Strategic Category Lead

Gradian Thermal Solutions•Dayton, MN

6d•$85,000 - $115,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Strategic Category Lead - Data Center Liquid Cooling develops and executes category strategies for critical components supporting Gradian's liquid cooling business. This strategic individual contributor builds market and supplier knowledge, develops strategic supplier relationships, and drives long-term value across cost, quality, technology, capacity, and supply chain resiliency. The role partners with Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, and Finance to align category and supplier strategies with business objectives, product roadmaps, and long-term growth requirements.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Business, Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Operations, or a related field.
At least 3 years of experience in Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Supply Chain, Category Management, Supplier Management, Operations, or a related discipline.
Experience developing and executing category strategies and managing strategic supplier relationships.
Experience sourcing engineered components or complex manufactured products.
Demonstrated experience leading supplier selection, negotiations, commercial agreements, and cost-reduction initiatives.
Strong strategic thinking and category management capabilities.
Strong commercial negotiation and total cost management skills.
Ability to analyze market dynamics, supplier capabilities, manufacturing processes, and product cost drivers.
Ability to work effectively with Engineering and other cross-functional teams to influence sourcing and supplier decisions.
Strong analytical, fact-based problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
Strong project management, communication, and relationship-management skills.
Ability to build and maintain effective relationships with strategic suppliers and internal stakeholders.
Ability to adapt to rapidly changing business requirements and thrive in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.

Nice To Haves

Experience within data center infrastructure, liquid cooling, HVAC, thermal management, industrial equipment, electronics, or fluid-handling applications.

Responsibilities

Develop and execute multi-year category strategies for assigned data center liquid cooling components, aligned with business objectives and long-term growth.
Build market intelligence covering supplier capabilities, technology trends, manufacturing processes, capacity, cost drivers, and supply chain risks.
Develop and manage the strategic supplier landscape, including supplier segmentation, sourcing strategies, supplier selection, and long-term supplier relationships.
Lead supplier negotiations and commercial strategies to optimize total cost of ownership, capacity, lead times, commercial terms, and supply continuity.
Partner with Engineering and Product Development to influence product cost, manufacturability, sourcing decisions, and supplier selection early in the product lifecycle.
Develop and execute cost reduction and value creation roadmaps through VAVE, competitive sourcing, localization, supplier development, and other total-cost initiatives.
Identify and mitigate category and supplier risks, including capacity constraints, single-source exposure, geographic concentration, long lead times, and business continuity.
Establish supplier performance expectations and drive continuous improvement across quality, cost, delivery, technology, capacity, and responsiveness.