Regional Category Manager - Lab Operations & CapEx Construction (APAC)

Who We Are

Applied Materials is the global leader in materials science and engineering solutions that are at the foundation of virtually every new semiconductor chip and advanced display in the world. The equipment that we create and service is essential to advancing AI and accelerating the commercialization of next-generation semiconductor chips. Join us and push the boundaries of materials science and engineering in a company at the foundation of the electronics industry. The work we do together advances the world’s technology. 

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Job Description Summary

The Regional Category Manager (B4) – Lab Operations & CapEx Construction is responsible for leading regional category execution, strategic sourcing, supplier management, and stakeholder partnership activities across Applied Materials’ APAC footprint.

This role serves as the primary Category Management lead for Lab Operations, Lab Equipment, Tool Installation, Infrastructure, CapEx Construction, Engineering Services, Construction Management, MRO, and Critical Facilities-related spend across Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, India, and China.

The position translates global category strategies into regional execution plans that support major construction programs, semiconductor research and development laboratories, tool installations, critical infrastructure projects, and facility operations.

The Regional Category Manager partners closely with Global Workplace & Infrastructure (GWI), SPG, AGS, Facilities, Engineering, Construction Project Teams, Real Estate, Finance, Legal, Risk, and Strategic Sourcing teams to ensure sourcing activities deliver measurable value, improve stakeholder experience, strengthen supplier performance, and reduce operational and commercial risk.

At the B4 level, the role operates independently across complex sourcing and category initiatives, influences regional stakeholders, manages strategic suppliers, and contributes market intelligence, supplier insights, and execution learnings to support global category leaders.

Scope of Responsibility

Lab Operations

• Semiconductor R&D Labs
• Characterization & Metrology Equipment
• Laboratory Services
• Technical Equipment Services
• Tool Maintenance Programs
• Engineering Support Services
• Consumables and Laboratory MRO

Infrastructure & CapEx

• Cleanroom Construction
• Office and Laboratory Buildouts
• Tool Installation Programs
• Construction Management
• Design and Engineering Services
• General Contractors
• Specialty Trades
• Critical Infrastructure Projects

Managed Supplier Categories

• Tool OEMs
• Construction Contractors
• Construction Managers
• Design Firms
• Engineering Firms
• MRO Distributors
• Specialty Trade Contractors
• Commissioning Providers
• Technical Service Suppliers

Mission Alignment

Value Capture

Deliver measurable value through:

• Competitive sourcing events
• Should-cost modeling
• Commercial negotiations
• Demand aggregation
• Supplier rationalization
• Rate card optimization
• Change-order governance
• Lifecycle cost optimization

Client Journey

Serve as a trusted business partner by:

• Providing predictable engagement
• Supporting project planning and execution
• Improving sourcing transparency
• Streamlining supplier interactions
• Driving proactive stakeholder communication

Risk Management

Integrate risk considerations into:

• Supplier selection
• Contracting strategies
• Tool installation programs
• Construction projects
• Service agreements
• Capacity planning
• Single-source dependencies

Optimize Capability

Support adoption of:

• Standard category playbooks
• Governance models
• Preferred supplier programs
• Commercial frameworks
• Supplier performance processes
• Category management best practices

Key Responsibilities

1. Regional Category Strategy Deployment

• Translate global category strategies into APAC execution plans.
• Develop regional sourcing roadmaps aligned to construction projects, laboratory expansion programs, tool installations, and operational requirements.
• Identify regional market dynamics and supplier capabilities that influence category strategy.
• Provide insights regarding supplier markets, labor availability, pricing trends, capacity constraints, and regional operating considerations.
• Support category governance reviews and strategic planning activities.

2. CapEx Construction & Infrastructure Management

• Lead sourcing and supplier management activities for construction and infrastructure projects throughout APAC.
• Support cleanroom projects, laboratory expansions, facility upgrades, and critical infrastructure initiatives.
• Manage General Contractor and Construction Manager engagement strategies.
• Support development of supplier panels and preferred contractor programs.
• Drive commercial alignment across design-build, CMAR, GMP, lump sum, and time-and-materials contracting structures.
• Improve cost transparency through benchmarking, should-cost analysis, and rate-card governance.

3. Lab Operations, Tool Install & Technical Services

• Lead regional execution of laboratory equipment, laboratory services, MRO, and tool installation category strategies.
• Partner with SPG, AGS, and engineering stakeholders to support laboratory operations and technology roadmaps.
• Coordinate sourcing activities across new tool purchases, maintenance services, equipment upgrades, and installation programs.
• Support lifecycle management of critical laboratory assets.
• Improve total cost of ownership through supplier consolidation, commercial optimization, and service model improvements.

4. Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Leadership

• Lead competitive sourcing activities including RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, and negotiations.
• Develop negotiation strategies and commercial recommendations.
• Perform supplier assessments, bid evaluations, and total cost analyses.
• Drive contract execution in partnership with Legal and Contracting teams.
• Deliver measurable cost savings, cost avoidance, and business value.

This role is expected to demonstrate advanced proficiency in sourcing strategy, negotiation, stakeholder management, and commercial analysis.

5. Supplier Relationship Management

• Manage strategic supplier relationships across assigned categories.
• Lead supplier review meetings and performance discussions.
• Monitor supplier quality, delivery, cost, innovation, and risk metrics.
• Resolve supplier escalations and performance issues.
• Support executive-level supplier engagement activities.
• Promote supplier-led innovation and business improvement opportunities.

6. Business Partnership & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the primary category management contact for regional stakeholders.
• Build trusted relationships with GWI, SPG, AGS, Facilities, Real Estate, Engineering, and Project Leadership teams.
• Provide category expertise and commercial guidance on project and operational decisions.
• Present recommendations and sourcing outcomes to leadership teams.
• Support governance forums and category reviews.

High levels of stakeholder influence, strategic thinking, and executive communication are expected at the B4 level.

7. Risk, Compliance & Governance

• Monitor supplier, commercial, operational, and market risks.
• Support supplier qualification and onboarding activities.
• Ensure sourcing and contracting activities comply with Applied requirements.
• Partner with Legal, Risk, GIRM, and Finance on complex supplier decisions.
• Escalate issues requiring category leadership support.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Supply Chain, Business, or related discipline.
• Minimum 8+ years of experience in Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Construction Management, Tool Installation, Facilities Management, Engineering Services, or Technical Operations.
• Experience supporting semiconductor, advanced manufacturing, laboratory, cleanroom, or mission-critical environments.
• Demonstrated success leading complex sourcing programs and supplier negotiations.
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