Category Sourcing Manager - Contracts Manager TFO

QTS Data Centers; Overland Park (KS); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) matching

Paid time off

Stock Purchase Plan

Holidays

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

QTS Data Centers is seeking a Category Sourcing Manager to develop and manage corporate sourcing initiatives across direct and indirect categories. You will conduct complex data analysis to identify savings opportunities and negotiate programs that optimize total cost of ownership.

Collaboration with departments and senior management is essential. The role requires guiding suppliers, crafting long-term sourcing plans, and leading implementation across a national data center portfolio.

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.
• Experience developing long-range sourcing plans to reduce total costs.

Responsibilities

• Lead ongoing category management activities to achieve objectives and targets.
• Drive development of supplier and industry profiles and strategies for a best-in-class supply chain for data center providers.
• Identify and leverage company-wide spend opportunities across national portfolio of data centers.
• Coordinate facilities’ purchasing activities across national data centers.
• Lead supplier selection, RFI/RFP development, bid analysis, and long/short lists.

Skills

Stakeholder management

Data analysis

Negotiation

Sourcing strategy

Category management

Education

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

Job description

It’s exhilarating to find yourself at a pivotal moment in history— and even more so to be leading the way. At QTS Data Centers, we are proud to stand at the forefront of today’s dynamic digital transformation. Our world-class data centers empower our customers’ most strategic growth initiatives, positioning us as a global leader in digital infrastructure.

As AI and cloud technologies fuel the demand for increased speed, capacity, and innovation, QTS has emerged as the global digital infrastructure leader. We are committed to connecting the globe for good. Driven by purpose and a spirit of innovation, we design, build, and operate some of the most advanced data centers worldwide. In addition to our cutting-edge technology, we are dedicated to sustainability, incorporating renewable energy solutions to minimize our environmental footprint and drive meaningful impact. As a proud portfolio company of Blackstone, QTS is uniquely positioned to achieve ambitious growth and innovation goals.

At QTS, we are Powered by People. Our team members are the cornerstone of our culture, innovation, and growth. They are mission-driven, resourceful, and committed to making a positive impact in the communities where we live and work. Together, we’re achieving remarkable things and shaping the future of digital infrastructure.

And we’d like to invite you to join us.

Benefits

• 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 for primary and secondary caregivers
• Military Benefits Package
• QTS Charitable Matching Gift Program
• QTS Scholarship for Employee Dependents
• QTS Crisis Fund
• Wellness Program
• Tuition Reimbursement Program

Category Sourcing Manager ("CSM")

Category Sourcing Manager ("CSM") ("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