Category Manager - Lab & Test Equipment, Indirect Procurement

About the Role 

Vertiv is seeking an experienced, strategic Global Commodity Category Manager, Lab & Test Equipment to develop and execute the global procurement strategy for lab and test equipment. This role will support R&D, engineering validation, product development, certification, laboratory operations, and related CAPEX investments across Vertiv’s global footprint. 

The role is responsible for building a best-in-class global sourcing strategy and ensuring effective execution at the regional and site levels. The successful candidate will partner with Product Development and Engineering, Regional CAPEX Procurement Leads, Finance, and other cross-functional stakeholders to support Vertiv’s growth strategy. Key categories include power and electrical testing equipment, thermal and environmental testing equipment, measurement, instrumentation and calibration equipment, battery, energy storage and high-power testing systems, test automation and simulation technologies, and laboratory software and engineering platforms. 

This position will deliver measurable value through Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) optimization, supplier relationship management, risk mitigation, productivity improvements, and annual savings commitments while ensuring compliance with Vertiv’s CAPEX Governance and Savings Policies. 

Scope of Responsibility 

• Own the global category strategy for lab and test equipment, related CAPEX investments, specialized manufacturing equipment, and tooling. 
• Support R&D, engineering validation, certification, product development, laboratory operations, and manufacturing expansion needs across global regions. 
• Align global commodity strategy with regional execution plans, site requirements, Vertiv’s CAPEX governance process, and business growth priorities. 
• Serve as the primary procurement lead for supplier strategy, commercial negotiations, procurement standards, and lifecycle cost optimization within the category. 

Key Responsibilities 

Global Category Strategy 

• Develop and execute a global sourcing strategy for lab and test equipment that supports product development, capacity growth, automation, and operational productivity. 
• Drive standardization across equipment specifications, preferred suppliers, commercial terms, and regional buying practices. 
• Leverage global purchasing volume to improve cost, lead time, supplier performance, service support, and long-term category value. 

Supplier & Commercial Management 

• Build and manage a global supplier portfolio for critical test, measurement, validation, instrumentation, and laboratory equipment categories. 
• Lead RFQs, supplier evaluations, commercial negotiations, contract execution, and global framework agreements. 
• Act as the escalation point for supplier performance, delivery, service support, warranty, and commercial issue resolution. 

Cost, Savings & TCO 

• Deliver annual savings commitments and productivity improvements aligned to Vertiv’s savings policy and financial targets. 
• Apply Total Cost of Ownership analysis to sourcing decisions, including acquisition cost, installation, operating cost, maintenance, calibration, software, service, lifecycle support, and disposal. 
• Identify market, technology, and supplier innovation opportunities that reduce lifecycle cost and improve equipment utilization. 

Governance, Compliance & Risk 

• Ensure sourcing activities comply with Vertiv’s CAPEX Procurement Policy, Savings Policy, Delegation of Authority requirements, contracting standards, and applicable supplier onboarding processes. 
• Embed risk management into sourcing decisions, including supplier financial health, capacity, supply continuity, quality, service capability, cybersecurity requirements, and regional execution risk. 
• Support audit readiness through accurate sourcing documentation, approval traceability, supplier records, and savings validation. 

Stakeholder Partnership 

• Partner with Product Development and Engineering, Regional CAPEX Procurement Leads, Finance, Operations, Quality, Legal, and site teams to align procurement decisions with business, technical, and operational requirements. 
• Translate technical requirements into commercially executable sourcing plans that support project timing, validation needs, and regional deployment requirements. 
• Communicate category strategy, supplier decisions, risks, savings opportunities, and project status clearly to stakeholders and leadership. 

Success Measures 

• Achievement of annual savings and productivity targets. 
• Improved global supplier leverage, reduced regional fragmentation, and increased use of preferred suppliers. 
• Reduced total lifecycle cost for lab and test equipment purchases. 
• Improved supplier performance, lead time, service support, and risk visibility. 
• Consistent compliance with CAPEX governance, approval, contracting, and savings validation requirements. 

Qualifications & Experience 

Required 

• Bachelor’s degree in Procurement, Engineering, Business, Supply Chain, Operations Management, or a related discipline. 
• Minimum of 8 years of procurement experience, including significant experience in CAPEX equipment procurement. 
• Strong commercial acumen with proven experience in contract negotiation and supplier management. 
• Demonstrated ability to think strategically and develop and execute global commodity or category strategies. 
• Experience managing complex global sourcing projects across multiple stakeholders and regions. 
• Strong analytical, commercial, and financial skills. 
• Excellent communication, influencing, and stakeholder management capabilities. 
• Proficiency with ERP systems, including Oracle, and Microsoft Office applications. 
• Ability to travel globally approximately 25% of the time. 

Preferred Qualifications 

• Experience sourcing laboratory, electrical test, thermal test, environmental test, instrumentation, calibration, or automation equipment. 
• Experience supporting global CAPEX projects, manufacturing expansion, engineering labs, or product validation environments. 
• Working knowledge of supplier qualification, equipment lifecycle support, service agreements, warranty terms, and software-enabled test platforms. 
• Professional certification in supply chain, procurement, project management, or related discipline preferred. 

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