Senior Manager, Category Sourcing

Senior Manager, Category Sourcing

As a global leader in digital infrastructure, QTS designs, builds and operates advanced data centers that support strategic AI, cloud and digital transformation initiatives. We are driven by a mission to connect the world for good and our people make it possible. Every single day, the creativity, dedication and genuine care for our communities are what push us forward and make this a truly special place to be.

The Senior 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 Senior 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 Senior 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 Senior Manager role will report to the Director, Category Sourcing position and will be expected to collaborate on process improvements and strategic initiatives with the Director to drive the Category Sourcing function 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, or Engineering. Business Administration, Management, Operations, Finance, or a related field or equivalent professional experience
• Seven or more years of relevant experience in Sourcing, Procurement, and/or Supply-Chain
• Three or more years leading a procurement sourcing team.
• 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, Master of Supply Chain
• 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.