Category Manager - Marketing, Meetings & Events

Category Manager

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.

Salary: $ - $

Location:

Austin, TX, Santa Clara, CA

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.

We are seeking a highly capable and strategic Category Manager to lead sourcing and category management activities across Marketing, Meetings & Events. This role will serve as a trusted business partner to internal stakeholders in a fast paced environment, driving category strategy, supplier performance, commercial rigor, and operational excellence across a dynamic portfolio of services.

The ideal candidate brings strong experience in strategic sourcing, supplier management, contracting, and stakeholder engagement, with deep expertise in meetings, events, hospitality, venue sourcing, event production, and related services. Experience supporting marketing communications, creative agencies, media, digital marketing, or production services is also valuable.

This individual will be expected to proactively identify value opportunities, mitigate risk, support business needs with speed and discipline, and influence stakeholders through data-driven insights and strong category expertise.

Lead category management and sourcing strategies for Meetings & Events, including:
Venue sourcing, Event agencies, Production and AV services, Hospitality and lodging, Transportation and logistics, Onsite event support, Group travel as applicable.

Provide category support for Marketing Communications, including:
Creative and branding agencies, Digital marketing services, Content production, Communications support, Campaign-related external services.

Develop and execute category strategies aligned to business priorities, demand patterns, and market dynamics. Act as a trusted advisor to internal stakeholders by bringing market intelligence, sourcing discipline, and commercial recommendations to business planning and supplier decisions.

Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation:
Lead end-to-end sourcing initiatives, including RFx development, supplier evaluation, negotiation, and contract execution. Drive competitive bidding, supplier consolidation, cost optimization, and service quality improvements. Negotiate commercial terms, pricing structures, SLAs, and business protections in partnership with legal and internal stakeholders. Support both planned and urgent business requirements with appropriate sourcing rigor and speed.

Supplier Management:
Manage strategic supplier relationships across the portfolio to improve performance, innovation, responsiveness, and compliance. Establish supplier scorecards and performance reviews focused on service delivery, quality, cost, and stakeholder satisfaction. Identify and address supplier-related risks, including commercial, operational, and reputational exposures. Drive continuous improvement and accountability with key agency and event partners.

Financial, Operational &

Risk Management:

Identify and deliver savings, value creation, and cost avoidance opportunities. Analyze spend, demand, supplier concentration,…