Manager, Category Sourcing

QTS Data Centers; Duluth (GA); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Roth and Traditional 401(k) matching

Stock Purchase Plan

Wellness program

Tuition Reimbursement Program

Paid Holidays

Parental Leave

Volunteer days

Job summary

QTS Data Centers in Duluth, GA seeks a Manager, Category Sourcing to lead and optimize strategic sourcing for critical data center categories. You will manage enterprise agreements, negotiate with vendors, and drive cost savings while mitigating risk across direct and indirect categories.

The role requires a proven track record in contract development, large-value vendor relations, and leadership of a procurement team. Candidates with data center experience and CPSM/MBA are preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply-Chain, Engineering, Business Administration, Management, Operations, Finance, or related field or equivalent experience.
• Five+ years of relevant experience in Sourcing, Procurement, and/or Supply-Chain.
• Experience in contract development, execution, negotiation, and management of vendor relationships over $50M annually.

Responsibilities

• Develop a world-class category management strategy across assigned categories.
• Coach and develop a team of category sourcing managers to outperform expectations.
• Lead execution of ongoing category management activities within assigned scope of spend categories to achieve business objectives and benefit targets.
• Ensure assigned categories contract portfolio is current and robust.
• Leverage buying power to enhance terms and increase total value.
• Monitor and report performance management initiatives to elevate team productivity.

Skills

Leadership

Sourcing

Negotiation

Vendor management

Contracting

Cost optimization

Team coaching

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply-Chain, Engineering, Business Administration, Management, Operations, Finance, or related field

MBA

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.

• 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

The Manager, Category Sourcing is responsible for leading the execution, and management of corporate sourcing initiatives for a variety of direct or indirect categories that build and sustain our data centers. The Manager will facilitate sourcing & other cost optimization opportunities to generate cost savings and risk mitigation for category spend under management. Categories could include, but are not limited to: Electrical, Mechanical, SG&A, IT, MRO, Facilities Maintenance and Data Connectivity depending on the assignment. This role is responsible for negotiating complex/competitive programs, owning enterprise agreements, and communicating to line of businesses the value propositions of teams assigned category groupings. The Manager will support Category Sourcing Managers on their team where support is needed to deliver business goals. This role will serve as the day-to-day leader of execution of duties for their assigned Category Sourcing Managers. The Manager role will report to the Sr. Manager, Category Sourcing and will be expected to collaborate on process improvements and strategic initiatives with the departmental leaders to drive the Category Sourcing function and supported business groups forward.

RESPONSIBILITIES, Other Duties As Assigned.

• Develop a world-class category management strategy across assigned categories.
• Coach and develop a team of category sourcing managers to outperform expectations.
• Lead execution of ongoing category management activities within assigned scope of spend categories to achieve business objectives and benefit targets.
• Ensure assigned categories contract portfolio is current and robust.
• Leverage buying power to enhance commercial terms and increase total value.
• Monitor and Report performance management initiatives to elevate team productivity.
• Stay attuned to market dynamics and industry intelligence to react appropriately to new challenges.
• Develop supplier and industry category profiles and strategies for assigned categories in support of creating a best-in-class supply chain design.
• Ensure Category Sourcing Managers execute 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.
• Serve as first point of escalation for Category Sourcing Managers for their assigned category.
• Negotiate supply opportunities with vendors in assigned categories.
• Participate in QBRs and provide guidance to Category Sourcing Managers on best practices.
• Function as key support role for line of business for assigned categories.

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Supply-Chain, Engineering, Business Administration, Management, Operations, Finance, or a related field; or equivalent professional experience.
• Five or more years of relevant experience in Sourcing, Procurement, and/or Supply-Chain.
• Experience in contract development, execution, negotiation, and management of vendor relationships more than $50M in annual value.

Preferred Qualifications

• Procurement certification (e.g., ISM CPSM).
• MBA, or relevant post graduate degree.
• Experience working for or supporting a data center provider (multi-tenant data center, hyperscale user, or equipment provider).

Knowledge, Skills, And Abilities

• Exhibit excellent people 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 critical thinking skills.
• Ability to resolve conflicts and solve problems.
• Initiative-taking and goal driven.
• Proven skill in building culture within a team across multiple locations.
• Ability to work independently, with minimal supervision, on multiple, concurrent projects of varying complexity and competing priority.
• Demonstrated ability to lead through action.
• Skilled in building relationships with key stakeholders to gather category requirements, specifications from departments, and category subject matter experts.
• Experience executing long range sourcing plans for assigned categories to reduce total costs, optimize value from suppliers, and meet internal customer requirements.
• Demonstrated company-wide procurement performance within one or more indirect categories or an equivalent combination of education, training, or experience.

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.

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.

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