Strategic Category Manager – Capital Projects

Applied Digital develops high-performance computing and hyperscale data center infrastructure for AI and machine learning workloads. The Strategic Category Manager – Capital Projects will develop and execute global category strategies, lead strategic sourcing and supplier management, negotiate contracts, and manage procurement execution for critical equipment across multiple data center projects.

Responsibilities:

• Develop and execute global category strategies for capital equipment and services supporting HPC data center builds
• Conduct market intelligence, supply base analysis, and capacity assessments
• Lead competitive sourcing events aligned with project schedules
• Manage procurement of critical OFCI equipment across multiple concurrent projects
• Coordinate purchase orders, manufacturing milestones, logistics, and site delivery
• Track long-lead items and proactively mitigate risks
• Establish and manage strategic supplier relationships
• Negotiate complex commercial agreements including MSAs and SOWs
• Partner with Legal and Finance to manage risk and scalability
• Drive cost savings and value creation initiatives
• Support budgeting, forecasting, and capital spend tracking
• Ensure compliance with procurement policies
• Serve as procurement partner to Engineering, Construction, Operations, and Finance
• Provide executive-level updates and reporting
• Prepare dashboards and decision-support materials

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field
• 7+ years of experience in strategic sourcing or category management
• Experience supporting data center or mission-critical capital projects
• Proven ability to manage long-lead capital equipment
• Strong negotiation and project management skills
• Experience in hyperscale or HPC data center environments
• Understanding of electrical and mechanical infrastructure
• Strong analytical and executive communication skills
• ERP and procurement system experience
• Willingness to travel as needed