Global Category Manager - Human Capital Services

Who We Are 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.  What We Offer Salary: $108,000.00 - $148,500.00 Location: Austin,TX 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 .  Role Summary The Global Category Manager - Human Capital Services is the strategic owner of an assigned category of spend, accountable for defining the global category strategy and delivering outcomes across value capture, stakeholder experience, and risk management. This role sets direction (the “WHAT”) through category strategies, supplier portfolio and segmentation decisions, governance, and demand/value roadmaps, while enabling scaled execution (the “HOW”) through Strategic Sourcing Managers and the Sourcing Center of Excellence (SCoE). Operating in a center‑led ‘one house’ model, the Global Category Manager orchestrates cross‑functional alignment, ensures consistent global standards with regional nuance, and drives measurable business impact for Applied Materials. Role at a Glance Job Title Global Category Manager - Human Capital Services Organization Global Sourcing & Procurement (GSP) – Global Category & Sourcing Reports To Category Leader / Portfolio Leader (per org design) Primary Purpose Own the category strategy, supplier portfolio, governance, and outcome delivery across the enterprise. Primary Interfaces Business Unit leaders/stakeholders, Strategic Sourcing Managers, SCoE Leaders, Supplier Executives, Finance (Value Capture), Risk/TPRM, Contracting CoE/Legal, Operations/BPO Operating Model Category defines strategy and guardrails; Sourcing executes and refines through data/insights; one unified global team. Scope Anchors Global category strategy + wave plan; supplier segmentation and SRM; demand management; risk and compliance integration; category councils and performance governance. Category Scope Talent Acquisition (TA) Services Own global category strategy, sourcing, and supplier governance for recruiting, executive search, and assessment services, aligned to enterprise hiring demand. Lead supplier segmentation, commercial models, and performance management (SLAs/KPIs), partnering with HR while Procurement retains ownership of supplier selection and contracts. Talent Retention (TR) Services Define and execute category strategies for benefits administration, global mobility, immigration, relocation, and expatriate services. Drive market intelligence, sourcing decisions, contracting frameworks, and supplier performance governance in support of HR‑led programs. Learning & Development (L&D) Services Lead category strategy and supplier management for learning content, platforms, leadership development, and coaching services. Optimize supplier portfolios and commercial outcomes while partnering with HR on demand alignment and capability priorities. Mission Alignment (GSP “Definition of Winning”) Value Capture: establish multi‑year value levers (savings, cost avoidance, productivity, revenue enablement) and deliver results through a governed pipeline. Client Journey: build proactive stakeholder engagement models and predictable delivery experiences through clear intake, governance, and communication. Risk Management: embed third‑party and supply‑market risk thinking into category strategies, supplier decisions, and contracting guardrails. Optimize Capability: enable the organization through playbooks, standards, and a talent pipeline that improves execution quality over time. Key Responsibilities 1) Global Category Strategy & Roadmap Ownership Define and maintain a multi‑year global category strategy that aligns to Applied and GSP priorities, including clear goals, value levers, and execution waves. Establish category scope, taxonomy alignment, and a demand/supply perspective (demand signals, business requirements, supply market dynamics). Develop and refresh a category roadmap that sequences initiatives by impact, urgency, risk, and capacity, maintaining a forward‑looking pipeline. 2) Supplier Portfolio Strategy, Segmentation & SRM Own supplier portfolio design and segmentation (strategic, preferred, transactional) and define the engagement model for each segment. Lead strategic supplier relationship management (SRM) for priority suppliers: performance, innovation, commercial governance, and executive alignment. Drive supplier rationalization and consolidation opportunities that improve leverage, simplify operations, and reduce total cost of ownership. 3) Business Partnership (BRM) & Stakeholder Governance Serve as a trusted advisor to business unit leadership; translate business objectives into category strategies and sourcing priorities. Lead category councils and governance forums (e.g., value/risk reviews, supplier performance reviews) to drive decisions, alignment, and accountability. Set stakeholder en