Category Manager, Thermal (HVAC) Equipment

Basic Function

SB Energy is seeking a strategic and technically capable Category Manager, Thermal (HVAC) Equipment to lead sourcing, supplier management, manufacturing coordination, and category execution activities for mission-critical electrical infrastructure supporting next-generation AI factory and advanced data center deployment programs.

Reporting to the Director, the Category Manager will be responsible for managing supplier relationships, sourcing strategies, commercial negotiations, manufacturing coordination, and supply continuity planning across critical electrical infrastructure equipment categories.

The Category Manager will work closely with engineering, construction, commissioning, logistics, procurement engineering, and project stakeholders to support deployment readiness, Basis of Design alignment, manufacturing scalability, and long-range infrastructure growth across a rapidly expanding portfolio.

This role will play a key part in securing supply continuity, improving supplier performance, managing commercial and operational risk, and supporting deployment velocity for critical electrical infrastructure systems supporting hyperscale AI infrastructure.

The ideal candidate combines strong strategic sourcing and supplier management capabilities with technical understanding of mission-critical electrical systems, manufacturing operations, and infrastructure deployment environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead sourcing and category management activities for mechanical, HVAC infrastructure equipment supporting AI factory and advanced data center deployment programs
• Develop and execute sourcing strategies across categories including:
  • Liquid cooling systems
  • Chillers
  • CRAH/CRAC systems
  • Cooling towers
  • Heat exchangers
  • Pumping systems
  • Hydronic systems
  • Thermal skids and modular cooling infrastructure
• Support supplier selection, bid evaluations, commercial negotiations, and contract execution activities
• Develop long-term supplier relationships and strategic sourcing plans supporting infrastructure growth and deployment scalability
• Identify opportunities to improve supply continuity, supplier competitiveness, deployment velocity, and commercial performance
• Manage supplier relationships and ongoing commercial coordination activities across thermal infrastructure suppliers
• Monitor supplier manufacturing schedules, production readiness, lead times, and delivery commitments
• Coordinate with suppliers regarding:
  • Manufacturing status
  • Capacity planning
  • Forecast alignment
  • Delivery schedules
  • Operational risks
  • Escalation management
• Support supplier operational reviews, performance management, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Assist with supplier onboarding, qualification, and manufacturing readiness evaluations
• Collaborate with engineering and design teams to align sourcing activities with standard OFCI Basis of Design requirements
• Support technical review and procurement coordination for equipment specifications, supplier submittals, and performance requirements
• Participate in supplier technical review meetings and equipment evaluation activities
• Coordinate with procurement engineering and commissioning teams supporting FAT, SAT, and equipment validation activities
• Support standardization initiatives and technology evaluation efforts across thermal infrastructure systems
• Supply Planning, Logistics & Deployment Coordination
• Support long-range supply planning and integrated business planning (IBP) activities related to thermal infrastructure deployment forecasts
• Coordinate closely with Supply Chain Operations & Control Tower teams regarding:
  • Delivery schedules
  • Logistics coordination
  • Inventory visibility
  • Deployment readiness
  • Site sequencing requirements
• Monitor market conditions, manufacturing constraints, commodity exposure, and supply chain risks impacting thermal equipment availability
• Support risk mitigation planning and contingency strategies related to critical thermal equipment deployment
• Support management of purchase commitments, commercial obligations, and supplier performance metrics
• Develop reporting and analytics related to:
• Support management of purchase commitments, commercial obligations, and supplier performance metrics
• Develop reporting and analytics related to:
  • Supplier performance
  • Manufacturing readiness
  • Delivery reliability
  • Lead time trends
  • Capacity constraints
  • Commercial exposure
• Coordinate with finance, sourcing, operations, and project controls teams to support forecasting and deployment planning activities
• Maintain accurate supplier documentation, procurement records, and operational reporting data

Qualifications/Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or related field required
• 5+ years of experience in category management, strategic sourcing, supplier management, procurement, or supply chain operations within infrastructure, industrial, manufacturing, HVAC, thermal systems, or mission-critical environments
• Minimum 7+ years of professional experience
• Strong understanding of thermal management infrastructure systems supporting data centers, industrial facilities, energy infrastructure, or large-scale construction projects
• Experience sourcing or managing categories such as chillers, cooling systems, HVAC infrastructure, liquid cooling technologies, or related thermal equipment preferred
• Strong supplier management, commercial negotiation, and operational coordination capabilities
• Familiarity with manufacturing operations, lead time management, supplier capacity planning, and deployment coordination processes
• Ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, construction, logistics, operations, and supplier organizations
• Experience supporting large-scale infrastructure, hyperscale data center, industrial, or mission-critical deployment programs strongly preferred
• Strong analytical, communication, organizational, and stakeholder management skills
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in fast-paced infrastructure deployment environment

Location: San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, CA, or Denver, CO. Hybrid.

Remote locations within the United States will also be considered on a case by case basis.

Base Pay - $140,000-$165,000

The pay range mentioned above is a guideline. We tailor each offer based on your unique skills, experience, location, and market benchmarks—while ensuring internal parity across our teams. In addition to competitive base pay, total compensation may include a discretionary annual bonus and a market leading comprehensive health and wellness benefits package. Final details will be discussed during the later stages of the hiring process.

Our Health & Wellness Benefits

At SB Energy, we invest in our people and their families with benefits designed for flexibility, support, and peace of mind. Full-time employees enjoy:

• 100% Company-Paid Medical, Dental & Vision (for employees and dependents)
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Generous Paid Time Off + 11 Paid Holidays
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Life, AD&D & Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical, Dependent Care, Transit & Parking (with company contributions)
• Mental, Physical & Social Wellness Support (with company contributions)
• Flexible Work Arrangements & Hybrid Office Setup Benefits
• Monthly Reimbursement for Phone, Internet & Data
• Optional Legal & Pet Insurance Plans
• Device Purchase Support

At SB Energy, the success of our projects is driven by a desire to see our projects benefit as many people as possible. We work to serve local communities through volunteering, fundraising, and much more. For example, we’re proud to support access and opportunity in engineering and clean energy through impactful mentorship programs and workforce training. When you join SB Energy, you can become a part of these efforts, collaborating with team members who share a vision of building a better future now!

SB Energy is built on a foundation of collaboration and inclusion. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer.