Manager, Category Management Contract Manufacturing

Manager, Category management (Mandarin Speaking)

Main Purpose of the Role

Lead the end-to-end management of Stainless Steel and Platinum Plating projects across Contract Manufacturing suppliers, ensuring successful development, industrialization, commercialization, quality, cost, delivery, and capacity readiness. Act as the primary interface between Pandora and Mandarin-speaking suppliers to drive project execution, risk management, and strategic supplier development. 

Key Responsibilities

Project Management

• Lead end-to-end execution of Stainless Steel and Platinum Plating projects from concept through mass production.
• Manage project timelines, milestones, risks, and stakeholder alignment to ensure on-time delivery.
• Drive supplier readiness for new product introductions (NPI), transfers, insourcing, and capacity expansions.

Supplier Management

• Serve as the primary contact for Mandarin-speaking suppliers in China and other relevant regions.
• Build strong supplier relationships and drive performance against agreed KPIs for quality, delivery, cost, and responsiveness.
• Conduct regular business reviews and implement corrective action plans where required.

Technical & Process Development

• Collaborate with Engineering, Quality, Product Development, and Operations teams to ensure successful plating development and qualification.
• Monitor Stainless Steel and Platinum Plating process capability, yield, and quality performance.
• Support technical troubleshooting and root cause analysis for project and production issues.

Commercial & Cost Management

• Lead cost analysis, benchmarking, and productivity initiatives within the plating category.
• Support commercial negotiations, cost-saving projects, and open-book costing discussions with suppliers.
• Drive continuous improvement in total cost of ownership (TCO).

Risk & Governance

• Identify supply, quality, capacity, and technical risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Ensure supplier compliance with Pandora standards, specifications, and contractual requirements.
• Escalate critical issues proactively and lead recovery plans when required.

Stakeholder Management

• Work closely with Quality, Master Planning, Procurement, Product Development, Manufacturing Engineering, Sustainability, and Finance teams.
• Provide regular project updates to senior leadership and ensure cross-functional alignment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Business Management, or related field.
• Experience managing Stainless Steel, electroplating, precious metal plating, surface finishing, or related manufacturing processes.
• Strong project management and supplier management experience.
• Fluent in Mandarin and English (spoken and written).
• Experience working with suppliers in China.
• Strong analytical, negotiation, stakeholder management, and problem-solving skills.

Key KPIs

• On-time project delivery
• Launch readiness achievement
• Supplier quality performance (PPM, reject rates)
• Cost reduction and productivity savings
• Capacity readiness
• Yield and plating performance improvement
• Supplier compliance and corrective action closure rate