Strategic Category Lead, Data Center Liquid Cooling

Mas Hvac, Inc.; Dayton (MN); On-site; USD 85,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, vision, and dental plans

Short-term and long-term disability

Group term life insurance

HSA, FSA, and Dependent Care

8 paid holidays, 4 floating holidays,

401k matching

Annual safety shoe allowance

Education assistance program

Job summary

Gradian in Dayton, MN is seeking an experienced Strategic Category Lead for Data Center Liquid Cooling. You will develop multi-year category strategies, build supplier relationships, and align sourcing with roadmaps and growth objectives.

You will partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance to optimize total cost of ownership, drive cost-reduction initiatives, and mitigate supply risks while leading supplier negotiations and market analysis.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Operations, or a related field.
• 3+ years of experience in Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Supply Chain, Category Management, or related discipline.
• Experience developing category strategies and managing strategic supplier relationships.
• Experience sourcing engineered components or complex manufactured products; data center, liquid cooling, HVAC, or related field preferred.
• Proven experience leading supplier selection, negotiations, and cost-reduction initiatives.

Responsibilities

• Develop and execute multi-year category strategies for data center liquid cooling components.
• Build market intelligence on supplier capabilities, technology trends, and costs.
• Develop and manage strategic supplier landscape and long-term relationships.
• Lead supplier negotiations and total cost of ownership optimization.
• Collaborate with Engineering and Product Development to influence costs and sourcing decisions.
• Drive cost reduction and value creation through VAVE and localization.
• Identify and mitigate supplier risks and ensure supply continuity.
• Establish supplier performance expectations and drive continuous improvement.

Skills

Strategic thinking

Category management

Negotiation

Market analysis

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Communication

Relationship management

Cost awareness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Job description

Gradian in Dayton, MN is seeking an experienced Strategic Category Lead for Data Center Liquid Cooling. You will develop multi-year category strategies, build supplier relationships, and align sourcing with roadmaps and growth objectives.

You will partner with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance to optimize total cost of ownership, drive cost-reduction initiatives, and mitigate supply risks while leading supplier negotiations and market analysis.