Category Manager, Data Centre

About the role

Singapore, Singapore

Company

Singtel Group

The Category Manager, Data Centre Construction and Fitout is responsible for developing and executing end-to-end category strategies for Data Centre Construction and Data Hall Fitout packages in Singapore and across the region. The role focuses on driving cost savings, improving sourcing efficiencies and managing supply risks while balancing business requirements and stakeholder expectations.

The Category Manager is expected to stay abreast of supply market trends and economic developments within the data centre industry and demonstrate proficiency in applying appropriate sourcing strategies and commercial levers to achieve optimal procurement outcomes.

The role works closely with Engineering, Project Delivery, Operations and Finance to achieve competitive total costs, timely contract awards, supplier reliability and sound procurement governance. Key responsibilities include managing supplier market intelligence, sourcing plans, negotiations, contract performance and lifecycle risks, leveraging data analytics and approved AI-enabled tools where appropriate.

Strategic Sourcing

• Drive cost optimisation initiatives within the assigned category to support business requirements.
• Develop and execute procurement category strategies for data centre construction and fitout to drive cost optimisation, sourcing efficiencies and supply risk management.
• Proactively engage business stakeholders and Finance teams to identify sourcing and savings opportunities and leverage spend across the Group.
• Conduct spend analysis and collaborate with key business stakeholders to develop and implement effective strategic sourcing initiatives.
• Lead key sourcing events, develop negotiation strategies and drive cost savings through scope and technical evaluations, Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) analysis and commercial negotiations in collaboration with stakeholders and Legal teams.
• Provide relevant market knowledge, supplier intelligence and procurement expertise to support business decisions.

Supplier Management

• Evaluate and qualify suppliers based on technical capabilities, financial resilience, Health, Safety and Environment (HSE) standards, quality, resources and delivery capacity.
• Establish and maintain strategic partnerships with key suppliers to identify and implement cost improvement initiatives aligned with category strategies.
• Manage strategic supplier relationships and performance through regular supplier meetings, business reviews and performance evaluations to drive continuous improvement and deliver additional value.
• Monitor supplier performance and provide timely feedback to ensure service quality, delivery reliability and contractual compliance.
• Support contract administration activities, including changes, claims, liquidated damages (LDs), warranties, defects liability and contract close-out, in coordination with project and Legal teams.
• Ensure clear coordination and accountability across General Contractors (GC), specialist contractors, customer fitout teams and owner-furnished equipment suppliers.

Governance, Process Improvement and Procurement Operations

• Ensure procurement activities comply with established procurement policies, procedures and governance requirements.
• Provide guidance to business users on procurement policies, processes and best practices.
• Review existing category procurement processes and policies to identify operational challenges, bottlenecks and opportunities for improvement.
• Drive continuous improvement in procurement value and quality through data analytics, cost analysis and process reviews.
• Maintain accurate and audit-ready sourcing records, contract registers, supplier risk logs and contract award justifications.
• Support local project teams on urgent procurement packages while managing single-source procurement and contract variation risks.
• Improve RFx templates, rate cards, market intelligence capabilities and procurement cycle times to enhance sourcing effectiveness and operational efficiency.

Category Management

• Develop and implement innovative category management and sourcing strategies, establish cross-divisional procurement processes and optimise sourcing approaches with qualified suppliers to maximise procurement value and business outcomes.
• Apply strong analytical capabilities to conduct detailed category and spend analysis, identify procurement opportunities and recommend cost-effective sourcing strategies.
• Manage category performance reporting, identify issues and challenges and recommend appropriate corrective actions.
• Collaborate with Design, Construction, Operations, Finance and Legal teams to align forecast demand, project scopes, schedules and commercial risk management.
• Monitor and report realised savings, cost avoidance, tender cycle times, award-to-need-date adherence, supplier delivery and quality performance, contract variations and compliance.
• Coordinate with regional category leads to align standard equipment procurement and regional agreements with local construction and fitout requirements.
• Capture lessons learned and contribute to the development of repeatable specifications and procurement best practices for future projects.

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor's Degree in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying or a related field, or equivalent relevant qualifications.
• At least 5 years of relevant experience in sourcing, category management, quantity surveying or construction, preferably within data centre or infrastructure projects.
• Experience in leading supplier contract negotiations and managing commercial negotiations.
• Proven experience in developing and implementing procurement strategies, with a demonstrated track record of delivering financial savings.
• Experience in construction and fitout procurement.
• Experience in reviewing project scopes and Bills of Quantities (BOQ).
• Strong cost benchmarking, tender evaluation and quantity surveying skills.
• Good project management and stakeholder coordination skills.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel and financial calculations.
• Good presentation and Microsoft PowerPoint skills.
• Proficiency in using e-sourcing tools such as iValua and enterprise systems such as SAP.
• Good knowledge of procurement principles, processes and best practices.

Good to Have

• Experience in procurement within a multinational organisation or relevant technical experience in Mechanical and Electrical (M&E) or construction works.
• Familiarity with construction contracts, either locally or internationally.
• Experience in a regional or global procurement role.
• Experience as a Quantity Surveyor.
• Experience in utilising AI tools and developing AI agents to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of work processes.

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