HPC Category Manager

Viridien () is an advanced technology, digital and Earth data company that pushes the boundaries of science for a more prosperous and sustainable future. With our ingenuity, drive and deep curiosity we discover new insights, innovations, and solutions that efficiently and responsibly resolve complex natural resource, digital, energy transition and infrastructure challenges. Job Details:The Category Manager – IT Infrastructure & Software is responsible for leading strategic sourcing and category management activities across IT infrastructure and enterprise software spend.This role will manage the commercial strategy for High performing compute hardware (servers, compute, storage, networking, accelerators, and data center technologies) as well as enterprise software, SaaS, and licensing agreements. The position partners closely with IT, Engineering, Finance, Legal, and Operations to ensure cost efficiency, supplier performance, and risk mitigation across both CAPEX and OPEX categories.This is a hands-on role requiring strong analytical capability, negotiation skills, and stakeholder collaboration.Key ResponsibilitiesCategory & Sourcing ManagementSupport development and execution of category strategies for IT infrastructure and software.Lead RFx processes, supplier evaluations, benchmarking, and cost analysis.Conduct total cost of ownership (TCO) analysis to support sourcing decisions.Identify cost savings and process improvement opportunities.IT InfrastructureManage sourcing initiatives for servers, GPUs, CPUs, storage, networking, and related data center technologies.Negotiate pricing, delivery schedules, service-level agreements (SLAs), and commercial terms.Support CAPEX planning and procurement execution.Create and manage purchase orders for infrastructure investments.Enterprise SoftwareLead sourcing and negotiation for enterprise software, SaaS, and subscription renewals.Assist in managing licensing models and ensuring alignment with business usage.Partner with IT and Finance to improve visibility into software spend and compliance.Support contract renewals and venor performance management.Supplier & Stakeholder EngagementBuild productive relationships with key hardware and software vendors.Collaborate cross-functionally with IT, Engineering, Finance, and Legal.Track supplier performance and support business reviews.Ensure contracts align with risk management and compliance standards.Required QualificationsBachelor's degree in supply chain, Business, Engineering, IT, or related field (or equivalent experience).5+ years of experience in procurement, strategic sourcing, or category management.Knowledge of IT infrastructure components (servers, storage, networking) and/or enterprise software sourcing.Experience supporting contract negotiations and supplier management.Strong analytical skills with experience in cost modeling and spend analysis.Effective communication and stakeholder management skills.Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities simultaneously.Preferred QualificationsExperience supporting HPC or data center type environments.Familiarity with software licensing models and SaaS agreements.Professional certification (CPSM, CSCP, etc.) is a plus.Our Hiring ProcessAt Viridien, we are committed to delivering a respectful, inclusive, and transparent recruitment experience.Due to the high volume of applications we receive, we may not be able to provide individual feedback to every applicant. Only candidates whose qualifications closely match the role criteria will be contacted for an interview. We do, however, aim to share personalized feedback with those who progress to the first round of interviews and beyond.We are also dedicated to ensuring that our hiring process accessible to all. If you require any reasonable adjustments to fully participate in the application or interview stages, please don't hesitate to contact your recruiter directly.We see things differently. Diversity fuels our innovation, we value the unique ways in which we differ, and we are committed to equal employment opportunities for all professionals.SummaryLocation: Houston, United States of AmericaType: Full time