Category Manager - Construction, CAPEX & Tooling

TL;DR

Category Manager - Construction, CAPEX & Tooling: Own the full category strategy, sourcing, negotiation, and supplier performance for construction projects, capital equipment, and production tooling to enable hirify.global’s rapid global manufacturing expansion with an accent on market analysis, risk mitigation, and measurable outcomes. Focus on leading end-to-end sourcing processes, managing complex commercial contracts, and partnering with engineering, manufacturing, facilities, and finance teams.

Location: In-person role based out of HQ in South San Francisco, California, USA requiring 30-50% travel to suppliers, construction sites, equipment vendors, and partners across North America, Asia, and other regions.

Salary: $135,000 - $265,000

Company

World’s largest drone delivery service designing, building, and operating autonomous logistics systems delivering critical supplies like blood, vaccines, food, and retail products across four continents.

What you will do

• Develop and execute category strategies for construction, CAPEX, and tooling including market analysis, supplier segmentation, sourcing roadmaps, and risk mitigation.
• Lead end-to-end sourcing: supplier investigation, RFx, due diligence, selection, competitive bidding for optimal value, quality, and lead times.
• Negotiate complex contracts, pricing, service levels, and long-term partnerships with contractors, equipment manufacturers, and tooling suppliers.
• Manage supplier relationships, performance monitoring, quarterly reviews, scorecards, and continuous improvement for cost, quality, delivery, safety.
• Establish KPIs, governance, and best practices in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Partner with engineering, manufacturing, facilities, and finance to align sourcing with project needs, budgets, and expansion plans.
• Handle supplier claims, disputes, and identify cost savings, process improvements, standardization, and supply chain resilience.

Requirements

• 5-12+ years in fast-paced, high-growth environments as Category Manager, Strategic Sourcing Manager, Procurement Manager, or Capital Equipment/Construction Buyer in manufacturing, technology, aerospace, automotive, or industrial sectors.
• Proven track record building category strategies from ground up, leading complex sourcing, delivering results in construction, CAPEX, or tooling procurement.
• Expertise in high-stakes negotiations, contract development, supplier performance for high-value, technical, project-based purchases.
• Experience establishing KPIs, governance, best practices for indirect procurement categories.
• Strong cross-functional relationship building and influencing across engineering, operations, facilities, finance.
• Thrive in ambiguity, make tough decisions on priorities, trade-offs, supplier strategies.
• Strong analytical and project management skills driving cost savings, risk reduction, operational improvements.

Nice to have

• Advanced degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or related field.
• Experience in high-growth manufacturing or technology companies scaling production facilities and infrastructure.
• Deep knowledge of construction project sourcing, capital equipment procurement, or precision tooling.
• Familiarity with regulated or high-reliability environments and global supplier networks.
• Ability to build high-performing procurement processes and supplier relationships from scratch.

Culture & Benefits

• Work in a mission-driven environment focused on real-world impact, rapid growth, and scaling logistics.
• Equity compensation, discretionary bonuses, sales incentives.
• Medical, dental, vision insurance, paid time off, and more.
• Team motivated by first-principles thinking, facing adversity, and record-breaking speeds.