**Who We Are**

Applied Materials is a global leader in materials engineering solutions used to produce virtually every new chip and advanced display in the world. We design, build and service cutting-edge equipment that helps our customers manufacture display and semiconductor chips – the brains of devices we use every day. As the foundation of the global electronics industry, Applied enables the exciting technologies that literally connect our world – like AI and IoT. If you want to push the boundaries of materials science and engineering to create next generation technology, join us to deliver material innovation that changes the world.

**What We Offer**

Salary:

$101,000.00 - $139,000.00

Location:

Santa Clara,CA

You’ll benefit from a supportive work culture that encourages you to learn, develop, and grow your career as you take on challenges and drive innovative solutions for our customers. We empower our team to push the boundaries of what is possible—while learning every day in a supportive leading global company. Visit our Careers website to learn more.

At Applied Materials, we care about the health and wellbeing of our employees. We’re committed to providing programs and support that encourage personal and professional growth and care for you at work, at home, or wherever you may go. Learn more about our benefits (https://hrportal.ehr.com/applied/) .

**Job Summary**

As a Category Specialist within the Global Sourcing and Procurement team, you will support sourcing initiatives, contract and supplier management with primary accountability for cost control, technical cost validation, and supplier performance governance across Tool Installation. This role requires regular on-site engagement with stakeholders to understand business needs and priorities. You will apply your expertise to solve complex sourcing challenges and drive measurable value across execution-heavy Tool Installation delivery in Santa Clara, particularly in rate discipline, change order governance, and supplier performance stability. The environment spans continuous RFx cycles, cost and technical validation of change orders, supplier bench health checks, and ongoing re-contracting across a large, capacity-constrained supplier ecosystem.

**Key Responsibilities**

+ Support execution of Tool Installation strategies with emphasis on cost control, value capture, and supplier performance outcomes.

+ Maintain strong onsite stakeholder engagement across Engineering, Facilities, Finance, Legal, and BU partners.

+ Execute rate card benchmarking and pricing analytics to support negotiations and pricing reasonableness.

+ Lead technical and cost validation of change orders including scope alignment, pricing substantiation, and approval documentation.

+ Manage supplier performance through scorecards, corrective actions, and continuous improvement across a large supplier base.

+ Deliver program and process enhancements including standard scopes, unit-price frameworks, and governance controls.

+ Monitor market trends and cost drivers; translate insights into sourcing and governance actions.

+ Ensure compliance with company policies, safety standards, confidentiality requirements, and audit-ready documentation.

+ Document procurement activities and support training and enablement for repeatable execution models.

+ Maintain working proficiency in RFx leadership and sourcing execution to provide coverage across workstreams.

**Qualifications & Expertise**

+ Depth in strategic sourcing for construction and technical services with strong competency in pricing governance and supplier performance management.

+ Strong understanding of execution realities in highly technical R&D environments with overlapping programs.

+ Ability to solve first-generation problems without established precedent.

+ Skill in contract negotiation support and risk mitigation aligned with Finance and Legal governance.

+ Strong analytical capability across rate structures, benchmarking, and change order substantiation.

+ Excellent communication and interpersonal skills supporting in-person collaboration.

**Education & Experience**

+ Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain, Engineering, Business, or related field; advanced degree preferred.

+ Seven or more years of experience in sourcing, procurement, category management, cost or pricing governance, and supplier performance management, preferably in construction or technical services.

Specialization: Tool Installation – cost control and value capture; rate benchmarking, change order validation, supplier performance management; program and process enhancements

**Additional Information**

**Time Type:**

Full time

**Employee Type:**

Assignee / Regular

**Travel:**

Yes, 10% of the Time

**Relocation Eligible:**

The salary offered to a selected candidate will be based on multiple factors including location, hire grade, job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and with consideration of internal equity of our current team members. In addition to a comprehensive benefits package, candidates may be eligible for other forms of compensation such as participation in a bonus and a stock award program, as applicable.

For all sales roles, the posted salary range is the Target Total Cash (TTC) range for the role, which is the sum of base salary and target bonus amount at 100% goal achievement.

Applied Materials is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, national origin, citizenship, ancestry, religion, creed, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law.

In addition, Applied endeavors to make our careers site (https://www.appliedmaterials.com/us/en/careers.html) accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us via e-mail at Accommodations_Program@amat.com, or by calling our HR Direct Help Line at 877-612-7547, option 1, and following the prompts to speak to an HR Advisor. This contact is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.