Overview

In alignment with our Microsoft values, we are committed to cultivating an inclusive work environment for all employees to positively impact our culture every day.

Cloud Operations + Innovation (CO+I) is the engine that powers Microsoft’s core cloud platforms and services that millions of people use every day. With more than 95% of Fortune 500 business on Azure, 180 million using Office 365, and millions using other services – all running on Microsoft's cloud infrastructure – CO+I builds and operates the foundation upon which Microsoft’s mission to empower every person and organization comes to life.

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.

Microsoft’s mission is to empower every person and every organization on the planet to achieve more. As employees we come together with a growth mindset, innovate to empower others, and collaborate to realize our shared goals. Each day we build on our values of respect, integrity, and accountability to create a culture of inclusion where everyone can thrive at work and beyond.

Responsibilities

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.

Qualifications

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.

While not required, we also look for the following Preferred Qualifications:

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.
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.

Background Check Requirements:

Ability to meet Microsoft, customer and/or government security screening requirements are required for this role. These requirements include, but are not limited to the following specialized security screenings:

Microsoft Cloud Background Check: This position will be required to pass the Microsoft Cloud background check upon hire/transfer and every two years thereafter.

#COICareers | #EPCCareers | #DCDCareers

This position will be open for a minimum of 5 days, with applications accepted on an ongoing basis until the position is filled.

Microsoft is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, ancestry, citizenship, color, family or medical care leave, gender identity or expression, genetic information, immigration status, marital status, medical condition, national origin, physical or mental disability, political affiliation, protected veteran or military status, race, ethnicity, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable local laws, regulations and ordinances. If you need assistance with religious accommodations and/or a reasonable accommodation due to a disability during the application process, read more about requesting accommodations.

CE Spares Category Manager

Job Description