-source and inventory-mitigation plans -Partner with Operations and Quality on powder reuse, reclaim, and recycling strategies to optimize material yield and cost -Ensure material traceability and supplier compliance with applicable quality and federal regulatory requirements, including specialty-metals domestic-sourcing requirements where applicable -Define and deliver an annual savings and cost-avoidance roadmap -Report category pipeline, spend, supplier performance, and supply metrics to the VP of Supply Chain -Scope, onboard, and develop category-specialist
support as the Powder & Atomization team grows Qualifications:
-Bachelor?s degree required; Materials Science, Metallurgy, Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Supply Chain, or a related field preferred -Six-plus years of progressive procurement or supply chain experience -At least four years managing direct-material, raw-material, or commodity categories at a senior level -Demonstrated experience sourcing and contracting for direct or raw materials, including supplier negotiations, qualification, and multisource supply programs -Technical fluency in metal powders, specialty metals, or comparable engineered-material categories -Understanding of material specifications and quality- and qualification requirements -Strong financial acumen, including spend analysis, should-cost modeling, and total-cost-of-ownership analysis -Proven ability to partner with Engineering and Quality to translate technical requirements into commercial strategies -Exc