Category Manager Jobs in California

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:

$108,000.00 - $148,500.00

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.

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.

Key Responsibilities

• Define and maintain a multi-year global category strategy aligned with Applied and GSP priorities, including clear objectives, value levers, and execution waves.

• Establish category scope, taxonomy alignment, and an integrated demand/supply perspective (business requirements, demand signals, and supply market dynamics).

• Develop and continuously refresh a category roadmap, sequencing initiatives based on impact, urgency, risk, and capacity to maintain a forward-looking pipeline. Own supplier portfolio design and segmentation (strategic, preferred, transactional), and define engagement models for each segment.

• Execute Strategic Supplier Relationship Management (SRM) for priority suppliers, including performance management, innovation, commercial governance, and executive alignment. Serve as a trusted advisor to business unit leadership, translating business objectives into category strategies and sourcing priorities.

• Lead and facilitate category councils and governance forums to drive decisions, alignment, and accountability. Define and manage the category value pipeline; partner with Finance for validation, tracking, and reporting of results. Integrate supplier risk management into category strategies, including third-party risk (TPRM) triggers and mitigation plans.

• Translate category strategy into sourcing wave plans and playbooks for Strategic Sourcing Managers and SCoE teams. Execute sourcing and category management activities in alignment with defined operating models, tools, and processes.

General Profile

• Requires specialized depth and/or breadth of expertise

• Interprets internal or external business issues and recommends best practices

• Solves complex problems; takes a broad perspective to identify innovative solutions. Works independently, with guidance in only the most complex situations. May lead functional teams or projects

Functional Knowledge

• Demonstrates depth and/or breadth of expertise in own specialized discipline or field

Business Expertise

• Interprets internal/external business challenges and recommends best practices to improve products, processes or services

Leadership

• May lead functional teams or projects with moderate resource requirements, risk, and/or complexity

Problem Solving

• Leads others to solve complex problems; uses sophisticated analytical thought to exercise judgment and identify innovative solutions

Impact

• Impacts the achievement of customer, operational, project or service objectives; work is guided by functional policies

Interpersonal Skills

• Communicates difficult concepts and negotiates with others to adopt a different point of view

We are seeking a highly capable and strategic Category Manager to lead sourcing and category management activities across Marketing, Meetings & Events. This role will serve as a trusted business partner to internal stakeholders in a fast-paced environment, driving category strategy, supplier performance, commercial rigor, and operational excellence across a dynamic portfolio of services.

The ideal candidate brings strong experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management, contracting, and stakeholder engagement, with deep expertise in meetings, events, hospitality, venue sourcing, event production, and related services. Experience supporting marketing communications, creative agencies, media, digital marketing, or production services is also valuable.

This individual will be expected to proactively identify value opportunities, mitigate risk, support business needs with speed and discipline, and influence stakeholders through data-driven insights and strong category expertise.

Lead category management and sourcing strategies for Meetings & Events, including:

• Venue sourcing

• Event agencies

• Production and AV services

• Hospitality and lodging

• Transportation and logistics

• Onsite event support

• Group travel as applicable

Provide category support for Marketing Communications, including:

• Creative and branding agencies

• Digital marketing services

• Content production

• Communications support

• Campaign-related external services

Develop and execute category strategies aligned to business priorities, demand patterns, and market dynamics.

Act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders by bringing market intelligence, sourcing discipline, and commercial recommendations to business planning and supplier decisions.

Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation

• Lead end-to-end sourcing initiatives, including RFx development, supplier evaluation, negotiation, and contract execution.

• Drive competitive bidding, supplier consolidation, cost optimization, and service quality improvements.

• Negotiate commercial terms, pricing structures, SLAs, and business protections in partnership with legal and internal stakeholders.

• Support both planned and urgent business requirements with appropriate sourcing rigor and speed.

Supplier Management

• Manage strategic supplier relationships across the portfolio to improve performance, innovation, responsiveness, and compliance.

• Establish supplier scorecards and performance reviews focused on service delivery, quality, cost, and stakeholder satisfaction.

• Identify and address supplier-related risks, including commercial, operational, and reputational exposures.

• Drive continuous improvement and accountability with key agency and event partners.

Financial, Operational & Risk Management

• Identify and deliver savings, value creation, and cost avoidance opportunities.

• Analyze spend, demand, supplier concentration, and business requirements to inform sourcing strategies and recommendations.

• Ensure contracts and engagements align with company policies, procurement standards, and risk management requirements.

• Partner cross-functionally with legal, finance, AP, and business teams to ensure effective execution and governance.

• Support budget-conscious decision-making while balancing service, quality, and stakeholder experience.

Process Excellence

• Improve procurement processes, intake methods, templates, playbooks, and stakeholder guidance for meetings, events, and marketing services.

• Help business teams navigate sourcing, contracting, and supplier engagement processes efficiently.

• Contribute to stronger category visibility, pipeline planning, and reporting.

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Yes, 10% of the Time

Relocation Eligible:

No

The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at Accommodations_Program@amat.com, or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.