Global Compressor Category Manager

Smardt Chiller Group; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer-paid medical and dental benefits

Retirement savings plan with employer contributions

Dynamic team and professional development opportunities

Job summary

Smardt Chiller Group is looking for a Global Category Manager in Phoenix, Arizona. In this position, you will manage strategic supplier relationships and lead negotiations ensuring optimal capacity allocation.

The role requires strong negotiation skills, technical knowledge in HVAC systems, and 10+ years of experience in supply chain management. The position offers competitive salary and comprehensive benefits including employer-paid healthcare from day one.

Join a dynamic team committed to energy-efficient solutions and a sustainable future.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of progressive supply-chain experience including category management.
• Experience in managing global suppliers and complex supply chains.
• HVAC industry background is preferred; knowledge of compressor technology.

Responsibilities

• Manage the relationship with the most critical compressor supplier.
• Lead high-impact negotiations for capacity allocation.
• Establish Rapid Response Protocol for Critical Quality Issues.

Skills

Relationship management

Negotiation skills

Understanding of HVAC systems

Ability to perform under pressure

Education

Bachelor’s degree in HVAC, mechanical engineering, or related field

Job description

About SMARDT

As a global pioneer in oil‑free centrifugal chiller technology with an expanding portfolio of thermal management solutions, Smardt is dedicated to delivering high‑efficiency and energy‑saving systems for industries, real‑estate developments, health care, and educational centers worldwide.

We operate manufacturing facilities in the United States, Canada, Germany, China, and Australia, with a team of over 900 employees. With a focus on reliability, performance, and environmental stewardship, Smardt continues to redefine industry standards through advanced engineering and a commitment to a more sustainable future.

What We're Looking For

The Global Category Manager (GCM) will exclusively manage our most critical compressor supplier, requiring a blend of commercial acumen, technical depth, and strategic diplomacy.

This role will act as the “Chief Negotiator” and “Crisis Lead” for this account, ensuring our company receives preferential treatment in capacity allocation and pricing. It will receive escalation from regions and represent Smardt to drive rapid‑response protocols for critical commercial, delivery, quality, and warranty issues while fostering seamless cross‑regional collaboration.

This role is 100% on‑site and you will be expected to work on a daily basis, side‑by‑side, with your team.

What You'll Do

Strategic Supplier Relationship & High‑Impact Negotiation

• Exclusive Account Management: Serve as the sole global point of contact for our most strategic compressor supplier. Manage all touchpoints from tactical purchasing to executive‑level engagement.


• Capacity Securement: Lead high‑impact negotiations to secure preferential capacity allocation. Develop compelling business cases to ensure our production lines receive uninterrupted supply ahead of competitors during market shortages.


• Commercial Optimization: Drive annual pricing negotiations and global agreement renewal.

Critical Quality Issues (CQI) Management & Liability Enforcement

• Rapid Response Leadership: Establish and enforce a stringent “Rapid Response Protocol” for all Critical Quality Issues (CQI). Work with Smardt expertise and the compressor supplier to work out immediate containment actions to minimize disruption to global production and field operations.


• Liability & Claims Management: Act as the lead negotiator regarding quality liability. Drive the supplier to promptly acknowledge responsibility for systemic defects and ensure swift settlement of cost recovery, including rework, scrap, and logistics. Work with Quality departments to push the supplier for rigorous Root Cause Analysis (RCA) and verification of corrective actions (8D) to prevent recurrence of serial defects.

Global Coordination & Communication

• Regional Liaison: Act as the central hub for our manufacturing sites across NA, EMEA, and APAC. Facilitate regular syncs to align on demand forecasts, inventory strategies, and local quality feedback loops.


• Unified Front: Collect inputs from regional supply‑chain and operation leaders to engage the supplier with one voice.


• Executive Reporting: Provide clear visibility to Global Leadership on supplier performance, risk mitigation status, and negotiation outcomes through monthly dashboards and quarterly business reviews.

Supply Chain Resilience

• Demand‑Supply Balancing: Work closely with Global Demand Planning to translate forecasts into firm supplier commitments. Manage the allocation strategy during shortage periods to ensure fair distribution across regions based on business priorities.


• Risk Mitigation: Monitor supplier financial health and operational bottlenecks. Develop and maintain contingency plans to de‑risk the single‑source dependency.

What You’ll Bring

Skills and Competencies

• Excellent relationship‑management skills with the ability to engage, negotiate, and manage key stakeholders and suppliers.


• Strong and confident negotiator with the ability to negotiate at all levels.


• Resilient and able to perform under pressure.


• Understanding of HVAC system/components and quality tools.

Education And Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in HVAC, mechanical engineering, or a related field, or related experience.


• 10+ years of progressive supply‑chain experience, including category management and strategic sourcing.


• Experience managing global suppliers and complex supply chains.


• HVAC industry background is preferred; basic understanding of compressor technology.


• Experience in managing stakeholders across multiple time zones.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary + annual performance bonus.


• 100% employer‑paid medical and dental benefits as of day 1.


• Tele‑health service paid by the employer.


• Retirement savings plan with employer contributions up to 6%.


• Monthly OPUS subsidy for those who take public transportation to work.


• Dynamic team within a high‑growth company.


• Company events and team‑building activities.


• Ongoing training and professional development opportunities.

All job offers at Smardt are conditional on successful background and reference checks, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Please note that Smardt does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters or employment agencies. In the absence of a signed services agreement with an agency or recruiter, we will not consider or agree to payment of any referral compensation or recruiter fee.

Equal Employment Opportunity

SMARDT is a proud equal‑opportunity employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and diverse workplace and welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, including but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, immigration status, or any other characteristic protected by law.