IT Software Category Manager

Who We Are

Applied Materials is the global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to work beyond the cutting-edge, continuously pushing the boundaries of science and engineering to make possible the next generations of technology, join us to Make Possible® a Better Future. 

What We Offer

Salary:

$108,000.00 - $148,500.00

Location:

Austin,TX, Santa Clara,CA

At Applied, we prioritize the well-being of you and your family and encourage you to bring your best self to work. Your happiness, health, and resiliency are at the core of our benefits and wellness programs. Our robust total rewards package makes it easier to take care of your whole self and your whole family. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits. 

You’ll also benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more about careers at Applied.

Software Category Business Manager

As a Commodity Manager/Category Manager at Applied Materials, you support key business partners and deliver company-wide support for all Sourcing initiatives. Commodity Managers are expected to maintain the highest level of innovation, efficiency, partnership and compliance supporting the companies’ mission to “Make Possible”.

Global Sourcing and Procurement (GSP) is a global support organization, procuring the goods, services and contingent workforce required for Applied Materials to run the company and enable our employees to support our customers.

Our Sourcing categories include but are not limited to IT Hardware, Software, Services and Telecommunications, Consulting, Professional Services, Facilities, Real Estate, Equipment and Equipment Maintenance as well as Contingent Workforce.  

As a Global Commodity Business Manager (CBM), you will lead and execute all aspects of the sourcing process, such as: opportunity assessment, negotiations, RFx, supplier relationship and risk management for the IT category, specifically focused on ALL Software-related spend at Applied. You will partner with stakeholders to develop strategies around Applied Materials partnerships with software suppliers. You will be directly involved in the delivery of large projects and act as an advisor on commercial terms and sourcing methodologies. You will make recommendations based on your assessment of the market and provide business intelligence to your stakeholders that help drive project decisions.

You are curious, ask hard questions and challenge yourself and others to continuously improve. You will learn Applied Materials overall businesses and become a trusted advisor to partner with and guide our internal customers in their sourcing decisions. You should understand markets, the supply chain, and how the company business works to ensure that risks are mitigated and make sure the company survives extreme volatility in commodities. You will perform detailed spend analysis and study trends to identify and solve potential supply chain problems, and continually seek new opportunities for innovation.

Responsibilities:

• Strategic Sourcing: 
  • Conduct market analysis, predict future trends and design a category strategy together with the GSP leadership and major business stakeholders. Facilitate implementation of the approved sourcing strategies
  • Facilitate implementation of approved sourcing strategies.
  • Lead opportunity assessments, category strategies, supplier negotiations and supplier performance/relationship management for the projects and relationships in your portfolio.
  • Support the development and enhancement of category best practices, processes and templates related to supplier activities including spend management, sourcing engagement, contract templates, negotiations & RFx/vendor evaluation/selection.
  • Development of strategies that account for a global perspective. This may include determining rates across countries, suppliers to support local offices as well as working with local sourcing teams to provide guidance and support for local buying needs.
• Supplier Management:
  • Lead RFx creation/management, supplier communications, market research/analysis, data collection/analysis, and contract management, development and redlining (pricing, terms and conditions, SOWs, MSAs, etc.).
  • Conduct supplier negotiations and manage supplier performance including running quarterly reviews for top tier Suppliers.
  • Develop and maintain positive business relationships with key stakeholders and budget owners and collaborate with every partner in a personable, approachable manner.
• Spend Management:
  • Support spend management projects to achieve savings and process effectiveness.
  • Facilitate accurate transactions and ensure compliance.
  • Support the business in spend management projects that accomplish key objectives like savings, process effectiveness, supplier consolidation & management, risk reduction & management, improved visibility and control of expenditures.
• Stakeholder Management
  • Partner with stakeholders to develop and execute category strategies
  • Capture product and service requirements from business owners and stakeholders for roadmap strategy development and negotiation strategies
  • Partner closely with the business in the development of supplier award scenarios and recommendations for evaluation and decision-making.
  • Collaborate with Suppliers, budget owners, finance, accounting, legal, security to ensure appropriate review, approvals and documentation is in order to support compliance and due diligence.

Skills:

• You have demonstrated ability and passion to dissect/solve problems with a fact based, data driven, rigorous approach
• You can mentors and coach junior buyers managing smaller threshold projects
• You are a creative problem solver and negotiator.
• You thrive when multi-tasking and work best in a dynamic, fast-paced environment.
• You manage multiple projects and timelines within deadline
• You have excellent attention to detail and have strong analytical skills.
• Your collaboration and communication skills (both verbal and written) are demonstrably effective in a collaborative environment. 
• You communicate in a clear, concise and timely manner and operate effectively as a team player
• You have exceptional customer service skills.
• You are confident in managing and executing projects from start to finish.
• You are resourceful with a strong work ethic, committed to complete execution of projects and objectives.
• You are self-directed/driven with excellent organizational skills
• You are tech savvy and have a strong interest in working with technology

Experience:

• 8+ years of related indirect procurement and sourcing experience.  Experience includes negotiating with suppliers, category strategy development, contract negotiation, etc. 
• Extensive knowledge in Software, Cloud , SAAS and related IT and Engineering Software Sourcing.
• Experience working within a highly virtual team, ability to leverage technology and influence appropriately in a hybrid or globalized working environment.
• Experience working on a global scale with a variety of cultures as well as tax, financial controls and government regulations.  
• Experience in consulting and/or legal and/or finance is a plus
• Familiarity with procurement software (including systems like SAP, Ariba, SAP Fieldglass, ServiceNow), approval workflows, purchasing policy development and contracts.
• Excellent analytical skills and proficiency in Excel, Word, PowerPoint.  Tableau skills highly preferred.
• Bachelor’s Degree required with an analytical focus (Business, Economics, Accounting, Finance, Legal, Supply Chain, etc.) and/or Procurement, Supply Chain, Project Management and/or relevant industry certification(s) preferred.

At Applied Materials, we hire people who are eager to contribute to our culture, and we empower them to do just that. We take pride in thinking beyond our day-to-day job descriptions and encourage you to actively seek out opportunities to improve collaboration and partnerships with your stakeholders.

Company Facts: 

• Nasdaq listing: AMAT
• Fiscal 2024 Revenue: $27.2 billion
• Founded: November 10, 1967 
• Global Presence: 150 cities in 24 countries 
• Employees: ~34,000 worldwide 
• Patents: ~20,000 issued

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Yes, 10% of the Time

Relocation Eligible:

No

The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at [email protected], or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.