Sr. Category Manager, Data Center Sourcing & Procurement

Company: Amazon Web Services, Inc.
Location: Herndon
Posted on: July 17, 2025

Job Description:

AWS Infrastructure Services owns the design, planning, delivery, and operation of all AWS global infrastructure. In other words, we’re the people who keep the cloud running. We support all AWS data centers and all of the servers, storage, networking, power, and cooling equipment that ensure our customers have continual access to the innovation they rely on. We work on the most challenging problems, with thousands of variables impacting the supply chain — and we’re looking for talented people who want to help. You’ll join a diverse team of software, hardware, and network engineers, supply chain specialists, security experts, operations managers, and other vital roles. You’ll collaborate with people across AWS to help us deliver the highest standards for safety and security while providing seemingly infinite capacity at the lowest possible cost for our customers. And you’ll experience an inclusive culture that welcomes bold ideas and empowers you to own them to completion. Amazon Web Services (AWS) is a dynamic, growing business unit within Amazon.com that provides a broad set of infrastructure services including computing power, storage options, networking and databases available on demand. We are the leader in cloud computing and our pioneers are embracing innovation, building the future, and making history! The Infrastructure team provides AWS and Amazon.com with the compute, network and data center capacity that are the foundations of the retail and cloud business. Amazon is seeking a motivated and data-driven category manager to support the Americas data center operations space. The candidate should have strong supply chain and procurement skills, analytical and financial acumen , communication capabilities and a hands-on passion to dive-deep into processes used in our data center operations network. Additionally, candidate must have proven skills in managing large-scale supply chain and procurement improvement projects. As a Category Manager, you will create and implement sourcing strategies for at least one services category and collaborate with internal business partners and suppliers to drive efficiencies, reduce risks, and costs for Amazon. You will develop mechanisms and metrics to hold suppliers accountable for performance and delivery. You will drive results through methods that include competitive bidding, negotiating, and analyzing data and market trends for your category. The ideal candidate thinks long term, drives multiple initiatives, communicates appropriately and influences customers and suppliers at all levels. You will be collaborative, but also work with significant autonomy. To be successful in this role you will be highly analytical; think strategically and globally; exhibit curiosity and learning drive; have a sense of urgency to meet customer timelines, succeed in a fast-paced environment; and have a high level of customer focus and business judgement. It will be critical to embrace and model Amazon’s Leadership Principles and have an entrepreneurial spirit. A successful candidate will demonstrate: · Proven experience driving large-scale process improvements resulting in measurable value · High attention to detail including proven ability to manage multiple, competing priorities simultaneously · Ability to think strategically and execute methodically · Demonstrated ability to influence teams to adopt change utilizing smart technologies · Ability to work in a fast-paced environment where ambiguity exists and continuous innovation is desired · Committed to learning and expanding professional and technical knowledge · Demonstrated analytical, financial and quantitative skills and ability to use hard data and metrics to back up assumptions and develop business cases · Willingness to roll up your sleeves and do whatever is necessary; general manager / owner mentality · Demonstrated ability to dive deep in understanding the product, our business, and the competitive landscape · Ability to see ahead comprehensively and devise a strong plan of action, and ensure execution happens on time, every time · Ability to get things done and produce conclusive, measurable results within time commitments · Strong influencing skills A day in the life About AWS Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses. Inclusive Team Culture Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to celebrate our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (gender diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness. About the team Why AWS Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world’s most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating — that’s why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses. Diverse Experiences Amazon values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the preferred qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn’t followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don’t let it stop you from applying. Work/Life Balance We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there’s nothing we can’t achieve in the cloud. Inclusive Team Culture Here at AWS, it’s in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon (gender diversity) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness. Mentorship and Career Growth We’re continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth’s Best Employer. That’s why you’ll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS - Bachelors degree in Supply Chain Management, Finance, Engineering, Operations, or other field from an accredited university - 7 years of relevant strategic sourcing experience including vendor negotiations, global contract management, process improvement , operational and financial analysis - 7 years of experience in procurement, supply chain, inventory management and operations PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS - Familiarity with supply chain management concepts - forecasting, planning, sourcing, optimization, logistics. - Familiarity with supply chain , operational , cost and financial analysis. - Experience in data centers, engineering, an infrastructure service provider or similar technology company. - Strong track record of creative problem solving using lean principles, and the desire to create and build new processes. - Experience measuring key operational metrics (e.g., order cycle time, ship estimate accuracy, on time and complete shipment, inventory record defect rate) - Experience practicing best-in-class procurement processes (category management, bench-marking, should-cost models, RFX, reverse auction, contracting, etc.) and strong quantitative, financial and qualitative analytical skills paired with hands-on attitude, excellent attention to detail, and good business judgment - Experience developing tools, reports, process maps, scorecards, and data visualizations that improve upon those currently employed for understanding the business and making decisions Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit https://amazon.jobs/content/en/how-we-hire/accommodations for more information. If the country/region you’re applying in isn’t listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner.

Keywords: Amazon Web Services, Inc., Silver Spring , Sr. Category Manager, Data Center Sourcing & Procurement, IT / Software / Systems , Herndon, Maryland