NorthMark Strategies · 2 weeks ago
Category Manager - HPC Infrastructure
Dallas, TX
Full-time
Hybrid
Senior Level, Lead/Staff
8+ years expNorthMark Strategies is a leading investment firm focused on building enduring businesses through innovation and engineering. They are seeking a Category Manager for HPC Infrastructure to define and execute global sourcing and procurement strategies for high-performance computing and AI data center infrastructure, managing a significant annual spend and leading supplier strategy and market intelligence efforts.
AdviceFinancial ServicesVenture Capital
Responsibilities
Own and drive the global category management strategy for HPC Infrastructure, spanning:
GPU and accelerator platforms (latest-generation GPUs, DPUs, AI accelerators)
Compute systems and server platforms optimized for HPC and AI workloads
Rack-scale and integrated systems (pre-configured racks, liquid-cooled and high-density designs)
High-speed networking (InfiniBand, Ethernet, optical interconnects, switches, NICs, cables)
Storage infrastructure (high-performance parallel file systems, NVMe, object and tiered storage)
Lead technology road mapping and market intelligence, staying ahead of industry trends and ensuring early access to next-generation and 'latest and greatest' infrastructure technologies
Lead the full source-to-contract lifecycle, including:
Category market intelligence, supplier landscape analysis, and technology roadmaps
Supplier segmentation, dual/multi-source strategies, and ecosystem partnerships
RFP/RFQ execution, commercial structuring, and complex negotiations
Contract development, execution, and ongoing lifecycle management
Develop and maintain should-cost models, TCO analyses, and competitive benchmarks across compute, networking, storage, and rack-level solutions to assess pricing, commercial terms, and supply strategies versus industry peers
Partner closely with engineering, infrastructure, architecture, data center design, finance, legal, and operations teams to align sourcing strategies with technical roadmaps, capacity planning, and deployment timelines
Support rapid-scale deployments by aligning procurement strategies with cluster-level and rack-scale build requirements, including factory integration, testing, and logistics
Design and execute supply chain strategies for highly constrained, long lead-time infrastructure, including GPUs, networking silicon, optics, storage media, and power components
Identify, assess, and mitigate supply, capacity, geopolitical, and technology risks, including vendor concentration, roadmap dependencies, allocation constraints, and macroeconomic impacts
Secure capacity commitments, allocation agreements, and strategic supply assurances with key suppliers
Manage and optimize annual category spend of $500M–$1B+, ensuring cost efficiency, scalability, and continuity of supply while enabling aggressive growth
Drive supplier performance management, including delivery assurance, quality, capacity, innovation alignment, and roadmap transparency
Influence suppliers to co-invest in next-generation infrastructure, advanced cooling, and performance-optimized designs
Operate effectively in highly complex, multi-entity and global environments, coordinating across regions, business units, and legal entities
Provide executive-level insights on market conditions, supply risks, and technology inflection points
Qualification
Required
Bachelor's degree required, with a strong preference for Supply Chain Management, Operations, Engineering, Business, or a related field
8-10 years of experience in category management, strategic sourcing, procurement, or supply chain management
Proven experience managing large-scale infrastructure spend ($500M–$1B+)
Deep understanding of HPC and AI data center infrastructure, including GPUs/accelerators, compute platforms, high-speed networking, storage systems, and rack-scale designs
Strong background in supply chain strategy for long lead-time, high-demand hardware
Demonstrated ability to lead complex, high-stakes commercial negotiations and execute enterprise-level contracts
Experience operating in fast-paced, high-growth, and ambiguous environments
Exceptional stakeholder management, communication, and executive-level influence
Preferred
Category management or supply chain certifications (e.g., CPSM, CSCP, CPM, CIPS, or equivalent)
Experience supporting hyperscale, AI, cloud, or HPC infrastructure deployments
Familiarity with latest-generation GPU ecosystems, interconnect technologies, and advanced cooling architectures
Proven success working within matrixed, multi-entity, or global organizations
Strong analytical capabilities, including cost modeling, benchmarking, market intelligence, and capacity forecasting
Company
NorthMark Strategies
NorthMark Strategies is a multi-strategy investment firm managing diverse portfolios and offering advisory services across sectors.
51-200 employees
Funding
Current Stage
Growth StageCompany data provided by crunchbase