JobsMotorola Solutions

Procurement Category Manager - Semiconductors

Motorola Solutions · Chicago, IL

Posted Sep 22, 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, and how did the strategy change over its first year?

whether the candidate has actually owned a full category strategy cycle versus just executing tasks within one

Describe a negotiation where you had very little leverage over the supplier. How did you still land favorable terms?

negotiation skill under real power imbalance, common in semiconductor sourcing where suppliers often hold the cards

Tell me about a cost reduction goal you were assigned that seemed unrealistic given market conditions. How did you approach it and what was the outcome?

whether they can hit savings targets honestly under pressure rather than claiming easy wins

Give me an example of when you had to communicate a supply risk or cost issue up to senior executives, internally or with a supplier's leadership. How did you frame it?

comfort operating at executive level, which the posting specifically flags

Tell me about a time you disagreed with a supplier's proposed roadmap or capability claims. How did you verify what they told you?

critical thinking and diligence rather than taking supplier claims at face value

Technical

The semiconductor market has swung between severe shortage and oversupply in the last few years. How do you decide when to lock in long-term supply agreements versus staying flexible on the spot market?

real understanding of semiconductor market cycles and how that shapes commercial strategy, not textbook procurement theory

Tell me about a time you had to build or expand a Preferred Manufacturer List. How did you evaluate a new supplier's manufacturing technology and business scale before adding them?

hands-on experience qualifying semiconductor suppliers, not just managing an existing approved list

How do you structure an NDA and corporate supplier agreement differently for a strategic semiconductor partner versus a transactional one?

actual contract literacy and understanding of commercial terms, since the posting calls this out explicitly

What's your process for tracking commodity market conditions for semiconductors, and can you give an example of a signal you caught early that others missed?

depth of market intelligence habits versus relying on suppliers to flag problems

Situational

Say a key semiconductor supplier tells you their lead times are tripling because of a fab capacity issue, and you have designs already locked to their part. What do you do in the first week?

crisis response and whether they have a real playbook for supply continuity, not improvisation

You're leading a Strategic Component Team with engineers who want to design in a part that isn't on your preferred list. How do you handle that conversation?

ability to influence design engineers toward cost-conscious, supply-safe choices without just saying no

How would you go about identifying which suppliers in your semiconductor category carry the most concentration risk right now, and what would you do about the riskiest one?

proactive risk assessment skill and whether they think in terms of supply continuity planning, not just reactive firefighting

You're managing multiple sourcing projects across a global cross-functional team in different time zones. How do you keep everyone aligned and moving without becoming a bottleneck?

ability to lead through influence across a distributed, cross-functional team rather than direct authority

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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: • 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 • 5+ years of experience in procurement or similar business experience is preferred LI-#AB1 LI-#HYBRD Target Base Salary Range: $150,000.00 - $170,000.00 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 • 3+ 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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