Category Management Director

Who We Are

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world. 

What We Offer

Salary:

$160,000.00 - $220,000.00

Location:

Austin,TX, Santa Clara,CA

You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more. 

At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits. 

Director, Category Management – Workplace, Construction, Real Estate & MRO 

Location: Austin, TX or US-based Applied Materials site (flexible for the right candidate) 

Reports to: Senior Director, Global Indirect Procurement 

 

Overview 

We’re seeking a strategic and operationally excellent leader to run our global category management function for Workplace, Construction, Real Estate, Security, Energy, Labs, and MRO. This is a high-impact leadership role responsible for shaping and executing category strategies across ~$2B+ in global OpEx / CapEx spend. You’ll drive innovation, cost efficiency, and risk mitigation by architecting scalable organizational structures, governance models, and supplier partnerships that unlock long-term value. 

 

You will hire, develop and lead a high-performing team, build trusted stakeholder partnerships across Engineering, Global Workplace, Legal, Environmental Health & Safety, and Finance, and engage global leaders to ensure alignment on strategic goals. You will act as a general manager of your category—accountable for performance, strategy, supplier relationships, demand management and long-range planning. 

 

Key Responsibilities 

Category Strategy & Execution 

• Own end-to-end category strategy across Workplace, Construction, Real Estate, and MRO—ensuring alignment to Applied’s business and sustainability goals. 

• Integrate long-term planning, market intelligence, and supplier capabilities to drive innovation and resiliency. 

• Drive holistic value across cost, performance, quality, compliance, sustainability, and innovation. 

 

Organizational Design & Capability Building 

 

• Design and evolve the organizational structure to deliver on stakeholder needs, including segmentation of spend, talent development, and strategic governance. 

• Lead a global team, including matrixed and BPO resources, to deliver category results with operational rigor and agility. 

 

Stakeholder Engagement & Strategic Business Partnering 

• Serve as the single point of accountability for key executives across Facilities, Construction, Real Estate, and Enginee