Senior Category Manager, Networking Procurement

Senior Category Manager, Networking Procurement

Crusoe's mission is to accelerate the abundance of energy and intelligence. We’re crafting the engine that powers a world where people can create ambitiously with AI — without sacrificing scale, speed, or sustainability.

Be a part of the AI revolution with sustainable technology e, you'll drive meaningful innovation, make a tangible impact, and join a team that’s setting the pace for responsible, transformative cloud infrastructure.

About the Role:

Crusoe's world‑class AI Cloud is built upon a foundation of high‑performance, low‑latency network infrastructure. The strategy for how we source, deploy, and manage this critical hardware is a key competitive advantage. We are looking for a senior, experienced leader to own the end‑to‑end commercial and supply chain strategy for our entire networking category.

This is a high‑impact, high‑visibility role that goes far beyond traditional purchasing. You will be the single‑threaded owner responsible for developing long‑range category plans, leading complex negotiations with key OEMs, and architecting a supply chain that can support our rapid global expansion. You will partner closely with our Network Engineering and Data Center Operations leadership to build a resilient, scalable, and cost‑effective network that powers the future of computing.

This role will be required to be in office 5 days/week in our Seattle, WA, office.

What You'll Be Working On:

• Develop Category Strategies:
  Create and execute multi‑year sourcing strategies for all networking hardware, including switches, routers, optics, and cabling.
• Lead Complex Negotiations:
  Own and lead high‑value, complex negotiations with key networking OEMs and partners to secure favorable pricing and long‑term supply agreements.
• Architect the Supply Chain:
  Design and implement a robust supply chain model for networking gear, including demand forecasting, inventory strategy, and global logistics.
• Drive Market Intelligence:
  Serve as the internal expert on the networking market, providing insights on technology trends, cost models, and the competitive landscape to inform our technical roadmap.
• Manage Strategic Supplier Partnerships:
  Own relationships with our most critical networking suppliers, leading executive quarterly business reviews and driving performance.
• Partner with Engineering Leadership:
  Collaborate with senior engineering and operations leaders to ensure our procurement strategy aligns with their technical and deployment roadmaps.

What You'll Bring to the Team:

• Educational Foundation:
  Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain Management, Engineering, Business, or a related field.
• Senior Category Management
  
  Experience:
  
  8‑10+ years in strategic sourcing or category management, with a deep focus on data center networking hardware.
• Deep Technical Acumen:
  Strong, demonstrable understanding of data center networking architectures, technologies, and the key suppliers in the ecosystem.
• Expert Negotiator:
  Proven track record of personally leading and closing multi‑million dollar negotiations and structuring complex, long‑term supply agreements.
• Supply Chain Strategist:
  Experience designing and managing supply chain models for technical hardware, including forecasting, inventory management, and logistics.
• Executive Stakeholder Partnership:
  Exceptional ability to partner with and influence senior leadership and highly technical engineering teams.
• Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) Expert:
  Advanced analytical and financial modeling skills, with a deep understanding of TCO for network infrastructure.

Bonus Points:

• MBA or an advanced technical degree.
• Deep, existing executive relationships with key networking OEMs like Arista, Cisco, Juniper, etc.
• Experience in a hyperscale cloud, colocation, or high‑frequency trading environment where network performance is paramount.
• Experience with international logistics, importing, and trade compliance for hardware.

Benefits:

• Industry competitive pay
• Restricted Stock Units in a fast growing, well‑funded technology company
• Health insurance package options that include HDHP and PPO, vision, and dental for you and your dependents
• Employer contributions to HSA accounts
• P…