Data Center Liquid Cooling Strategy Lead

MAS HVAC, Inc; Dayton (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Gradian in Minnesota is seeking a Strategic Category Lead for Data Center Liquid Cooling to develop and execute multi-year category strategies, build market intelligence, and manage long-term supplier relationships in support of its growing liquid cooling business.

You will collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Finance to align sourcing with product roadmaps, drive cost reductions, and mitigate risks in a fast-growing environment.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Operations, or related field.
• 3+ years of experience in Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Supply Chain, Category Management, Supplier Management, Operations, or related discipline.
• Experience developing and executing category strategies and managing strategic supplier relationships.
• Experience sourcing engineered components or complex manufactured products.
• Experience within data center infrastructure, liquid cooling, HVAC, thermal management, industrial equipment, electronics, or fluid-handling applications is preferred.
• Demonstrated experience leading supplier selection, negotiations, and cost-reduction initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies for assigned data center liquid cooling components that align with business objectives and support long-term growth.
• Build market intelligence across supplier capabilities, technology trends, manufacturing processes, capacity, cost drivers, and supply chain risks.
• Develop and manage the strategic supplier landscape, including supplier segmentation, sourcing strategies, supplier selection, and long-term supplier relationships.
• Lead supplier negotiations and commercial strategies to optimize total cost of ownership, capacity, lead times, commercial terms, and supply continuity.
• Partner with Engineering and Product Development to influence product cost, manufacturability, sourcing decisions, and supplier selection early in the product lifecycle.
• Develop and execute cost reduction and value creation roadmaps through VAVE, competitive sourcing, localization, supplier development, and other total-cost initiatives.
• Identify and mitigate category and supplier risks, including capacity constraints, single-source exposure, geographic concentration, long lead times, and business continuity.
• Establish supplier performance expectations and drive continuous improvement across quality, cost, delivery, technology, capacity, and responsiveness.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Category management

Negotiation

Cross-functional collaboration

Analytical skills

Project management

Supplier management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent

Tools

ERP systems

Excel

Job description

Gradian in Minnesota is seeking a Strategic Category Lead for Data Center Liquid Cooling to develop and execute multi-year category strategies, build market intelligence, and manage long-term supplier relationships in support of its growing liquid cooling business.

You will collaborate with Engineering, Operations, Quality, and Finance to align sourcing with product roadmaps, drive cost reductions, and mitigate risks in a fast-growing environment.