Regional Category Manager - Lab Operations & CapEx Construction (APAC)
The Regional Category Manager – Lab Operations & CapEx Construction is responsible for leading regional category execution, strategic sourcing, supplier management, and stakeholder partnership activities across Applied Materials’ APAC footprint. This role serves as the primary Category Management lead for Lab Operations, Lab Equipment, Tool Installation, Infrastructure, CapEx Construction, Engineering Services, Construction Management, MRO, and Critical Facilities-related spend across Singapore, Korea, Taiwan, India, and China. The position translates global category strategies into regional execution plans that support major construction programs, semiconductor research and development laboratories, tool installations, critical infrastructure projects, and facility operations. The Regional Category Manager partners closely with Global Workplace & Infrastructure (GWI), SPG, AGS, Facilities, Engineering, Construction Project Teams, Real Estate, Finance, Legal, Risk, and Strategic Sourcing teams to ensure sourcing activities deliver measurable value, improve stakeholder experience, strengthen supplier performance, and reduce operational and commercial risk. At the B4 level, the role operates independently across complex sourcing and category initiatives, influences regional stakeholders, manages strategic suppliers, and contributes market intelligence, supplier insights, and execution learnings to support global category leaders. Scope of Responsibility Lab Operations Semiconductor R&D Labs
Characterization & Metrology Equipment
Laboratory Services
Technical Equipment Services
Tool Maintenance Programs
Engineering Support Services
Consumables and Laboratory MRO
Infrastructure & CapEx Cleanroom Construction
Office and Laboratory Buildouts
Tool Installation Programs
Construction Management
Design and Engineering Services
General Contractors
Specialty Trades
Critical Infrastructure Projects
Managed Supplier Categories Tool OEMs
Construction Contractors
Construction Managers
Design Firms
Engineering Firms
MRO Distributors
Specialty Trade Contractors
Commissioning Providers
Technical Service Suppliers
Mission Alignment Value Capture Deliver measurable value through: Competitive sourcing events
Should-cost modeling
Commercial negotiations
Demand aggregation
Supplier rationalization
Rate card optimization
Change-order governance
Lifecycle cost optimization
Client Journey Serve as a trusted business partner by: Providing predictable engagement
Supporting project planning and execution
Improving sourcing transparency
Streamlining supplier interactions
Driving proactive stakeholder communication
Risk Management Integrate risk considerations into: Supplier selection
Contracting strategies
Tool installation programs
Construction projects
Service agreements
Capacity planning
Single-source dependencies
Optimize Capability Support adoption of: Standard category playbooks
Governance models
Preferred supplier programs
Commercial frameworks
Supplier performance processes
Category management best practices
Key Responsibilities
- Regional Category Strategy Deployment
Translate global category strategies into APAC execution plans.
Develop regional sourcing roadmaps aligned to construction projects, laboratory expansion programs, tool installations, and operational requirements.
Identify regional market dynamics and supplier capabilities that influence category strategy.
Provide insights regarding supplier markets, labor availability, pricing trends, capacity constraints, and regional operating considerations.
Support category governance reviews and strategic planning activities.
- CapEx Construction & Infrastructure Management
Lead sourcing and supplier management activities for construction and infrastructure projects throughout APAC.
Support cleanroom projects, laboratory expansions, facility upgrades, and critical infrastructure initiatives.
Manage General Contractor and Construction Manager engagement strategies.
Support development of supplier panels and preferred contractor programs.
Drive commercial alignment across design-build, CMAR, GMP, lump sum, and time-and-materials contracting structures.
Improve cost transparency through benchmarking, should-cost analysis, and rate-card governance.
- Lab Operations, Tool Install & Technical Services
Lead regional execution of laboratory equipment, laboratory services, MRO, and tool installation category strategies.
Partner with SPG, AGS, and engineering stakeholders to support laboratory operations and technology roadmaps.
Coordinate sourcing activities across new tool purchases, maintenance services, equipment upgrades, and installation programs.
Support lifecycle management of critical laboratory assets.
Improve total cost of ownership through supplier consolidation, commercial optimization, and service model improvements.
- Strategic Sourcing & Commercial Leadership
Lead competitive sourcing activities including RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, and negotiations.
Develop negotiation strategies and commercial recommendations.
Perform supplier assessments, bid evaluations, and total cost analyses.
Drive contract execution in partnership with Legal and Contracting teams.
Deliver measurable cost savings, cost avoidance, and business value.
This role is expected to demonstrate advanced proficiency in sourcing strategy, negotiation, stakeholder management, and commercial analysis.
- Supplier Relationship Management
Manage strategic supplier relationships across assigned categories.
Lead supplier review meetings and performance discussions.
Monitor supplier quality, delivery, cost, innovation, and risk metrics.
Resolve supplier escalations and performance issues.
Support executive-level supplier engagement activities.
Promote supplier-led innovation and business improvement opportunities.
- Business Partnership & Stakeholder Management
Act as the primary category management contact for regional stakeholders.
Build trusted relationships with GWI, SPG, AGS, Facilities, Real Estate, Engineering, and Project Leadership teams.
Provide category expertise and commercial guidance on project and operational decisions.
Present recommendations and sourcing outcomes to leadership teams.
Support governance forums and category reviews.
High levels of stakeholder influence, strategic thinking, and executive communication are expected at the B4 level.
- Risk, Compliance & Governance
Monitor supplier, commercial, operational, and market risks.
Support supplier qualification and onboarding activities.
Ensure sourcing and contracting activities comply with Applied requirements.
Partner with Legal, Risk, GIRM, and Finance on complex supplier decisions.
Escalate issues requiring category leadership support.
Qualifications Required Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Supply Chain, Business, or related discipline.
Minimum 8+ years of experience in Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, Procurement, Construction Management, Tool Installation, Facilities Management, Engineering Services, or Technical Operations.
Experience supporting semiconductor, advanced manufacturing, laboratory, cleanroom, or mission-critical environments.
Demonstrated success leading complex sourcing programs and supplier negotiations.
Experience managing suppliers across multiple APAC countries.
Strong commercial acumen and contract management capability.
Strong analytical and financial skills.
Ability to work effectively in a highly matrixed global organization.
Preferred Semiconductor fab or R&D laboratory experience.
CapEx construction and tool installation expertise.
Experience with construction contracting models.
Experience managing OEM suppliers.
Familiarity with Ariba, Scout, Sievo, SAP, and sourcing analytics tools.
CPSM, CIPS, CPM, PMP, MBA, or similar credentials.
Core Capabilities Category Management Category planning
Market intelligence
Supplier segmentation
Business case development
Strategic Sourcing Competitive sourcing
Negotiation strategy
Contract structuring
Cost modeling
Stakeholder Management Business partnership
Executive communication
Influence without authority
Cross-functional leadership
Supplier Leadership Supplier performance management
SRM governance
Innovation management
Escalation management
Commercial Acumen Financial analysis
Total cost of ownership
Should-cost modeling
Value capture governance
Risk Management Supplier risk
Project risk
Contract risk
Compliance governance
Technical Expertise Capital construction
Engineering services
Tool installation
Laboratory operations
Facilities and infrastructure sourcing
Success Measures Regional category plans successfully deployed across APAC.
Improved stakeholder satisfaction and engagement.
Measurable value capture and cost optimization delivered.
Reduction in sourcing cycle times and supplier escalations.
Strong supplier performance across strategic providers.
Successful execution of construction, infrastructure, and laboratory support initiatives.
Consistent adoption of GSP category management standards and sourcing governance processes.
Effective strategy-to-execution alignment between Category Management, Strategic Sourcing, and Operations teams