Regional Category Manager (B4) Lab Operations & CapEx Construction (APAC)

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.

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.

Semiconductor R&D Labs

Characterization & Metrology Equipment

Laboratory Services

Technical Equipment Services

Tool Maintenance Programs

Engineering Support Services

Consumables and Laboratory MRO

Cleanroom Construction

Office and Laboratory Buildouts

Tool Installation Programs

Construction Management

Design and Engineering Services

General Contractors

Specialty Trades

Critical Infrastructure Projects

Tool OEMs

Construction Contractors

Construction Managers

Design Firms

Engineering Firms

MRO Distributors

Specialty Trade Contractors

Commissioning Providers

Technical Service Suppliers

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

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

Integrate risk considerations into:

Supplier selection

Contracting strategies

Construction projects

Service agreements

Capacity planning

Single-source dependencies

Support adoption of:

Standard category playbooks

Governance models

Preferred supplier programs

Commercial frameworks

Supplier performance processes

Category management best practices

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Experience managing suppliers across multiple APAC countries.

Strong commercial acumen and contract management capability.

Strong analytical and financial skills.

Ability to work effectively in a highly matrixed global organization.

Semiconductor fab or R&D laboratory experience.

CapEx construction and tool installation expertise.

Experience with construction contracting models.

Experience managing OEM suppliers.

Familiarity with Ariba, Scout, Sievo, SAP, and sourcing analytics tools.

CPSM, CIPS, CPM, PMP, MBA, or similar credentials.

Category planning

Market intelligence

Supplier segmentation

Business case development

Competitive sourcing

Negotiation strategy

Contract structuring

Cost modeling

Business partnership

Executive communication

Influence without authority

Cross-functional leadership

Supplier performance management

SRM governance

Innovation management

Escalation management

Financial analysis

Total cost of ownership

Value capture governance

Supplier risk

Project risk

Contract risk

Compliance governance

Capital construction

Engineering services

Tool installation

Laboratory operations

Facilities and infrastructure sourcing

Regional category plans successfully deployed across APAC.

Improved stakeholder satisfaction and engagement.

Measurable value capture and cost optimization delivered.

Reduction in sourcing cycle times and supplier escalations.

Strong supplier performance across strategic providers.

Successful execution of construction, infrastructure, and laboratory support initiatives.

Consistent adoption of GSP category management standards and sourcing governance processes.

Effective strategy-to-execution alignment between Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, and Operations teams