Category Manager

Who are we?

A place where bold ideas are welcomed, human connection is valued, and everyone has the opportunity to shape their future.

A career at Equinix means being at the center of shaping what comes next and amplifying customer value through innovation and impact. You’ll work across teams, influence key decisions, and help shape the path forward. You’ll find belonging, purpose, and a team that welcomes you—because when you feel valued, you’re empowered to do your best work.

Who are we?

Equinix is the world’s digital infrastructure company®, operating over 260 data centers across the globe. Digital leaders harness Equinix's trusted platform to bring together and interconnect foundational infrastructure at software speed. Equinix enables organizations to access all the right places, partners and possibilities to scale with agility, speed the launch of digital services, deliver world-class experiences and multiply their value, while supporting their sustainability goals.

A career at Equinix means you will collaborate on work that impacts the world and be surrounded by endless opportunities to learn new skills and grow in varied directions. We embrace diversity in thought and contribution and are committed to providing an equitable work environment that is foundational to our core values as a company and is vital to our success.

Job Summary

Equinix is seeking a dynamic and results-oriented Senior Category Manager to lead our Infrastructure Solutions team with a focus on delivering Whitespace Product Inventory and Distribution Agreements within the IBX Operations team. This is an individual contributor role, where you will collaborate closely with Operations, Product, and Sales team leaders to drive strategic initiatives that deliver best in class customer deployments.

You will be responsible for developing and executing a comprehensive category strategy that maximizes market value and aligns with our organizational goals. Your ability to engage cross-functional stakeholders will be crucial in securing buy-in for regional and global category sourcing plans that deliver measurable business benefits.

Responsibilities

Leadership

• Identify, negotiate, and deliver Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) improvement opportunities across the category, focusing on cataloguing, and inventory and distribution agreements

Cost Reduction

• Drive process improvements and implement best practices to eliminate inefficiencies across multiple products and solutions

Category Management

• Serve as the Subject Matter Expert for the Whitespace categories with emphasis on inventory and distribution concepts. Develop and implement sourcing strategies using spend analytics to profile and segment suppliers, prioritizing efforts and setting clear targets

Negotiation of Agreements

• Lead negotiations for cataloguing, inventory, and distribution agreements, ensuring favorable terms that align with Equinix's strategic objectives

Spend Management

• Collaborate with stakeholders to create a comprehensive Category Plan and lead the issuance of Category RFPs, ensuring effective execution and communication with internal and external parties

Contract Management

• Develop and manage Framework Contracts with Legal to meet regional and global requirements. Oversee the onboarding process for new vendors, including due diligence and approval of new vendor creation requests

Supplier Management

• Manage supplier relationships, including ranking and risk assessment. Foster long-term partnerships to facilitate feedback and optimize supplier performance, focusing on quality, service, and delivery

IT Liaison

• Collaborate with IT teams to ensure seamless integration of inventory and distribution systems, leveraging experience with Coupa or similar procurement platforms

Risk Management

• Conduct supplier ranking assessments and implement risk mitigation strategies in alignment with the Enterprise Risk Management policy

KPIs

• Track and report on key deliverables, including contract awards, supplier performance, cost savings, and cash release. Provide monthly performance reports to stakeholders

Qualifications

• 5+ years experience in category management covering global inventory and distribution agreements

• 5+ years experience designing / deploying whitespace solutions in data centers

• SME level knowledge and experience of Whitespace products (cabinets, connectivity, HAC/CAC, rPDU, etc…)

• Strong negotiation skills with a track record of developing strong supplier relationships while delivering cost savings

• Familiarity with Coupa or similar procurement systems is a plus

• Excellent analytical skills and exceptional communication abilities

• Previous management experience with direct reports is essential

The targeted pay range for this position in the following location is / locations are:

United States - Dallas Infomart Office DAI : 103,000 - 155,000 USD / Annual

Canada - Toronto Office TRO : 99,000 - 149,000 CAD / Annual

Our pay ranges reflect the minimum and maximum target for new hire pay for the full-time position determined by role, level, and location.The pay range shown is based on our compensation structure in place at the time of posting and may be updated periodically based on business needs. Individual pay is based on additional factors including job-related skills, experience, and relevant education and/or training.

The targeted pay range listed reflects the base pay only and does not include bonus, equity, or benefits. Employees are eligible for bonus, and equity may be offered depending on the position.

Equinix Benefits

As an employee, you become important to Equinix’s success. We ensure all your benefits are in line with our core values: competitive, inclusive, sustainable, connected and efficient. We keep them competitive within the current marketplace to ensure we’re providing you with the best package possible. So, wherever you are in your career and life, you’ll be able to enhance your experience and bring your whole self to work.

Employee Assistance Program: An Employee Assistance program is available to all employees.

US Benefits: - Insurance: You may enroll in health, life, disability and voluntary plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members. - Retirement: You and Equinix may contribute to a retirement plan to help you plan for your financial future. - Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays: You will receive an accrued amount of PTO each pay period along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific plan or program terms. Canada Core Benefits: - Insurance: You may enroll in healthcare coverage that is designed to complement the provincial healthcare system, along with life, disability and optional benefit plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members. - Retirement: You may also enroll in Equinix-sponsored retirement or savings plans: Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP), Group Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax-Free Savings Plan (TSFA). - Vacation and Paid Holidays: Equinix offers both vacation and personal time, along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits. Benefits are subject to specific plan or program terms, and to change at Equinix discretion.

Equinix is committed to ensuring that our employment process is open to all individuals, including those with a disability.  If you are a qualified candidate and need assistance or an accommodation, please let us know by completing this form.

Equinix is an Equal Employment Opportunity and, in the U.S., an Affirmative Action employer.  All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, place of birth, citizenship, sex, pregnancy / childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, age, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, political / organizational affiliation, status as a victim or family member of a victim of crime or abuse, or any other status protected by applicable law. 

We use artificial intelligence in our hiring process. Learn more here.

This posting is for a backfill position, meaning it is to fill an existing vacancy within our organization.