Global Category Manager OFCI Infrastructure

Job Description

Job Description

Salary: $130,000 -$150,000

About Our Hyper Scale Client

STRM Recruiting is proud to partner with a client who develops, acquires, and operates data centers for some of the world's largest enterprises. A private firm owned by a group controlling $6 billion in assets, with a 15-year tenure in technology and real estate development, the client provides customers with ownership options and dynamic leasing models, defining a true corporate partnership.

About the Role

We are seeking a strategic and results-driven Global Category Manager to lead our OFCI (Owner Furnished, Contractor Installed) commercial ecosystem. This is a high-impact role responsible for the end-to-end lifecycle of critical infrastructure equipment from cooling systems and electrical switchgear to generators and modular components.

You will be the primary architect of our OFCI strategy, ensuring that our commercial relationships, contract frameworks, and equipment pipelines are robust enough to support the client's rapid global expansion.

Location: Elk Grove Village Illinois
Type: Full-Time
Reports to: VP of Procurement

What You'll Do

• OFCI Strategy & Leadership: Develop and execute a comprehensive global category strategy for OFCI equipment. Define the "the clients Standard" for how we engage with OEMs to drive cost efficiencies and speed-to-market.
• Commercial Relationship Management: Act as the executive point of contact for global vendors. Build and maintain "Tier 1" partnerships that move beyond transactional buying into strategic capacity reservation.
• Complex Contract Negotiations: Lead the negotiation of Main Purchase Agreements (MPAs), Main Service Agreements (MSAs), and warranty frameworks. Ensure all contracts mitigate risk regarding lead times, liquidated damages, and performance.
• Pipeline & Capacity Allocation: Manage the global equipment allocation process. Match supplier production slots with our construction "need dates" across various international markets to ensure zero project downtime.
• Design Standardization & Innovation: Partner with the Engineering and Design teams to drive equipment standardization. Influence the Basis of Design (BOD) to ensure selected components are commercially viable and scalable globally.
• Cost Management: Drive Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) reductions through competitive bidding, volume leveraging, and index-based pricing models.
• Risk Mitigation: Monitor global supply chain health, identifying potential bottlenecks in raw materials or logistics that could impact OFCI delivery.

The Ideal Candidate

• Strategic Negotiator: You don't just "buy" equipment; you build commercial frameworks. You have a proven track record of negotiating 9-figure spends in the data center, semiconductor, or energy sectors.
• Data Center Expert: You understand the "guts" of a data center. You know the difference between a chilled water system and direct-to-chip cooling, and you know who the key players are in the electrical value chain and can talk to the scope both commercially and technically.
• Analytical Mindset: You can manage complex allocation matrices and delivery schedules across multiple time zones and currencies.
• Collaborative Partner: You can speak "Contract" with Legal, "Spec" with Engineering, and "Schedule" with Construction Managers.

Qualifications

• Experience: 812+ years in Global Sourcing, Category Management, or Supply Chain Leadership, specifically within the data center or heavy infrastructure space.
• Technical Knowledge: Deep familiarity with the OFCI procurement model and the specific challenges of owner-managed equipment in a contractor-led construction environment.
• Education: Bachelors degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, or Business.
• Location: While the role is remote, we have a strong preference for candidates in Denver, CO, or those willing to relocate to the area to foster closer collaboration with our local leadership hub.
• Travel: Ability to travel globally (approx. 20%) to visit supplier factories and site builds.

Benefits

• Base salary range - $130-$150K + competitive project and performance bonus program designed to reward delivery and impact
• 401k fully vested upon enrollment, up to a 4% employer match
• 100% employee premiums paid by employer for medical, dental, vision, life insurance, and disability
• Paid Time Off + Sick time