Category Manager

Category Manager

About CoolIT, An Ecolab Company

Founded in Calgary, Alberta in 2001, CoolIT Systems is the leading Direct Liquid Cooling technology provider for data centers, supercomputers, and desktop computers. We design and manufacture solutions used by the largest tech companies globally.

Recognized as one of “The Americas’ Fastest Growing Companies 2023” by Financial Times and honored with the Deloitte Fast 50 Clean Technology award in 2022, as well as the Deloitte Fast 500 distinction in both 2021 and 2022, CoolIT's rapid growth is capturing global attention.

As demand for generative AI, high performance computing and cloud solutions rapidly expands, there has never been a more exciting time to join our team.

WHAT YOU’LL DO:

Role:

We are seeking an experienced Category Manager to lead supplier and category management activities, drive cost savings, mitigate supply chain risks, and ensure a secure supply of materials and services. This role is responsible for developing and executing sourcing strategies, managing supplier performance and contracts, negotiating supply agreements, and leveraging market intelligence to support data-driven decision making. The successful candidate will work closely with cross-functional teams including Engineering, Finance, and Supplier Quality to support business objectives while maintaining strong supplier relationships and ensuring compliance with quality, regulatory, and financial requirements. Candidates should have 8+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management, and supply chain operations, with strong negotiation, analytical, and relationship-building skills.

Responsibilities:

Strategic sourcing of materials (e.g., parts, components, and assemblies) that reflects the needs of the business with alignment to SCM Sourcing Strategies, quality requirements, including QMS documentation, regulatory, and financial frameworks.

Leveraging market intel data analysis to drive decision making.

Supplier performance, contract management, Supplier Relationship and Performance Management (SRPM) including supplier scorecards, addressing cost of poor performance, executing cost recovery activities, contract execution and management, etc.

Global supplier engagement with ownership of the Supplier Lifecycle (SLM), from identification through to supplier offboarding.

Vendor master management in the ERP (NetSuite).

Drive supplier negotiations creating and/or renewing supply agreements that deliver cost savings, avoidance, mitigate risk, secure supply, and meet lead times, etc.

Establish and maintain internal customer relationships with teams including Finance, Supplier Quality, Engineering, etc.

Define respective strategic sourcing strategies by category to drive business strategy and operational objectives.

WHO YOU ARE:

Basic Qualifications:

8+ years of experience in strategic sourcing, category and supplier management, and supply chain management.

Post secondary within Supply Chain Management, Business, and/or Engineering

Own and negotiate on supplier MSAs

Develop/execute category sourcing strategies

Preferred Qualifications:

NetSuite experience (updating data and transacting)

SCMP or CPSM certified

Global supplier experience

Training and mentorship experience

Familiar with technical drawings and specifications

Skills:

Ability to work in fast paced environments

Strong communication

Negotiation skills

Organized and ability to prioritize

Relationship building

Critical thinking and ability to make data backed decisions

WHY COOLIT?

We strive to be an employer of choice and as such we believe in rewarding our employees with career and development opportunities that will maintain and strengthen our culture while aligning to our vision and values.

We thank every candidate in advance, however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted.

Successful candidates for this position will be required to undergo background checks including criminal records check and education.

Our Commitment to a Culture of Inclusion & Belonging

Ecolab is committed to fair and equal treatment of associates and applicants and furthering the principles of Equal Opportunity to Employment. We will recruit, hire, promote, transfer and provide opportunities for advancement based on individual qualifications and job performance in all matters affecting employment, compensation, benefits, working conditions, and opportunities for advancement. Ecolab will not discriminate against any associate or applicant for employment because of race, religion, color, creed, national origin,citizenship status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and expressions, genetic information, marital status, age, or disability.