Category Manager

Microsoft•Chandler, AZ

About The Position

In alignment with Microsoft values, this role contributes to cultivating an inclusive work environment. The Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) organization powers Microsoft’s core cloud platforms and services. The CO+I Supply Chain, Operations and Unified Technology (“SCOUT”) procurement team is responsible for establishing a flexible, efficient, and reliable supply chain to support complex datacenter operations. This critical role focuses on the data center operations Supply Chain within Microsoft's mission to empower every person and organization on the planet to achieve more. Employees are encouraged to foster a growth mindset, innovate, and collaborate to achieve shared goals, upholding values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create an inclusive culture.

Requirements

Master's Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND 3+ years experience in data science/analytics, finance, project management, supply chain, and/or operation OR Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance OR related field AND 4+ years experience in data science/analytics, finance, project management, supply chain, and/or operations OR equivalent experience
Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements.
Ability to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

Nice To Haves

Strong commercial understanding and experience driving and developing contracts on key categories (General Contractors, Mechanical & Electrical Equipment, Power Generation, Construction Services, Operations Services).
Experience of collaborating with key stakeholders to jointly develop and implement category strategies to drive efficiencies, improve performance delivery and reduce costs.
Experience of developing and enhancing supplier relationships.
Data driven mindset to support continuous improvement and accurate reporting.
Growth mindset to explore new technologies, new ways of working and new contracting methods.
Knowledge of data center industry and experience managing a variety of project delivery methods - ability to lead a project team in defining risk and developing the appropriate contracting and compensation approach.
Technical ability to write contracts, ability to set up sourcing plans and negotiation strategies and execute them.
Excellent communicator that can interact with diverse groups across organizational levels.
Familiarity with common process improvement methodologies (Lean, Six-Sigma, etc.) and ability to facilitate change management.
Ability to implement new processes and get buy in from a cross functional team.
Category Management experience in one or more key categories including General Contractors, Mechanical & Electrical Equipment, Construction Services, Operations Services.
Skilled project management experience plus exceptional communication and influencing skills
Experience with Global and regional planning and development

Responsibilities

Define and execute a sourcing strategy for one or more complex purchasing categories within datacenter critical environment equipment maintenance and services to ensure optimal costs and a sufficient continuity of supplies.
Share industry and category expertise across stakeholder teams to develop and execute sourcing strategies.
Integrate business specifications into sourcing events.
Define and manage supplier scorecard criteria, coordinate performance reviews, and drive corrective actions.
Manage contract and pricing negotiations for a single purchasing category.
Influence senior managers, adopt practices, and apply market intelligence to enable quality execution.
Educate stakeholders to ensure compliance, adapting policy as needed to mitigate risk.
Drive consistency, timeliness, and quality of deliverables, ensuring stakeholders are aware of Service Level Agreements.
Process or support stakeholder procurement requests for CE equipment maintenance and services via engagement.
Execute contracts and comply with established control processes, identifying roadblocks and taking action to resolve them as needed.
Develop pricing and negotiation strategies, gaining senior executive support and mitigating contract disagreements.
Drive early business engagements for complex business areas.
Collaborate with suppliers and leads on onboarding processes.