Category Sourcing Manager

QTS Data Centers; Irving (TX); On-site; USD 110,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) retirement plan

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid holidays and PTO

Stock Purchase Plan

Tuition assistance

Job summary

QTS Data Centers is seeking a Category Sourcing Manager to drive strategic procurement across direct and indirect categories for data center operations. You will analyze data, negotiate complex programs, and align with senior management on value propositions of category proposals.

You will lead supplier selection, RFI/RFP processes, and develop long-range sourcing plans to reduce total costs while ensuring compliant governance and effective cross-functional collaboration across internal teams.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply-Chain, or Engineering or equivalent professional experience.
• Seven or more years of relevant experience in Sourcing / Procurement / Supply-Chain.
• Experience building relationships with stakeholders to gather category requirements.
• Experience leading change initiatives impacting the organization.
• Experience developing long-range sourcing plans to reduce total costs.
• Experience in contract development, execution, negotiation and management.
• Procurement leadership experience across indirect categories.

Responsibilities

• Lead ongoing category management activities to meet business objectives and targets.
• Develop supplier/category profiles and strategies for best-in-class supply chain for data center providers.
• Identify and leverage company-wide spend opportunities.
• Coordinate facilities purchasing across national data centers.
• Lead supplier selection, RFI/RFP, bid analysis and recommendations.
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies for high-spend, complex categories.
• Provide guidance on Total Cost of Ownership models for sourcing decisions.
• Develop implementation strategies, assignments, communications, and timelines.
• Lead implementation for categories with significant business impact.
• Monitor compliance with supplier agreements in high-spend areas.
• Create long-range sourcing plans to reduce total costs and optimize vendor value.
• Perform spend analysis and develop metrics to track progress.
• Negotiate, review, and implement contractual arrangements per policy.
• Identify system solutions and best practices to optimize indirect sourcing.
• Build relationships with stakeholders to gather category requirements.
• Ensure tactical execution of purchasing activities to meet business needs.
• Drive value through collaboration with strategic suppliers and internal customers.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Sourcing strategy

Vendor negotiation

Data analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Contract management

Education

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

MBA or master's in supply chain

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.

Job Description

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.
• Skilled in building strong 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.
• Experience in contract development, execution, negotiation and management.
• 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 and goal driven.

TOTAL REWARDS

This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and HSA accounts; paid holidays; paid time off; paid volunteer days; employee assistance program; tuition assistance; parental leave; military leave assistance; QTS scholarship for dependents; wellness program, and other company benefits. This role is bonus eligible and may be eligible for equity.

In addition to a variety of benefit packages, QTS goes above and beyond for our employees:

• Roth and Traditional 401(k) matching contributions with immediate vesting
• Every employee is bonus or commission eligible
• Generous PTO, Paid Volunteer Days Plus Floating Holidays
• Stock Purchase Plan (SPP)
• 11 paid Holidays Annually/Holiday compensation when worked
• Pet and Legal Insurance
• Q-Rest Sabbatical Program
• Q-Anniversary Service Award Program
• Parental Leave
• Military Benefits Package
• QTS Charitable Matching Gift Program
• QTS Scholarship for Employee Dependents
• QTS Crisis Fund
• Wellness Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program

QTS is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Learn more: Equal Opportunity Employer/Veterans/Disabled

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or discrimination claim.

QTS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.

The "Know Your Rights" Poster is included here:

Know Your Rights (English)

Know Your Rights (Spanish)

The Pay Transparency Policy Is Available Here

Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster-Formatted

QTS - Powered By People