Category Specialist/Coordinator

Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) is the engine that powers Microsoft’s core cloud platforms and services that millions of people use every day. With more than 95% of Fortune 500 business on Azure, 180+ million using Office 365, and millions using other services – all running on Microsoft's cloud infrastructure – CO+I builds and operates the foundation upon which Microsoft’s mission to empower every person and organization comes to life.

Our focus is on smart growth, high efficiency, and delivering a trusted experience to customers and partners worldwide. We are looking for a passionate, high-energy individual to help build the network that powers the world’s largest online services. This person will be responsible for supporting our EMEA, AMER, and APAC regions.

Within CO+I, the Strategic Category Management Supply Chain team is responsible for establishing a supply chain that can meet the ever-growing Microsoft Cloud for our customers. We support a portfolio of complex, multi-disciplinary, multi-billion, multi-year datacenter construction and lease projects and operations of those assets. We are looking to fill a critical role of Global Category Specialist/Coordinator.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.”

“This role is located either in one or all hub locations - Atlanta, GA, Redmond, WA, San Antonio, TX or Phoenix, AZ. 

Relocation support will be provided, and successful candidates must ​relocate or reside within 50 miles of the hub office location. 

This role is eligible for hybrid or remote work, up to 100%

Responsibilities:

Impact to Strategy, Demonstrate Success, Core Responsibilities

• Category Vision and Strategy: Manages the development and execution of multi-year sourcing strategies based on business intelligence, Microsoft policies, and Microsoft-wide cross-functional buy-in from stakeholders.
• Strategic Sourcing Alignment: Maintains strategic alignment with sourcing execution, Construction, Engineering, Cost, Legal, Risk, Finance, Safety, and other teams to continuously re-evaluate and improve Microsoft procurement.
• Negotiation Strategy: Develops high-level negotiation strategies, organizes procurement bid results, and then communicates complete strategy and results to senior management.
• Supplier Selection: Oversees supplier selection and performance management through applying subject matter expertise in procurement processes and policies, and market intelligence to develop, and influence channel strategies cross-functionally and/or cross-regionally that reduce costs, mitigate risks, and enable scalable execution with consistency, accuracy, quality, and timeliness of delivery.
• Contracting: Understands industry contracting norms and Microsoft contracting requirements.  Successfully facilitates negotiation of final contracts that achieve business goals.  Provides strategic oversight for improving existing, or establishing new, Service Level Agreements (SLAs) and/or defined milestones and deliverables, holds accountability and ownership of SLAs, and ensures compliance is cascaded down to the business
• Supplier Engagement: Proactively segments suppliers and utilizes engagement programs to improve performance and achieve business goals.  Directs supplier activity across multiple accounts and complex purchasing categories
• Continuous Improvement: identifies ways to streamline, automate, and simplify processes. This will include deployment of tools, proficiency in data analytics, and ability to work with IT groups to provide system requirements.

Qualifications:A minimum of a bachelor’s degree in computer science, Computer Engineering, Software Design, Software Engineering, OR a related field, OR equivalent alternative education, skills, AND/OR practical experience is required.

Master's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND 5+ years experience in Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations OR Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND 5+ years experience in Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations OR equivalent experience.

While not required, we also look for the following Preferred Qualifications:

Master's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND 7+ years experience in Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations OR Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND 7+ years experience in Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations OR equivalent experience.

Background Check Requirements: 

Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings: 

• Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

#COICareers | #EPCCareers | #DCDCareers

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.