[Hiring] Director, Category Management - Data Center Cooling @Riot Platforms, Inc.

Role Description

The Director, Category Management – Data Center Cooling drives the global end-to-end category strategy, strategic sourcing, and supplier development for hyper-scale data center mechanical infrastructure. In this senior role, you will manage a multi-hundred-million-dollar annual spend across key thermal management systems, including:

• Chillers
• Computer Room Air Handlers (CRAHs)
• Air Handling Units (AHUs)
• Direct-to-Chip Liquid Cooling
• Containment solutions

You will act as the primary commercial authority for critical thermal suppliers, aligning engineering roadmaps, securing manufacturing capacity, and establishing resilient, cost-optimized supply chains to support rapid global data center deployment.

What you'll do

• Category Strategy & Execution: Develop and execute multi-year global strategic sourcing strategies for mechanical cooling commodities to ensure capacity, quality, and total cost of ownership (TCO) optimization.
• Supplier Relationship & Development: Manage executive-level relationships with Tier-1 and Tier-2 cooling OEMs. Drive supplier capacity expansion, technical innovation, and performance scorecards.
• Commercial Negotiation & Contracting: Lead complex negotiations for Master Purchasing Agreements (MSAs), Long Term Agreements (LTAs), long-lead capacity reservations, and SLA frameworks.
• Cross-Functional Alignment: Partner closely with Data Center Design Engineering, Operations, and Construction teams to align cooling technology roadmaps with future compute architectures (e.g., high-density AI/HPC workloads).
• Risk Management & Supply Resiliency: Map multi-tier supply chains to identify and mitigate single-point-of-failure risks, lead-time bottlenecks, and geopolitical constraints across raw materials and components (e.g., compressors, fans, coils).
• Market Intelligence: Monitor market trends, commodity price fluctuations (copper, aluminum, steel), refrigerant regulations (e.g., HFC phase-downs, low-GWP transitions), and vendor capacity constraints to inform executive decision-making.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Supply Chain Management, Business, or a related technical discipline. Master’s degree or MBA preferred.
• 10+ years of progressive strategic sourcing or supply chain management experience, with at least 5 years specifically dedicated to critical data center infrastructure, industrial HVAC, or heavy mechanical capital equipment.
• Deep technical and commercial understanding of mechanical cooling systems (Chillers, CRAHs, AHUs, Liquid Cooling, Cooling Towers, CDUs).
• Demonstrated track record of structuring complex, high-value contracts and capacity reservation agreements with global OEMs.
• Strong cross-functional leadership, communication, and executive presentation skills. Proven ability to influence internal engineering stakeholders and external vendors.

Benefits

• Competitive Salary: $185,000 - $200,000 (commensurate with experience) + bonus + sign-on equity grant.
• Long-Term Growth: Eligible to participate in Riot’s equity incentive programs and share in the success you help build.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan: Includes a generous company match.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Multiple medical plan options, including 100% company-paid plans.
• Wellness & Lifestyle Perks: Enjoy free gym memberships, pet insurance, childcare discounts, and more to support your life both in and out of work.