Category Sourcing Manager - Corporate Services

qtsdatacenters; Duluth (GA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

QTS Data Centers seeks a Category Sourcing Manager to develop and manage corporate sourcing across direct and indirect categories, including IT, facilities, and data center infrastructure. You will analyze spend, negotiate complex contracts, and collaborate with business units to optimize total cost of ownership.

The role requires strategic sourcing experience, strong stakeholder management, and the ability to drive value through supplier partnerships across a national portfolio of data centers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree required in Procurement, Supply-Chain, or Engineering or related field.
• Seven+ years of experience in Sourcing, Procurement or Supply-Chain.
• Experience in contract development, execution, negotiation and management.
• Ability to build relationships with key stakeholders to gather category requirements.
• Experience leading change initiatives affecting organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead ongoing category management activities across spend categories within the assigned scope.
• Develop supplier profiles and category strategies for a best-in-class supply chain for data center providers.
• Identify and leverage company-wide spend opportunities.
• Coordinate Facilities' purchasing across the national portfolio of data centers.
• Lead supplier selection activities including RFI/RFP development and bid analysis.

Skills

Seven+ years experience

Stakeholder relationship building

Contract negotiation

Spend analysis

Education

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

MBA or Master's in Supply Chain

Tools

CPSM or procurement certification

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
• 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 and goal driven

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 orientati