Category Manager, Data Centers
We are seeking a Senior Category Manager - Data Center Infrastructure to lead global sourcing, procurement, and supply chain strategy for core data center hardware and supporting technologies. This role oversees the full category lifecycle, manages large-scale spend, and leads a team of procurement professionals responsible for enabling fast, reliable, and cost‑effective data center growth.
The ideal candidate brings strong technical and commercial knowledge of data center infrastructure, experience managing major supplier relationships, and the ability to operate in fast‑moving, supply‑constrained markets.
Key Responsibilities
Category Strategy
- Develop and execute the global category strategy for data center hardware, including servers, networking equipment, storage systems, racks, and infrastructure components.
- Monitor technology trends and market conditions to guide sourcing strategies and investment decisions.
- Optimize category spend while balancing cost, scalability, reliability, and risk.
Sourcing & Procurement Execution
- Lead end‑to‑end sourcing activities, including market intelligence, supplier strategy, RFP/RFQ processes, and contract negotiations.
- Build cost models, conduct TCO analyses, and evaluate competitive benchmarks.
- Structure and negotiate long‑term supply agreements and capacity commitments with key suppliers.
Stakeholder & Supplier Management
- Partner with engineering, operations, finance, legal, and data center teams to align procurement activities with technical and deployment needs.
- Manage supplier relationships, performance, and risk across quality, delivery, cost, and innovation.
- Identify and mitigate supply, capacity, and geopolitical risks.
Team Leadership
- Lead and develop a high‑performing procurement and category management team.
- Establish consistent processes, performance standards, and data‑driven decision‑making practices.
Required Experience
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field.
- 10+ years in procurement, sourcing, or supply chain leadership.
- Experience managing large‑scale infrastructure categories and high‑value negotiations.
- Strong people leadership and stakeholder management skills.
- Success operating in dynamic, fast‑growth environments.
- Supply chain or procurement certifications (e.g., CPSM, CSCP, CIPS).
- Experience with data center operations, cloud infrastructure, or large‑scale technology environments.
- Strong analytical skills across cost modeling, forecasting, and market analysis.
FAQs
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