Grid Solutions Category Management, Director

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Equinix is the world’s digital infrastructure company®, shortening the path to connectivity to enable the innovations that enrich our work, life and planet.

A place where bold ideas are welcomed, human connection is valued, and everyone has the opportunity to shape their future.

A career at Equinix means being at the center of shaping what comes next and amplifying customer value through innovation and impact. You’ll work across teams, influence key decisions, and help shape the path forward. You’ll find belonging, purpose, and a team that welcomes you—because when you feel valued, you’re empowered to do your best work.

Job Summary

As Director, Grid Solutions Category Management (AMER) under Global Procurement, you will secure the substations and on‑site power generation (OSPG) capacity and delivery that enables powering of new data center projects and future growth across the region. You will lead the power procurement strategy; identifying and validating OEM/EPC partners, shaping budgets, locking in capacity, and sourcing to de‑risk schedules. You will own the Substation & OSPG category plan, negotiate global capacity and frame agreements, drive total cost and schedule certainty across a high‑stakes, multi‑million‑dollar CAPEX project.

You will be the connective tissue between Global Procurement, Global Design & Construction, Global Energy, and Operations; bringing market intelligence, rigorous category management, and technology partner evaluation to accelerate delivery while improving reliability and safety. You will champion supplier performance, introduce new technologies or new vendors where they genuinely reduce risk or cost, and ensure early commitments to enable substation and OSPG on time energization. Success looks like MW delivered on time, capacity secured ahead of demand, measurable cost avoidance, and a supplier ecosystem that scales with Equinix’s growth ambitions. If you thrive at the nexus of power systems, large‑capex procurement, and execution certainty—this role is for you.

Responsibilities

Power procurement & Capacity Strategy

• Define the AMER grid solutions procurement strategy aligned to site pipeline and energization milestones

• Identify/validate OEMs, EPCs, and key tier2 suppliers; map regional capacity and lead times

• Shape early budgets, recommend early commitments to derisk schedules

• Translate demand forecasts into executable capacity forecasts with global vendors

Category Management (Substation and OnSite Power Generation)

• Own category plan and governance, including vendor selection, new product or technology introduction, benchmark, and framework contracts

• Own full product/solution lifecycle, from inception through general availability to end of life

• Monitor and maintain full industry and market knowledge of category, suppliers, best practices, and competitive landscape

• Drive total cost of ownership (TCO), schedule certainty, and quality/safety outcomes

• Manage escalations

• Accountable for spend category management strategies and action plans

• Monitors and maintains full industry and market knowledge of category, suppliers, best practices, and competitive landscape

• Communicate and collaborate with all key stakeholders including executive level staff to ensure alignment of the overall strategy

Strategic Sourcing & Negotiation

• Lead complex RFPs/RFIs, bid leveling, and multiround negotiations (price, capacity, terms,)

• Construct global framework agreements

• Implement price/indexation strategies and long lead equipment reservation where appropriate

• Secure capacity and availability with OEMs/EPCs; structure multisite frameworks, prebuy strategies for long lead items and options

Supplier Relationship & Performance Management

• Leads the end-to-end supplier management process

• Build executive level relationships with OEM/EPC leadership; chair QBRs

• Set KPIs (OTD, FPY, MTBF, capacity adherence); drive corrective actions and continuous improvement

• Develop competitive sourcing and regionalization strategies to increase resilience

• Cultivate and manage strategic internal and vendor relationships, driving collaboration and long-term partnerships

Cost and Risk analysis

• Own TCO modeling, identifying performance-to-cost trade-offs for large-scale deployments, and budget estimation with Commercial team

• Drives and delivers cost savings opportunities and other demonstrable business benefits

• Proactively identify supply, permitting, design logistics and installation / Commissioning risks; maintain mitigation plans

Cross Functional Leadership & Governance

• Partner closely with Global Design & Construction, Global Energy, and Operations on specifications, schedules, and commissioning.

• Standardize technical, project management, commercial and commssioning templates with Global Design & Construction for repeatability at scale

• Run stage gate readiness for procurement, ensuring design maturity meets commitment points

Compliance, Sustainability & Safety

• Ensure adherence to company policies, codes/standards, and EH&S requirements

• Embed supplier sustainability (carbon, circularity, ethics) and diversity objectives into agreements

• Maintain auditable sourcing documentation and contracting discipline

Qualifications

• 12+ years in strategic sourcing/category management for HV switchgear, power transformer, substations, or power generation (OEM/EPC)

• Bachelor’s in Supply Chain Management, Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, or related field

• Professional certifications (CPSM, CIPS, PMP, PE) advantageous

• Proven delivery of global capacity agreements, frame contracts, and prebuy/inventory strategies

• Strong negotiation track record

• Executive stakeholder management; clear, data driven storytelling and supplier executive engagement

• Proven track record in consulting, engineering design, and end-to-end management of large-scale utility or industrial power projects

• Demonstrated leadership in managing cross functional teams, budgets, and project execution across multiple locations

• Client-facing, communication, and business development skills

• Deep understanding of HV/MV substations (AIS/GIS), transformers, protection & control, and SCADA system as well as OSPG technologies

• Working knowledge of utility interconnection practices and regulatory requirements.

• Working knowledge of relevant codes and standards and commissioning practices

• Ability to translate technical requirements into commercial levers and contractual protections

• Ability to travel domestically and internationally as required (up to 30%)

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree, Supply Chain Management, Electrical Engineering, Power Systems, or related field

Equinix Benefits

As an employee, you become important to Equinix’s success. We ensure all your benefits are in line with our core values: competitive, inclusive, sustainable, connected and efficient. We keep them competitive within the current marketplace to ensure we’re providing you with the best package possible. So, wherever you are in your career and life, you’ll be able to enhance your experience and bring your whole self to work.

Employee Assistance Program : An Employee Assistance program is available to all employees.

US Benefits: - Insurance: You may enroll in health, life, disability and voluntary plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members. - Retirement: You and Equinix may contribute to a retirement plan to help you plan for your financial future. - Paid Time Off (PTO) and Paid Holidays: You will receive an accrued amount of PTO each pay period along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific plan or program terms. Canada Core Benefits: - Insurance: You may enroll in healthcare coverage that is designed to complement the provincial healthcare system, along with life, disability and optional benefit plans that are designed for you and your eligible family members. - Retirement: You may also enroll in Equinix-sponsored retirement or savings plans: Defined Contribution Pension Plan (DCPP), Group Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) and Tax-Free Savings Plan (TSFA). - Vacation and Paid Holidays: Equinix offers both vacation and personal time, along with various paid holidays for you to rest and recharge. Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits. Benefits are subject to specific plan or program terms, and to change at Equinix discretion.

Equinix is committed to ensuring that our employment process is open to all individuals, including those with a disability. If you are a qualified candidate and need assistance or an accommodation, please let us know by completing this form .

Equinix is an Equal Employment Opportunity and, in the U.S., an Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to unlawful consideration of race, color, religion, creed, national or ethnic origin, ancestry, place of birth, citizenship, sex, pregnancy / childbirth or related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, marital or domestic partnership status, age, veteran or military status, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, political / organizational affiliation, status as a victim or family member of a victim of crime or abuse, or any other status protected by applicable law.

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