Category Lead, Capital Equipment – CAPEX
Job Description:
- Develop and execute multi-year capital equipment category strategies aligned with business objectives, technology roadmaps, manufacturing requirements, and capital investment plans
- Analyze spend data, market intelligence, supplier capabilities, and industry trends to identify sourcing opportunities and long-term value creation
- Partner with Engineering, Product Development, Global Operations, Manufacturing, Finance, and other stakeholders on equipment sourcing decisions
- Support capital planning and budgeting through cost forecasting, market insights, lead-time analysis, and sourcing recommendations
- Lead end-to-end sourcing activities, including RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, supplier evaluations, bid analysis, negotiations, supplier selection, and contract awards
- Negotiate master purchase agreements, statements of work, maintenance agreements, support contracts, warranties, SLAs, leasing arrangements, and other supplier commitments
- Optimize total cost of ownership, drive savings and cost avoidance, and improve working capital and productivity
- Establish preferred supplier frameworks and standardization strategies
- Develop strategic relationships with equipment manufacturers, technology providers, and service partners
- Implement supplier relationship management practices, business reviews, scorecards, continuous improvement, and executive engagement
- Evaluate supplier performance and resolve issues through corrective actions
- Support supplier innovation and technology advancement opportunities
- Provide procurement leadership for NPI, manufacturing readiness, laboratory expansion, automation initiatives, capital business cases, investment approvals, and vendor selection
- Monitor capital expenditures and forecast spending with Finance
- Ensure compliance with procurement policies, contracts, governance, and regulatory requirements
- Assess and mitigate commercial, supplier, technology, capacity, and supply chain risks
- Support asset lifecycle management, including upgrades, service transitions, end-of-life planning, redeployment, and optimization
- Establish category KPIs, dashboards, and reporting for leadership
- Track and communicate savings, supplier performance, risk exposure, and strategic initiative progress
- Drive procurement process improvements and adoption of best practices
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field
- 7+ years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or category management
- Experience managing capital equipment, laboratory infrastructure, manufacturing technology, automation systems, test equipment, or related CapEx categories
- Track record leading complex commercial negotiations and delivering measurable cost savings, TCO improvements, and business value
- Strong understanding of contract development, risk management, supplier performance management, and sourcing strategy
- Experience influencing cross-functional stakeholders across Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Finance, and Legal organizations
- Strong analytical, communication, project management, and problem-solving skills
- Experience utilizing ERP systems and procurement technologies
- Preferred: MBA, Master's degree, or equivalent advanced education
- Preferred: CPSM, CIPS, APICS/CPIM, or equivalent professional certification
- Preferred: Experience in telecommunications, networking technology, electronics manufacturing, high-tech, or advanced manufacturing industries
- Preferred: Global procurement and multi-site category management experience
- Preferred: Familiarity with capital investment planning, equipment lifecycle management, laboratory operations, manufacturing automation, and technology development environments
- Preferred: Experience with sourcing analytics, business intelligence tools, and e-sourcing platforms
Benefits:
- Discretionary incentive bonus eligibility for non-sales employees
- Medical, dental, and vision plans
- 401(K) with company matching in the USA
- DCPP with company matching in Canada
- Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP)
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Company-paid holidays
- Paid sick leave
- Vacation time
- Paid Family Leave and other leaves of absence
- Accommodation measures for candidates who require them
