Category Manager, Manufacturing
Fluidstack, Austin, TX, United States
About Fluidstack
At Fluidstack, we build the compute, data centers, and power that will fuel artificial superintelligence. We supply GWs of compute capabilities to the world’s biggest AI Labs at industry-defining speeds.
Our team is small, fast, and obsessed with quality. We own outcomes end-to-end, challenge assumptions, and treat our customers' problems as our own. No task is beneath anyone here.
There are a few thousand people who will shape the trajectory of superintelligence. Come and be one of them.
About the role
Manufacturing Category Manager will assist with the standing up of the manufacturing facility with capex purchase. Partner with strategic sourcing for a procurement strategy for indirect spend categories, including raw materials. Rollout and track and inventory strategy to meet assembly line performance needs. Assist with the MRO (maintenance, repair & operations), capital equipment, contract services, and packaging for the facility. This role partners cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Manufacturing Finance, and Engineering.
Category Strategy & Sourcing
Develop and execute multi-year category strategies aligned with manufacturing roadmaps.
Lead supplier selection, and assist with contract negotiations
Analyze spend data, market dynamics, and cost drivers
Supplier Relationship Management
Manage strategic manufacturing supplier relationships, including quarterly business reviews (QBRs) and KPI scorecards.
Drive supplier development programs to improve quality, delivery, responsiveness, and total cost of ownership.
Lead dual-source and alternate-source qualification activities in partnership with Engineering and Quality.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, and R&D to support new product introduction (NPI)
Collaborate with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, inventory and variance reporting for managed categories.
Serve as the primary procurement point of contact for plant operations and MRO programs.
Data & Continuous Improvement
Leverage ERP, e-procurement, and analytics tools to drive data-driven decision making.
Rollout Manufacturing KPI to measure performance using AI tooling
Maintain accurate spend, contract, and supplier data in procurement systems.
What You’ll Do
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or Finance.
Demonstrated track record of delivering measurable cost savings and supply chain improvements.
Strong negotiation skills with experience.
Proficiency with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent) and Microsoft Office Suite.
Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, BOM structures, and total cost of ownership modeling.
Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred qualifications
Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or supplier development programs.
Familiarity with e-sourcing platforms (Ariba, Coupa, Jaggaer).
Exposure to global sourcing, import/export compliance, and multi-currency contracting.
Advanced degree (MBA or MS) in a relevant field.
Salary and Benefits
The base salary range for this position is $130,000 to $180,000 per year, depending on experience, skills, qualifications, and location. This range represents our good faith estimate of the compensation for this role at the time of posting. Total compensation may also include equity in the form of stock options.
Additional benefits include:
Competitive total compensation package (salary + equity)
Retirement or pension plan, in line with local norms
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Generous PTO policy, in line with local norms
We are committed to pay equity and transparency.
Fluidstack is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and protected veterans’ status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Fluidstack will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records pursuant to applicable law.
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At Fluidstack, we build the compute, data centers, and power that will fuel artificial superintelligence. We supply GWs of compute capabilities to the world’s biggest AI Labs at industry-defining speeds.
Our team is small, fast, and obsessed with quality. We own outcomes end-to-end, challenge assumptions, and treat our customers' problems as our own. No task is beneath anyone here.
There are a few thousand people who will shape the trajectory of superintelligence. Come and be one of them.
About the role
Manufacturing Category Manager will assist with the standing up of the manufacturing facility with capex purchase. Partner with strategic sourcing for a procurement strategy for indirect spend categories, including raw materials. Rollout and track and inventory strategy to meet assembly line performance needs. Assist with the MRO (maintenance, repair & operations), capital equipment, contract services, and packaging for the facility. This role partners cross-functionally with Supply Chain, Manufacturing Finance, and Engineering.
Category Strategy & Sourcing
Develop and execute multi-year category strategies aligned with manufacturing roadmaps.
Lead supplier selection, and assist with contract negotiations
Analyze spend data, market dynamics, and cost drivers
Supplier Relationship Management
Manage strategic manufacturing supplier relationships, including quarterly business reviews (QBRs) and KPI scorecards.
Drive supplier development programs to improve quality, delivery, responsiveness, and total cost of ownership.
Lead dual-source and alternate-source qualification activities in partnership with Engineering and Quality.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Manufacturing, Engineering, and R&D to support new product introduction (NPI)
Collaborate with Finance on budgeting, forecasting, inventory and variance reporting for managed categories.
Serve as the primary procurement point of contact for plant operations and MRO programs.
Data & Continuous Improvement
Leverage ERP, e-procurement, and analytics tools to drive data-driven decision making.
Rollout Manufacturing KPI to measure performance using AI tooling
Maintain accurate spend, contract, and supplier data in procurement systems.
What You’ll Do
Basic Qualifications
Bachelor's degree in Supply Chain, Business, Engineering, or Finance.
Demonstrated track record of delivering measurable cost savings and supply chain improvements.
Strong negotiation skills with experience.
Proficiency with ERP systems (SAP, Oracle, or equivalent) and Microsoft Office Suite.
Solid understanding of manufacturing processes, BOM structures, and total cost of ownership modeling.
Excellent analytical, communication, and stakeholder management skills.
Preferred qualifications
Experience with lean manufacturing, Six Sigma, or supplier development programs.
Familiarity with e-sourcing platforms (Ariba, Coupa, Jaggaer).
Exposure to global sourcing, import/export compliance, and multi-currency contracting.
Advanced degree (MBA or MS) in a relevant field.
Salary and Benefits
The base salary range for this position is $130,000 to $180,000 per year, depending on experience, skills, qualifications, and location. This range represents our good faith estimate of the compensation for this role at the time of posting. Total compensation may also include equity in the form of stock options.
Additional benefits include:
Competitive total compensation package (salary + equity)
Retirement or pension plan, in line with local norms
Health, dental, and vision insurance
Generous PTO policy, in line with local norms
We are committed to pay equity and transparency.
Fluidstack is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, disability and protected veterans’ status, or any other characteristic protected by law. Fluidstack will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records pursuant to applicable law.
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