Category Sourcing Manager

qtsdatacenters; Duluth (GA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

QTS Data Centers is seeking a Category Sourcing Manager to lead corporate sourcing across multiple categories including Electrical, IT, MRO and facilities. You will analyze spend, negotiate complex contracts, and drive cost savings while collaborating with internal stakeholders and senior management.

The role requires 7+ years in Sourcing/Procurement, a Bachelor's in a related field, and ideally an MBA. You will work across a national portfolio of data centers to optimize procurement and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree or equivalent professional experience in procurement or supply chain.
• Seven+ years of sourcing/procurement experience.
• Experience in contract development, execution, negotiation and management.
• Experience building stakeholder relationships to gather requirements.
• Experience leading change initiatives with significant organizational impact.
• Experience developing long-range sourcing plans to reduce costs.

Responsibilities

• Lead category management activities within assigned spend categories to meet objectives.
• Develop supplier profiles and strategies for best-in-class supply chain for data centers.
• Identify and leverage company-wide spend opportunities.
• Coordinate Facilities purchasing across a national data center portfolio.
• Lead supplier selection including RFI/RFP development and bid analysis.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for high-spend, complex categories.
• Provide strategic guidance for total cost of ownership models used in sourcing decisions.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Multitasking

Follow-up

Planning and organization

Independent work

Conflict resolution

Self-motivation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply-Chain, or Engineering

MBA or Master's in Supply Chain (preferred)

Job description

Who we are:

As a global leader in digital infrastructure, QTS designs, builds and operates advanced data centers that support strategic AI, cloud and digital transformation initiatives. We are driven by a mission to connect the world for good and our people make it possible. Every single day, the creativity, dedication and genuine care for our communities are what push us forward and make this a truly special place to be.

The Category Sourcing Manager (\"CSM\") is responsible for developing, executing, and managing corporate sourcing initiatives for a variety of direct and indirect categories, depending on expertise. CSM will perform complex data analysis to identify new sourcing & other cost optimization opportunities to generate cost savings for categories managed. Categories would include, but not limited to: Electrical, Mechanical, Capital Improvement Projects, SG&A, IT, MRO, Facilities Maintenance, Data Center Infrastructure Fit-outs and Data Connectivity. CSM is responsible for negotiating complex/competitive programs & communicating to line of businesses and Senior Management the value propositions associated with Category proposals. CSM will work collaboratively with internal user departments to facilitate, optimize and execute the purchase and corporate governance of these spends categories within organization.

RESPONSIBILITIES, other duties as assigned.

• Lead ongoing category management activities within assigned scope of spend categories to achieve business objectives and benefit targets
• Drive development of supplier and industry category profiles and strategies to a \"best in class\" Supply-Chain for data center providers
• Identify and leverage company-wide spend opportunities
• Coordinate Facilities' purchasing activities across national portfolio of data centers
• Lead supplier selection & recommendation activities including qualitative/quantitative analysis, selection criteria, long/short lists, RFI/RFP development, and bid analysis
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for highest spend, greatest complexity, and most critical/strategic categories
• Provide strategic guidance to profiles and Total Cost of Ownership models used to support sourcing decisions
• Develop implementation strategy, responsibility assignments, communications plans, and timeline
• Lead implementation activities for categories with critical impacts to business and internal customers
• Monitor compliance with supplier agreements related to high spend scope area
• Develop long range sourcing plans for assigned categories to reduce total costs, optimize value from suppliers, and meet internal customer requirements
• Conduct thorough spend analysis, develop methodology and metrics tools to track progress
• Negotiate, review, and execute implementation of contractual arrangements per company policy and business objectives
• Identify and implement system solutions and best practices that optimizes indirect sourcing and procurement work practices
• Builds relationships with key stakeholders to gather category requirements and specifications from departments and category subject matter experts
• Ensure tactical execution of purchasing activities to meet routine business needs
• Drive value through innovation and collaboration with strategic suppliers and internal customers

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor's degree in Procurement, Supply-Chain, or Engineering or related field or equivalent professional experience
• Seven or more years of relevant experience in Sourcing / Procurement / Supply-Chain
• Experience in contract development, execution, negotiation and management
• Skilled in building relationships with key stakeholders to gather category requirements, specifications from departments, and category subject matter experts
• Experience in managing and leading change initiatives involving significant impacts to organization
• Experience developing long range sourcing plans for assigned categories to reduce total costs, optimize value from suppliers, and meet internal customer requirements
• Demonstrated company-wide procurement leadership experience within one or more indirect categories or an equivalent combination of education, training or experience

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• MBA or Master's degree in Supply Chain
• Experience working for or supporting a data center provider (multi-tenant data center, hyperscale user, or equipment provider)
• Procurement certification (e.g. ISM CPSM)

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES

Exhibit excellent interpersonal skills with all levels of the organization.

Use organizational skills to determine prioritization and appropriate multitasking.

Perform necessary and timely follow-up, escalating appropriately if necessary.

Strong planning, organization, decision-making, and problem-solving skills.

Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, on multiple, concurrent projects of varying complexity and competing priority.

Ability to resolve conflicts and solve problems

Self-motivated