What are the responsibilities and job description for the Category Manager - HPC Infrastructure position at NorthMark Strategies?
Overview
We are seeking a Category Manager - HPC Infrastructure to define and execute the global sourcing and supply chain strategy for Network and Storage Infrastructure supporting high-performance computing (HPC) and large-scale data center deployments. This role will own the end-to-end category lifecycle, including market intelligence, supplier strategy, sourcing, contracting, and competitive benchmarking, with annual spend responsibility of $500M to $1B .
The ideal candidate has deep expertise in networking and storage technologies, thrives in fast-paced, capacity-constrained environments, and brings strong experience managing long lead-time, high-demand infrastructure components across complex, multi-entity organizations.
Key Responsibilities
- Own and drive the global category management strategy for Network and Storage Infrastructure, including (but not limited to) high-speed networking, switching, interconnects, and storage platforms used in HPC data centers
- Lead the full source-to-contract lifecycle, including:
- -- Category market intelligence and technology road-mapping
- -- Supplier segmentation and sourcing strategy--
- -- RFP/RFQ execution and commercial negotiations
- -- Contract development, execution, and lifecycle management
- Develop and maintain cost models and competitive benchmarks to evaluate pricing, commercial structures, and supply strategies against industry peers
- Partner closely with engineering, infrastructure, architecture, finance, legal, and operations teams to align sourcing strategies with technical roadmaps and deployment requirements
- Design and execute supply chain strategies for capacity-constrained, long lead-time network and storage equipment
- Identify, assess, and mitigate supply, capacity, and technology risks, including vendor concentration, roadmap dependencies, and macroeconomic impacts
- Manage and optimize annual category spend of $500M–$1B , ensuring cost efficiency, scalability, and continuity of supply
- Drive supplier performance management, including capacity commitments, delivery assurance, quality, and innovation alignment
- Operate effectively in highly complex, multi-entity environments, coordinating across regions, business units, and legal entities
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required, with a strong preference for Supply Chain Management, Operations, Engineering, Business, or a related field
- 12 years of experience in category management, strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain leadership
- Proven experience managing large-scale infrastructure spend ($500M–$1B )
- Deep understanding of network and storage infrastructure within HPC or large-scale data center environments
- Strong background in supply chain strategy and execution for long lead-time, high-demand hardware
- Demonstrated ability to lead complex commercial negotiations and execute enterprise-level contracts
- Experience operating in fast-paced, high-growth, and ambiguous environments
- Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and executive-level influence
Preferred Qualifications
- Category management or supply chain certifications (e.g., CPSM, CSCP, CPM, CIPS, or equivalent)
- Experience supporting hyperscale, AI, cloud, or HPC infrastructure deployments
- Proven success working within matrixed, multi-entity, or global organizations
- Strong analytical capabilities, including cost modeling, benchmarking, and market analysis
Salary : $500