Global Senior Category Manager – Infrastructure Solutions

Global Senior Category Manager – Infrastructure Solutions

Job Summary

Equinix is seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Senior Category Manager to lead our Infrastructure Solutions team with a focus on delivering Whitespace Product Inventory and Distribution Agreements within the IBX Operations team. This is a management role with direct reports, where you will collaborate closely with Operations, Product, and Sales team leaders to drive strategic initiatives that deliver best in class customer deployments.

You will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive category strategy that maximizes market value and aligns with our organizational goals. Your ability to engage cross-functional stakeholders will be crucial in securing buy-in for regional and global category sourcing plans that deliver measurable business benefits.

Responsibilities

Leadership

• Identify, negotiate, and deliver Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) improvement opportunities across the category, focusing on cataloguing, and inventory and distribution agreements

• Manage and mentor a team of category specialists, fostering a culture of collaboration and continuous improvement

Cost Reduction

• Drive process improvements and implement best practices to eliminate inefficiencies across multiple products and solutions

Category Management

• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert for the Inventory and Distribution category. Develop and implement sourcing strategies using spend analytics to profile and segment suppliers, prioritizing efforts and setting clear targets

Negotiation of Agreements

• Lead negotiations for cataloguing, inventory, and distribution agreements, ensuring favorable terms that align with Equinix's strategic objectives

Spend Management

• Collaborate with stakeholders to create a comprehensive Category Plan and lead the issuance of Category RFPs, ensuring effective execution and communication with internal and external parties

Contract Management

• Develop and manage Framework Contracts with Legal to meet regional and global requirements. Oversee the onboarding process for new vendors, including due diligence and approval of new vendor creation requests

Supplier Management

• Manage supplier relationships, including ranking and risk assessment. Foster long-term partnerships to facilitate feedback and optimize supplier performance, focusing on quality, service, and delivery

IT Liaison

• Collaborate with IT teams to ensure seamless integration of inventory and distribution systems, leveraging experience with Coupa or similar procurement platforms

Risk Management

• Conduct supplier ranking assessments and implement risk mitigation strategies in alignment with the Enterprise Risk Management policy

KPIs

• Track and report on key deliverables, including contract awards, supplier performance, cost savings, and cash release. Provide monthly performance reports to stakeholders

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in category management covering global inventory and distribution agreements

• 5+ years experience designing / deploying whitespace solutions in data centers

• SME level knowledge and experience of Whitespace products (cabinets, connectivity, HAC/CAC, rPDU, etc…)

• Strong negotiation skills with a track record of developing strong supplier relationships while delivering cost savings

• Familiarity with Coupa or similar procurement systems is a plus

• Excellent analytical skills and exceptional communication abilities

• Previous management experience with direct reports is essential