Head of Category Management

Regional Category Manager, Capital Construction (APAC)

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

Location:

Bangalore,IND

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. 

Role Purpose

The Senior Manager serves as the regional leader of the India‑based GSP Category Execution Hub, responsible for driving best‑in‑class commercial execution for APAC’s most complex and high‑value capital construction programs.

This role owns the strategy-to-execution bridge, leading a team that delivers RFx excellence, advanced commercial analytics, supplier performance governance, and scalable processes that enable reliable execution across India, Korea, Taiwan, and China.

The Senior Manager partners closely with GSP Category Leadership, regional project leaders, commercial managers, engineering, and onsite focal resources to ensure commercial readiness, risk visibility, and disciplined execution across all phases of capital projects.

Key Responsibilities

1. Leadership of APAC Category Execution (India Hub)

• Lead and grow the India Hub team responsible for sourcing execution, cost modeling, analytics, and supplier performance.
• Drive operational excellence across all category execution workflows—RFx, contracting support, benchmarking, market intelligence, and commercial governance.
• Serve as the primary point of leadership for India‑based category execution supporting APAC capital projects.

2. Category Execution & High‑Value Commercial Operations

• Oversee the full RFx lifecycle for complex construction, engineering, cleanroom, and fit‑out packages.
• Set negotiation strategy, support contract‑structure development, and ensure commercial alignment across multiple projects and markets.
• Ensure commercial rigor on change‑order management, claims mitigation, cost reconciliation, and risk allocation.
• Partner with Commercial Managers/GWI to ensure category execution directly supports project schedule, budget, and risk requirements.

3. Supplier Strategy, Governance & Performance Management

• Lead supplier capability assessments, long‑term performance tracking, and supplier‑development programs across APAC construction categories.
• Provide forward‑looking visibility into resource constraints, market disruptions, contractor risks, and capacity challenges.
• Influence supplier segmentation strategy together with GSP Category Leadership.
• Establish and maintain structured governance mechanisms for supplier performance, quality, and consistency.

4. Advanced Analytics, Insights & Capital Planning Support

• Lead development of high‑fidelity cost models, inflation indexes, market‑trend dashboards, and commercial risk heatmaps.
• Provide decision‑grade insights to Singapore Category Leadership, onsite commercial teams, and project executives.
• Support regional capital planning with analytical inputs, cost forecasts, and scenario modeling.
• Drive data governance discipline to ensure audit‑ready processes, document control, and compliance.

5. Regional Execution Scalability & Cross‑Market Support

• Enable rapid scaling of sourcing support across India, Korea, Taiwan, and China during project surges.
• Establish standardized processes, templates, playbooks, and commercial governance frameworks for APAC.
• Partner closely with onsite focal resources to resolve commercial issues, negotiate escalations, and drive supplier accountability.
• Lead continuous‑improvement initiatives to optimize cycle time, sourcing quality, and process maturity.

Key Qualifications

• 12–15+ years of experience in capital construction procurement, category management, or large‑program commercial operations.
• Proven track record leading complex, multi‑package tenders for manufacturing, cleanroom, semiconductor, life‑sciences, or advanced infrastructure projects.
• Deep expertise in commercial negotiation, contract terms, risk allocation, claims strategy, and cost governance.
• Strong leadership capability — able to build, mentor, and scale high‑performing teams.
• Advanced analytical capability: cost modeling, market intelligence, benchmarking, and financial analysis.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders across functions and geographies.
• High agility, strong judgment, and ability to operate in fast‑moving and high‑ambiguity project environments.

Why This Is a Landmark Opportunity in India

• India is being established as the central execution hub for APAC capital construction sourcing.
• Extremely high visibility with APAC leaders, Singapore Category Leadership, global teams, and onsite commercial managers.
• Opportunity to shape and lead a regional center of excellence supporting multi‑billion‑dollar capital investments.
• Exposure to cutting‑edge manufacturing, cleanroom, and lab construction at a global scale.
• A platform for accelerated growth into Regional Category Leader roles.

Success Measures

• High‑quality commercial packages delivered on schedule, aligned to project and category strategies.
• Strong supplier performance and reduced commercial risk across APAC projects.
• Scalable processes that improve sourcing cycle time and commercial governance.
• Strong partnership alignment with Singapore Category Leadership and onsite focal teams.
• Demonstrated leadership impact through team development, capability building, and improved regional maturity.

Additional Information

Time Type:

Full time

Employee Type:

Assignee / Regular

Travel:

Yes, 20% of the Time

Relocation Eligible:

Yes

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.

Experience Level

Senior Level