Category Manager - Electrical - job 1 of 2

To qualify for the Category Manager - Electrical position at Crusoe, candidates need a Bachelor's degree along with a minimum of 3-5 years of experience in a related field. Strong project management skills and the ability to handle large Capex budgets, ideally exceeding $100 million, are essential. Excellent written and verbal communication skills are critical, alongside a proven success record in fast-paced environments.

The responsibilities of a Category Manager - Electrical at Crusoe include negotiating contracts for electrical equipment, managing project budgets and schedules, driving supplier collaboration, conducting detailed spend analyses, and leading implementation efforts in alignment with the company's objectives. The role directly impacts the scaling of data center operations and requires a strategic mindset for decision-making.

The Category Manager - Electrical plays a crucial role in managing equipment initiatives that support new data center construction at Crusoe. By overseeing the procurement of essential electrical products and effectively managing supplier relationships, this position ensures that the data centers are built efficiently and sustainably, fostering the company's goal of leading the AI cloud infrastructure market.

Crusoe promotes a collaborative and innovative work culture, encouraging employees to drive meaningful change in the AI infrastructure space. The Category Manager - Electrical will work in a hybrid environment that supports work-life balance, while fostering partnerships with various teams to achieve shared goals in a supportive atmosphere of growth and sustainability.

Crusoe offers a robust benefits package for the Category Manager - Electrical, including a hybrid work schedule, competitive pay, restricted stock units, health insurance options, an employer-contributed HSA, generous paid time off, cell phone reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, and various wellness benefits. These offerings underscore Crusoe's commitment to employee well-being and development.

When discussing your experience managing large Capex budgets, focus on specific instances where you successfully oversaw budgets exceeding $100 million. Highlight your methods for tracking expenses, ensuring compliance with budget parameters, and the positive outcomes achieved through strategic financial management.

In response to this question, emphasize your ability to organize and prioritize tasks based on urgency and impact. Discuss tools or techniques you use for project management, such as time-blocking or utilizing software, and provide examples of how you’ve effectively balanced multiple projects while meeting deadlines.

When addressing supplier negotiation strategies, describe your approach to understanding supplier needs and fostering collaborative relationships. Share a specific negotiation example, emphasizing preparation, research, and outcome-oriented focus that led to favorable terms for your organization.

Discuss your methodology for conducting spend analyses, including data collection, categorization, and metrics development. Explain how you leverage this analysis to optimize procurement practices, monitor supplier compliance, and identify areas for cost savings, providing a real-world example of success.

Outline your criteria for supplier onboarding and selection, including cost analysis, lead times, and performance metrics. Highlight the importance of establishing strong relationships with key suppliers and providing examples of how your selections have led to improved collaboration and project outcomes.

Explain how you monitor compliance with supplier agreements by regularly reviewing contract terms and performance metrics. Discuss your proactive communication with suppliers to address any potential issues and ensure alignment with the organizational objectives.

Detail how you incorporate TCO into your sourcing decisions by evaluating not just the upfront costs but also ongoing operational and maintenance expenses. Provide an example of a sourcing decision where TCO analysis drove optimal procurement outcomes.

Share a specific example where you effectively managed a supplier relationship, focusing on how you established trust, open communication, and collaboration. Discuss the positive impact this relationship had on your project and stakeholder satisfaction.

When addressing this question, emphasize your agility in monitoring industry trends, and your willingness to pivot sourcing strategies in response to market shifts. Share an example that illustrates your proactive approach to maintaining competitiveness in a fast-paced environment.

Discuss a combination of skills such as project management, financial acumen, negotiation, and communication. Highlight particular strengths that align with Crusoe's mission and values, including experience in sustainable technology and a proven track record of driving successful procurement outcomes.