CE Spares Category Manager Job at Microsoft Corporation (Dublin)

Job Description

Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) is the engine that powers Microsoft’s core cloud platforms and services. The CO+I Supply Chain, Operations and Unified Technology (“SCOUT”) procurement team is responsible for establishing a flexible, efficient and reliable supply chain that can support a portfolio of complex datacenter operations. We are looking to fill the critical role of Critical Environment Spares Category Manager.

Job Responsibility

Own the full sourcing and category management lifecycle for CE Spares across the EMEA region, including strategy development, supplier market assessment, RFP execution, contracting, onboarding, and ongoing supplier performance management
Develop and implement the CE Spares category strategy for EMEA, incorporating global guidance while tailoring to regional regulatory, operational, and supply‑market realities
Identify opportunities to consolidate the supplier base, reduce risk, lower cost, and improve service outcomes
Build the initial supplier ecosystem for CE Spares in EMEA by identifying, evaluating, and developing a reliable, compliant, and scalable pool of regional suppliers
Drive the creation of a pre‑qualified supplier list aligned to technical requirements, BOM structures, service expectations, and sustainability criteria
Lead early‑phase category buildout by defining category sub‑segments (e.g., filters, electrical components, control units, transformers, batteries, etc.), establishing minimum quality and safety standards, and validating regional supply chain constraints before scaling the program
Execute all sourcing events for CE Spares categories, including RFI/RFQ development, competitive event strategy, bid evaluation, scenario modeling, cost analysis, and award recommendations
Ensure alignment with engineering specifications and continuity‑of‑supply requirements
Drive commercial negotiations and contract creation, ensuring strong SLAs, quality metrics, regional aggregation language, and cost‑reduction levers are embedded in all agreements
Partner with Legal, Finance, Tax, EHS, and supplier management teams to deliver compliant, resilient contract structures
Collaborate closely with Engineering, Operations, Planning, and Supplier Management to validate technical requirements, ensure supplier capability, and confirm that selected suppliers support both preventive and corrective maintenance needs at each site
Establish supplier scorecards and governance mechanisms to track delivery accuracy, lead times, SLA compliance, inventory practices, risk indicators, and responsiveness
Lead QBRs and corrective‑action cycles to improve performance and reduce operational risk
Partner with Data & Analytics teams to create visibility into cost drivers, availability trends, inventory accuracy, and adoption metrics
Use data to inform negotiation strategy, supplier segmentation, and category roadmap decisions
Support the regional rollout of CE Spares processes, including catalog enablement, approved‑parts governance, data quality, BOM traceability, and readiness checks for new sites
Coordinate with global category leaders to align global strategy, templates, supplier segmentation, and best practices
Ensure EMEA insights and regional nuances are incorporated into global decision‑making
Monitor regional supply‑market dynamics including capacity constraints, geopolitical risk, logistics dependencies, and regulatory requirements
Proactively adjust sourcing strategies to maintain continuity and reduce cost exposure
Drive continuous improvement by identifying inefficiencies in supplier onboarding, contracting, and inventory workflows
Support pilot efforts, test new operating models, validate assumptions, and scale proven practices across EMEA
Ensure sites have the correct CE Spares contracts, suppliers, and delivery models in place before operational turnover
Partner with site operations to validate readiness, troubleshoot gaps, and maintain strong communication loops as new data centers come online

Requirements

Master's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance or related field AND vast 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 extensive experience in Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations
OR equivalent experience
Extensive experience managing end‑to‑end sourcing lifecycles, including strategy development, RFI/RFP execution, total‑cost modeling, commercial negotiations, and contract management for technical categories
Proven experience in industrial, MRO, datacenter, or engineered equipment supply chains, with strong understanding of mechanical, electrical, or critical infrastructure components
Deep knowledge of supplier qualification and supplier segmentation, including developing prequalified supplier lists, assessing supplier maturity, and building a strategic + sustainable supplier ecosystem
Strong commercial acumen with a track record of negotiating complex agreements, building pricing models, designing SLA/quality frameworks, and reducing risk through well‑structured contracts
Experience supporting or leading new‑program buildouts, such as new category creation, supplier‑base consolidation, pilot programs, or new‑site readiness initiatives
Familiarity with BOM structures and asset‑based procurement, particularly how equipment generations, preventive/corrective maintenance needs, and lifecycle requirements translate to spare‑parts strategy
Proficiency with procurement and planning systems such as Ariba, SAP/IBP, Icertis, CMMS platforms, or similar enterprise tools
Ability to partner with technical teams to improve data quality and catalog accuracy
Strong analytical rigor, including comfort working with cost models, demand signals, historical performance data, availability metrics, and risk indicators to inform category strategy
Excellent stakeholder management and communication skills, with the ability to influence cross‑functional partners (Engineering, Operations, Planning, Finance, Legal, Supplier Management) across cultures and time zones
Experience working across EMEA markets, with understanding of regional supply‑market dynamics, import/export considerations, compliance environments, and logistical constraints (preferred)
Demonstrated ability to operate in high‑growth, fast‑changing, and ambiguous environments, bringing structure, prioritization, and strategic clarity to complex sourcing challenges
Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role
This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter

Nice to have

Master's Degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Supply Chain, Data Analytics, Business, Finance OR related field AND extensive 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 significant experience in Data Science/Analytics, Finance, Project Management, Supply Chain, and/or Operations OR equivalent experience
Experience working across EMEA markets, with understanding of regional supply‑market dynamics, import/export considerations, compliance environments, and logistical constraints

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