Indirect Category Manager

Divergent is a technology company that has architected, invented, built, and commercialized an end-to-end factory system called the Divergent Adaptive Production System (DAPS) that comprehensively uses machine learning to optimally engineer, additively manufacture, and flexibly assemble complex integrated vehicle structures and subsystems. Products created using DAPS are superior in performance, lower in cost, rapidly customizable to meet mission and customer-specific requirements, faster to market, and scalable on demand to high volume production. Divergent is a qualified Tier 1 supplier to global automotive OEMs, and Divergent is now expanding to support mission critical needs in the Aerospace and Defense sector. Join us to be a part of this transformative journey, where your impact will shape the future of technology and production.

Purpose

We are seeking an experienced Category Manager focused on Capital Projects, Construction, Facilities, and related indirect spend categories to support Divergent's rapid growth and expansion initiatives.

This individual will lead sourcing, contracting, supplier management, and procurement strategy for facility expansions, construction projects, manufacturing equipment, capital expenditures, facility services, maintenance programs, and related operational initiatives. The role will also support additional indirect procurement categories such as professional services, HR, marketing, and general corporate spend as business priorities require.

The ideal candidate brings deep experience in construction, facilities, and capital project procurement, including contractor selection, pre-construction services, general contractor agreements, construction administration, facility maintenance contracts, equipment sourcing, and supplier negotiations.

This individual will serve as a strategic business partner to Facilities, Operations, Manufacturing, Engineering, Finance, and Legal while helping scale a world class procurement organization capable of supporting Divergent's continued growth.

Role

Strategic Sourcing & Procurement

• Lead sourcing and procurement activities supporting facility expansions, tenant improvements, manufacturing buildouts, infrastructure projects, facility services, and capital equipment initiatives
• Manage end to end sourcing initiatives including RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, contractor evaluations, scope development, bid leveling, and supplier selection
• Support contractor selection, pre-construction services, budgeting activities, GMP reviews, change order management, and construction contract negotiations
• Negotiate commercial agreements including construction contracts, master service agreements, facility service agreements, statements of work, maintenance agreements, equipment purchases, and professional services agreements
• Partner with Facilities, Manufacturing, Engineering, and Operations teams to support capital planning, project execution, and supplier performance
• Drive cost savings, schedule improvements, risk mitigation, and supplier accountability across capital and facility related projects
• Support procurement activities across additional indirect spend categories including professional services, HR, marketing, travel, and general corporate services as business needs evolve

Supplier & Stakeholder Partnership

• Build and maintain strong supplier relationships focused on quality, responsiveness, scalability, and overall business value
• Monitor supplier performance, deliverables, and contractual obligations to ensure successful execution of awarded work
• Serve as a trusted procurement business partner to stakeholders across Facilities, Manufacturing, Engineering, Operations, Finance, HR, Legal, and other corporate functions
• Collaborate cross functionally to support budgeting, forecasting, operational planning, and procurement strategy
• Help balance cost, quality, speed, scalability, and risk across sourcing decisions

Procurement Operations & Process Improvement

• Support the continued development and scaling of procurement processes, systems, and best practices
• Improve procurement efficiency, spend visibility, supplier governance, and reporting capabilities
• Operate with flexibility across multiple indirect procurement categories while supporting a collaborative and cross trained team structure

Qualifications

• Ability to lawfully access information and technology subject to U.S. export controls
• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management, Business Administration, Finance, Engineering, or related field
• 7+ years of experience in indirect procurement, strategic sourcing, category management, or supply chain management
• Demonstrated ability to independently manage sourcing projects and supplier negotiations with minimal oversight
• Experience leading sourcing initiatives from requirements gathering through contract execution and supplier performance management
• Strong experience negotiating construction contracts, capital equipment agreements, facility service agreements, maintenance contracts, professional services agreements, SOWs, MSAs, and other commercial agreements
• Experience supporting facility expansions, manufacturing buildouts, capital projects, construction management, contractor selection, or facilities operations strongly preferred
• Experience reviewing contractor proposals, scopes of work, budgets, schedules, change orders, and construction related commercial terms preferred
• Experience supporting manufacturing, aerospace, automotive, defense, industrial, or high growth technology environments preferred
• Strong stakeholder management, communication, negotiation, and analytical skills
• Ability to operate effectively in fast paced, ambiguous, and evolving environments
• Working knowledge of procurement systems and ERP platforms

Key Performance Metrics

• Achievement of cost savings and value creation targets
• Supplier performance and sourcing execution
• Procurement cycle time and process efficiency improvements
• Internal stakeholder satisfaction and partnership effectiveness
• Contract compliance and supplier risk management
• Operational support aligned with business priorities and timelines

Compensation

At Divergent, our pay range is based on the level of the job. For this role, we will consider candidates at levels S05 - S07 as evaluated through our interview process.

• SCH S05: $104,040 - $143,055
• SCH S06: $120,190 - $165,240
• SCH S07: $138,805 - $190,868

Pay Range

$104,040—$190,868 USD

What We Offer:

• Holistic Compensation Package: Enjoy a world-class compensation package that includes a competitive salary, equity plan, and discretionary results-based incentive bonus opportunities, ensuring you're truly valued for your contributions.
• Wellness and Time Off: Embrace a healthy lifestyle with paid vacation, sick time, and company holidays, including a year-end shutdown to recharge. We support growing families with paid parental leave, recognizing the importance of bonding time.
• Comprehensive Health and Wellness: Prioritize your well-being with our comprehensive health and wellness benefits, offering both HMO and Premium PPO options. Additionally, benefit from company-sponsored life insurance and short and long-term disability coverage for peace of mind.
• Investment in Growth: We're committed to your professional development. Take advantage of reimbursement opportunities for learning and development initiatives, empowering you to continuously expand your skill set and reach peak performance.
• Collaborative and High-Performing Environment: Join our collaborative, dynamic, and high-performing team within a fast-paced, mission-driven company. Together, we're disrupting the traditional manufacturing industry, fostering innovation, and integrating people and technology to reduce our footprint.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Divergent is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any other applicable state or federal protected characteristic. Divergent provides affirmative action in employment for qualified Individuals with Disabilities and Protected Veterans in compliance with Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Vietnam Era Veterans’ Readjustment Assistance Act.
EEO Poster

In order to adjust to changes in our business, it may become necessary to add, remove or modify certain duties and responsibilities, or to reassign you to another job position. From time to time you may be asked to work on special projects or to assist with other work. Your cooperation and assistance in performing such additional work is expected.

E-Verify: Right to Work
Our company participates in E-Verify. E-Verify is a program that electronically confirms a candidate’s eligibility to work in the United States after completing the Employment Eligibility Verification (Form I-9). The information provided on the Form I-9 is compared to the records contained in the Social Security Administration and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) databases. This helps employers verify the identity and employment eligibility of newly hired employees.
Eligibility to Work Poster (English) | Eligibility to Work Poster (Spanish)

Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO)
Pursuant to the Los Angeles Fair Chance Initiative for Hiring Ordinance (FCIHO), we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

No agencies, no solicitations, and no calls please.