JobsMotorola Solutions

Procurement Category Manager - Semiconductors

Motorola Solutions · Chicago, IL

Posted Sep 9, 2025 · We last checked this listing on Sep 20, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

Behavioral

Walk me through a semiconductor category strategy you built from scratch. What data did you use to shape it and how did it hold up when the market shifted?

whether the candidate can build a strategy grounded in real market analysis rather than just reacting to shortages

Tell me about a tough negotiation with a semiconductor supplier where you had less leverage than you wanted. How did you get to an acceptable outcome?

negotiation skill under real power imbalance, not just textbook tactics

Describe a time you had to align engineers, product managers, and suppliers who all wanted different things from a sourcing decision. How did you get them moving in the same direction?

cross-functional leadership without formal authority over the other functions

Give me an example of a cost reduction target you were assigned that felt unrealistic. How did you approach hitting it anyway, or did you push back?

ability to balance aggressive cost goals with supplier relationship health and realism

Tell me about a time a supplier's quality or delivery performance was slipping. How did you handle the conversation and what changed afterward?

ability to hold suppliers accountable while preserving a working relationship

Technical

The chip market has gone through a lot of whiplash the last few years, shortages, then oversupply. How do you monitor commodity conditions and what would trigger you to update a supply continuity plan?

depth of real-world knowledge of semiconductor market cycles and proactive risk management

How do you approach managing NDAs and corporate supplier agreements when a relationship is meant to be strategic and long-term rather than transactional?

contract literacy and understanding of what makes an agreement strategic versus purely defensive

What does a design rule library or supplier capability metric actually do for a designer, and how have you used something like that to steer part selection earlier in the design process?

genuine hands-on familiarity with the Strategic Component Team type of work versus buzzword familiarity

How do you decide when it's worth qualifying a second source for a component versus staying single-sourced for cost or performance reasons?

judgment on the tradeoff between supply resilience and efficiency

What's your process for evaluating whether a potential semiconductor supplier has the manufacturing technology and business scale to be added to the Preferred Manufacturer List?

rigor and structure applied to supplier qualification decisions

Situational

Say a key supplier on your Preferred Manufacturer List suddenly announces a fab closure or capacity cut affecting a component used across several product lines. Walk me through what you'd do in the first week.

crisis response instinct and understanding of supply assurance mechanics

If you found out two of your top three suppliers for a critical component were both dependent on the same upstream wafer fab, what would you do about it?

understanding of hidden concentration risk in the semiconductor supply chain

You're presenting a sourcing decision to executives who care about cost, and engineers who care about technical risk, in the same meeting. How do you frame it so both sides actually listen?

communication range across technical and executive audiences

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The full job description

As published by Motorola Solutions.

Company Overview ​ At Motorola Solutions, we believe that everything starts with our people. We’re a global close-knit community, united by the relentless pursuit to help keep people safer everywhere. Our critical communications, video security and command center technologies support public safety agencies and enterprises alike, enabling the coordination that’s critical for safer communities, safer schools, safer hospitals and safer businesses. Connect with a career that matters, and help us build a safer future. Department Overview The Supply Chain organization is a fast-paced and dynamic environment, delivering best-in-class communications equipment and solutions for customers around the world. Our purpose is to deliver exceptional value and customer experience through agility, speed, and collaboration. We plan what products and services are needed, source efficiently and ethically from a diverse supply base, launch new products, make and deliver solutions on time, and exceed customer expectations through outstanding quality, service, and support. We are designed to bring value, lead technology innovation, and provide Motorola Solutions a competitive advantage on revenue, cost, cash, and delivery. Job Description Motorola Solutions is building talent pipelines to meet future hiring demands. This is a pipeline role, while there is not an immediate opening, we want to build relationships with prospective candidates like you. If your background is a match to our requirements, we’ll follow up with an exploratory conversation. NOTE: This is a hybrid role - Candidate must reside in the Chicagoland area with the ability to work from the office as needed. In this role you will be responsible for: • Leading global, cross functional team in developing and executing a cohesive category strategy in the semiconductor space,  with focus on developing a supply base to meet the changing requirements of the assigned category, analyzing market trends and business environment and long term commercial strategic direction. • Leading supplier negotiations within a framework of a strategic contractual relationship, managing non-disclosure and corporate supplier agreement. • Managing overall supplier relationships including supplier performance, capability development, capacity planning, contracting, risk mitigation, cost and quality improvements • Identify cost savings through negotiations, event driven activities, and alternate sourcing to achieve assigned cost reduction goals. • Ensure components supply assurance by maintaining the appropriate Preferred Manufacturer List with the right industry manufacturing technology capability and business setup scale. • Monitor current commodity market conditions to identify potential supply challenges and develop a supply continuity plan • Lead the Strategic Component Team (SCT) to identify and drive projects which improve cost, quality and delivery to Motorola; included but not limited to supplier footprint expansion, roadmap alignment, design rule libraries, supplier capability metrics as guidance for designer in supplier and materials selection, and part design manufacturability, to cultivate cost conscious design approach • Other duties as assigned Qualifications: • Product management or technical experience in the areas of Hardware/Software Product Development. • Excellent contract negotiations skills and understanding of key commercial terms and conditions • Strong analytical, communication and interpersonal skills with the ability to work at various levels of management including internal and external Executive levels. • A good team player, mature and self-motivated with ability to lead with personal integrity • Able to manage multiple priorities in a dynamic environment • Experience managing complex strategic sourcing projects • Direct experience as a Procurement category manager managing complex semiconductors is preferred LI-#AB1 LI-#HYBRD Target Base Salary Range: $80,000.00 - $180,000.00 Consistent with Motorola Solutions values and applicable law, we provide the following information to promote pay transparency and equity. Pay within this range varies and depends on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The actual offer will be based on the individual candidate. Basic Requirements • 2+ years of experience in procurement or similar business experience • Legal authorization to work in the U.S. indefinitely is required. Employer work permit sponsorship is not available for this position. Travel Requirements Under 25% Relocation Provided None Position Type Experienced Referral Payment Plan No Our U.S. Benefits include: • Incentive Bonus Plans • Medical, Dental, Vision benefits • 401K • 10 Paid Holidays • Generous Paid Time Off Packages • Employee Stock Purchase Plan • Paid Parental & Family Leave • and more! EEO Statement Motorola Solutions is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or any other legally-protected characteristic.  We are proud of our people-first and community-focused culture, empowering every Motorolan to be their most authentic self and to do their best work to deliver on the promise of a safer world. If you’d like to join our team but feel that you don’t quite meet all of the preferred skills, we’d still love to hear why you think you’d be a great addition to our team. We’re committed to providing an inclusive and accessible recruiting experience for candidates with disabilities, or other physical or mental health conditions. To request an accommodation, please complete this  Reasonable Accommodations Form  so we can assist you.

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