Category Manager

Job Description: Regional Category Strategy Manager MLP – Asia

Introduction to ASML Sourcing & Procurement

ASML’s supply chain is unique in the industry. As a system integrator in a complex ecosystem, ASML depends on suppliers for the majority of cost of goods sold.

This model enables flexibility and growth, while requiring suppliers to meet ASML’s standards for quality, logistics, technology, cost and sustainability.

Sourcing & Procurement builds the supplier capabilities needed to deliver ASML’s customer commitments, while managing short-term challenges and developing strategic, mutually beneficial supplier relationships. It is category-focused, with strong account management accountability for the total business relationship and material availability, supported by Centers of Excellence for escalations and cross-functional cluster support.

The position

As Regional Category Strategy Manager Asia, you will shape the Asian long-term supplier strategy for critical products in Machined Ceramics and Glass, optical components and assemblies, light sources, silicon-based devices, metrology and photonics.

A key responsibility will consist of scouting and developing the Asia supply chain for the afore mentioned technologies, with a special eye to securing ASML cost and quality goals; this includes enabling and nurturing relationships at multiple levels in the organization, at ASML and its suppliers

You will work at the intersection of technology, business strategy and supplier ecosystem development, influencing decisions central to ASML’s ability to scale, innovate and serve customers.

The role co-defines, aligns and drives category strategies and supplier selections, ensuring stakeholder alignment and effective execution at supplier and account level.

You will collaborate with the Industrial Strategy Department on key make-buy decisions.

Given their strategic importance, category strategies require alignment and approval from ASML the leadership of Business Lines and of Development & Engineering (D&E), as well as the relevant Board of Management representatives.

Key deliverables and responsibilities

• Lead Asia supplier landscape development, including supplier scouting, pre-screening, site visits, benchmarking, competency mapping, and supplier shortlisting.
• Build a structured Asia supplier-development funnel linked to category strategy, technology roadmaps, benchmarking supplier readiness in terms of Quality, Logistics, Technology, Cost, Sustainability (QLTCS) performance, Intellectual Property protection readiness, and fit with ASML strategy and way of working.
• Identify supplier capability gaps and define development actions to enable manufacturing of high complexity components, assemblies, modules, in support of present and future technology requirements.
• Translate regional supplier intelligence into strategic recommendations for supplier selection, supplier development, capability investment, risk mitigation, and executive decision-making.
• Co-develop and maintain global category strategies, including long-term vision, supplier landscape, technology roadmaps, commercial models, risk-reward considerations and business alignment.
• Drive approved category strategies at supplier and account level, monitor deployment gaps and resolve or escalate issues.
• Prepare supplier selection proposals, stakeholder alignment and decision-making forums.
• Ensure Sourcing & Procurement is engaged early in design, requirement definition and specification development for new product introductions.
• Represent the category in cross-functional forums, working closely with D&E and Research & Technology and securing executive support where required.
• Support Industrial Strategy in make-buy assessments.
• Advance internal and supplier technology roadmaps by defining targets, supporting decision points and aligning priorities across functions.

Purpose of the category strategies

• Secure long-term supply chain capabilities for ASML’s business goals.
• Build resilience and business continuity in critical supply chains.
• Enable ASML technology roadmaps while protecting intellectual property.
• Support ASML and customer cost and quality roadmaps.
• Contribute to ASML ESG ambitions and manage business cycles.

Candidate profile: education, experience and background

• Experience working with suppliers in Asia is beneficial and can help accelerate the effectiveness within the role
• Master’s or PhD degree, preferably in a technical, business, supply chain or strategy-related field.
• Typically 10–15 years of experience in advanced technology, such as semiconductor, defense, telecom or a similar industry.
• Strategy experience in a large international company or consulting; commercial experience in sourcing, account management or product management is an advantage.
• Strong technical background in semiconductor equipment design and/or manufacturing.

Skills and personal qualities

• Strong analytical and conceptual thinking, with the ability to simplify and structure complex issues.
• Ability to influence without formal authority and drive decisions using technology, commercial, geopolitical and execution insights.
• Ability to translate data, observations and business context into strategic recommendations and actionable plans.
• Strong collaboration skills with internal and external leaders, partners and stakeholders, including the ability to find workable compromises.
• Management maturity, organizational awareness and sound judgment in multidisciplinary and virtual teams.
• Clear, concise and impactful communication, including presentations to senior executives and decision-making bodies.
• Planning discipline, execution focus, entrepreneurship and resilience in a demanding, fast-changing environment.

The team

The Category Strategy Manager will be based in Tokyo and report to the Head of Cluster Strategy for the MLP cluster, who is based in Veldhoven, the Netherlands. The Category Strategy team consists of 7–8 experienced professionals located in the Netherlands, the USA and Asia. It works closely with the Industrial Strategy MLP team and Asia Transfers program; together, the extended team counts about 15 people. Close collaboration with the wider MLP cluster, especially account teams, is essential.

Inclusion and diversity

ASML is an Equal Opportunity Employer and values a diverse and inclusive workforce. The company recruits, hires, trains and promotes people without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity. Inclusion and diversity are key to ASML’s success, and we welcome candidates from different backgrounds who can strengthen both the team diversity and cohesion.

This position requires access to controlled technology, as defined in the United States Export Administration Regulations (15 C.F.R. § 730, et seq.). Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to access such controlled technology prior to beginning work. Business demands may require ASML to proceed with candidates who are immediately eligible to access controlled technology.

Inclusion and diversity

ASML is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that inclusion and diversity is a driving force in the success of our company.

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