Category Lead, Capital Equipment (CAPEX)

Accountabilities:: Develop and execute multi-year category strategies aligned with business objectives, technology roadmaps, manufacturing requirements, and capital investment plans. Analyze spending patterns, market intelligence, supplier capabilities, and industry trends to identify sourcing opportunities and long-term value creation. Partner with Engineering, Product Development, Global Operations, Manufacturing, and Finance to align equipment sourcing decisions with organizational priorities. Support capital planning and budgeting through cost forecasting, market insights, lead-time analysis, and strategic sourcing recommendations. Build category roadmaps that balance cost, capability, innovation, risk, and scalability. Lead end-to-end strategic sourcing processes, including RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, supplier evaluations, bid analysis, negotiations, supplier selection, and contract awards. Develop commercial strategies that optimize cost, quality, service, delivery performance, and long-term supplier relationships. Negotiate complex commercial agreements, including master purchase agreements, statements of work, maintenance agreements, support contracts, warranties, service-level agreements, leasing arrangements, and other supplier commitments. Apply total cost of ownership (TCO), should-cost analysis, and value engineering principles to guide sourcing and investment decisions. Deliver savings, cost avoidance, working capital improvements, and productivity initiatives across assigned categories. Establish preferred supplier frameworks and standardization strategies to maximize procurement leverage and operational efficiency. Build and maintain strategic relationships with equipment manufacturers, technology providers, and service partners. Implement supplier relationship management practices, including business reviews, performance scorecards, continuous improvement initiatives, and executive-level engagement. Monitor supplier performance across cost, quality, reliability, responsiveness, innovation, and service metrics, addressing issues and coordinating corrective actions when needed. Collaborate with suppliers to identify innovation and technology advancement opportunities that create business value. Engage Engineering and Operations teams early in project lifecycles to develop sourcing strategies and equipment specifications. Support new product introductions, manufacturing readiness, laboratory expansion, automation initiatives, and other strategic investments. Provide commercial expertise for capital business cases, investment approvals, and vendor selection activities. Work with Finance to monitor capital expenditures, forecast spending, and maintain alignment with approved budgets. Ensure compliance with procurement policies, contractual obligations, corporate governance, and applicable regulatory requirements. Identify and mitigate commercial, supplier, technology, capacity, and supply chain risks while developing strategies that strengthen business continuity and reduce dependency risks. Support asset lifecycle management, including equipment upgrades, service support transitions, end-of-life planning, redeployment, and optimization. Identify opportunities to improve equipment utilization, standardization, and lifecycle cost performance across global operations. Use spend analytics, supplier benchmarking, market intelligence, and category performance data to support informed decisions. Establish category KPIs, dashboards, and reporting processes to track savings, cost avoidance, supplier performance, risk exposure, and strategic initiative progress. Drive procurement process improvements, sourcing excellence, and adoption of best practices across stakeholder groups. Requirements: Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Business, Engineering, Finance, or a related field. At least 7 years of progressive experience in strategic sourcing, procurement, or category management. Demonstrated experience managing capital equipment, laboratory infrastructure, manufacturing technology, automation systems, test equipment, or related capital expenditure categories. Proven track record of leading complex commercial negotiations and delivering measurable cost savings, total cost of ownership improvements, and business value. Strong understanding of contract development, commercial risk management, supplier performance management, and strategic sourcing. Experience influencing and collaborating with cross-functional stakeholders across Engineering, Operations, Manufacturing, Finance, and Legal. Experience using ERP systems and procurement technologies. Strong analytical, communication, project management, negotiation, and problem-solving skills. Strategic category management capabilities, with strong commercial and financial acumen. Ability to build supplier relationships, manage competing priorities, and influence stakeholders at different organizational levels. Excellent executive communication skills and a data-driven approach to decision-making. A continuous improvement mindset and the ability to translate business needs into effective sourcing strategies. An MBA, master's degree, or equivalent advanced education is preferred. Professional certifications such as CPSM, CIPS, APICS/CPIM, or equivalent are considered an asset. Experience in telecommunications, networking technology, electronics manufacturing, high-tech, or advanced manufacturing industries is preferred. Global procurement and multi-site category management experience is an advantage. Familiarity with capital investment planning, equipment lifecycle management, laboratory operations, manufacturing automation, and technology development environments is beneficial. Experience with sourcing analytics, business intelligence tools, and e-sourcing platforms is an asset. Benefits: Annual base salary in Canada: CAD $140,700–$173,100. Eligible non-sales employees may receive a discretionary incentive bonus; eligibility and award amounts are not guaranteed. Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage. Participation in the Canadian Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP), with company matching. Employee Stock Purchase Program (ESPP). Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Company-paid holidays. Paid sick leave and vacation time. Paid family leave and other applicable leaves of absence, in accordance with relevant legislation. Opportunities for professional development, growth, and recognition. A workplace culture focused on inclusion, collaboration, employee well-being, and respect.