Category Manager - IT

Applied Materials•Austin, TX

2d•$141,000 - $193,500

About The Position

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world. You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more. At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits. Global Category Manager Global Sourcing & Procurement (GSP) | Global Category & Sourcing Applied Materials – Internal Draft Job Description Role Summary The Global Category Manager is the strategic owner of an assigned category of spend, accountable for defining the global category strategy and delivering outcomes across value capture, stakeholder experience, and risk management. This role sets direction (the “WHAT”) through category strategies, supplier portfolio and segmentation decisions, governance, and demand/value roadmaps, while enabling scaled execution (the “HOW”) through Strategic Sourcing Managers and the Sourcing Center of Excellence (SCoE). Operating in a center‑led ‘one house’ model, the Global Category Manager orchestrates cross‑functional alignment, ensures consistent global standards with regional nuance, and drives measurable business impact for Applied Materials. Role at a Glance Job Title Global Category Manager Organization Global Sourcing & Procurement (GSP) – Global Category & Sourcing Reports To Category Leader / Portfolio Leader (per org design) Primary Purpose Own the category strategy, supplier portfolio, governance, and outcome delivery across the enterprise. Primary Interfaces Business Unit leaders/stakeholders, Strategic Sourcing Managers, SCoE Leaders, Supplier Executives, Finance (Value Capture), Risk/TPRM, Contracting CoE/Legal, Operations/BPO Operating Model Category defines strategy and guardrails; Sourcing executes and refines through data/insights; one unified global team. Scope Anchors Global category strategy + wave plan; supplier segmentation and SRM; demand management; risk and compliance integration; category councils and performance governance. Mission Alignment (GSP “Definition of Winning”) Value Capture: establish multi‑year value levers (savings, cost avoidance, productivity, revenue enablement) and deliver results through a governed pipeline. Client Journey: build proactive stakeholder engagement models and predictable delivery experiences through clear intake, governance, and communication. Risk Management: embed third‑party and supply‑market risk thinking into category strategies, supplier decisions, and contracting guardrails. Optimize Capability: enable the organization through playbooks, standards, and a talent pipeline that improves execution quality over time.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Business, Supply Chain, Engineering, Finance, or a related field (or equivalent practical experience).
Demonstrated category management leadership: building and executing category strategies, supplier segmentation, and governance models.
Strong commercial expertise: negotiations, contract strategy, and total cost/value analysis in complex, multi‑stakeholder environments.
Proven ability to lead in a global, matrixed organization—driving alignment across regions, functions, and senior stakeholders.
Experience integrating risk and compliance considerations into supplier and category decisions.

Nice To Haves

Experience in semiconductor or high‑tech indirect categories (e.g., IT, facilities, technical services, labor/services) and global supplier ecosystems.
Experience with structured category strategy programs, analytics-enabled decision making, and formal value capture governance.
Professional certifications (e.g., CPSM, CIPS, CPM) and/or MBA/MS in a relevant discipline.
Experience leading transformations (process standardization, operating model change, digital procurement tools) and scaling best practices.