Category Manager, IT Infrastructure and AI

About the role

We anticipate the application window for this opening will close on - 29 Oct 2026   Careers that change lives start here. Medtronic is a global leader in healthcare technology with a Mission to alleviate pain, restore health, and extend life. Our 95,000 employees work across more than 150 countries to put patients first — developing innovative medical technologies that improve the lives of 72+ million patients each year. Your unique talents will help shape the future of healthcare while building a career grounded in purpose, growth, and impact. A Day in the Life As the Category Manager, IT Infrastructure and AI, you will join Medtronic's global Indirect Supply Management (ISM) team and lead sourcing strategies across a technology portfolio that includes infrastructure hardware, networking, telecommunications, cloud, data center, and emerging artificial intelligence solutions. Working closely with stakeholders across Functions, Regions, and Businesses, you will influence enterprise-wide spend decisions, evaluate supplier capabilities, negotiate complex technology agreements, and drive measurable value through cost optimization, risk management, innovation, and supplier performance. Reporting to the Global Indirect Supply Management Leader, you will help shape sourcing strategies for rapidly evolving technologies while establishing procurement standards and governance practices that support responsible adoption of AI solutions. Success in this role requires strong commercial acumen, strategic sourcing expertise, and the ability to build effective partnerships across Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Legal, Finance, Privacy, Data and AI Governance, and business teams. This role influences technology investments that support Medtronic's global operations and help advance solutions that improve patient outcomes. We're seeking a curious, accountable self-starter who drives commercial results, identifies new opportunities, and delivers measurable business impact. This position is based in Fridley, Minnesota, and requires onsite work at least four days per week to collaborate with business partners and stakeholders.                     Primary Responsibilities   Develop and execute category strategies across IT infrastructure and AI spend categories, including hardware, networking, telecommunications, cloud, data center, and AI solutions. Lead sourcing events, supplier evaluations, and commercial negotiations to achieve value, risk mitigation, and business objectives. Assess and optimize technology commercial models, including subscription, as-a-service, usage-based, token-, credit-, and consumption-based agreements. Establish procurement standards and governance frameworks for AI technologies, including responsible AI, data protection, intellectual property, security, and regulatory considerations. Partner with Information Technology, Cybersecurity, Privacy, Legal, Finance, Architecture, and business stakeholders to align sourcing strategies with enterprise priorities. Manage strategic supplier relationships and performance programs in collaboration with internal vendor management teams. Evaluate market intelligence, supplier capabilities, and industry benchmarks to support sourcing decisions and contract strategies. Advise stakeholders on commercial, operational, contractual, and technology-related risks while driving adoption of category strategies and sourcing best practices. Required Qualifications   Bachelor's degree and 5+ years of experience OR advanced degree and 3+ years of experience in sourcing, procurement, supply management, category management, finance, information technology, infrastructure, or related commercial functions. Experience leading sourcing initiatives, supplier negotiations, and contract management activities. Experience developing category strategies and managing supplier relationships. Experience analyzing commercial models and evaluating total cost of ownership. Experience partnering with cross-functional stakeholders in a matrixed organization.   Preferred Qualifications   Experience sourcing infrastructure hardware, networking, telecommunications, cloud, data center, managed services, or AI technologies. Knowledge of technology purchasing models, including subscription, as-a-service, utility, capacity, token-, credit-, and consumption-based pricing structures. Experience reviewing, drafting, and negotiating complex technology agreements. Understanding of AI procurement considerations, including data ownership, intellectual property, cybersecurity, privacy, responsible AI, and regulatory requirements. Experience supporting global organizations and influencing senior-level stakeholders.   For Baccalaureate degrees earned outside of the United States, a degree that satisfies the requirements of 8 C.F.R. § 214.2(h)(4)(iii)(A) is required. Physical Job Requirements The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this position, but they are not an exhaustive list of all the required responsibilities and skills of this position.  The physical demands described within the Responsibilities section of this job description are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. For Office Roles: While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to be independently mobile. The employee is also required to interact with a computer, and communicate with peers and co-workers. Contact your manager or local HR to understand the Work Conditions and Physical requirements that may be specific to each role. U.S. Work Authorization & Sponsorship At Medtronic, we are committed to fostering an environment where employees can thrive and make a meaningful impact. In alignment with our enterprise-wide workforce planning approach, U.S. work authorization sponsorship (H-1B, TN, J, etc.) is offered exclusively for Principal-level roles and above, where specialized expertise aligns with long-term business needs. Roles below the Principal level require candidates to possess unrestricted U.S. work authorization at the time of hire and for the duration of employment. ‌ Recruitment Fraud Alert We are aware of phishing scams targeting job seekers. Please keep the following in mind:  Apply only through official Medtronic channels. All legitimate Medtronic recruiting communications come from approved Medtronic platforms and official @medtronic.com email addresses.  Medtronic will never ask for payment or sensitive personal information (such as bank account or Social Security details) during early stages of the hiring process. Any such requests are not legitimate.  If you receive a suspicious message claiming to be from Medtronic, do not respond, click links, or open attachments.  If you have any questions, concerns regarding the authenticity of a communication alleged to have been made by or on behalf of Medtronic, please contact us immediately at AskHR@medtronic.com .  ‌ Benefits & Compensation   Medtronic offers a competitive Salary and flexible Benefits Package A commitment to our employees lives at the core of our values. We recognize their contributions. They share in the success they help to create.   We offer a wide range of benefits, resources, and competitive compensation plans designed to support you at every career and life stage.   Salary ranges for U.S (excl. PR) locations (USD):$113,600.00 - $170,400.00 ‌   This position is eligible for a short-term incentive called the Medtronic Incentive Plan (MIP). The base salary range is applicable across the United States, excluding Puerto Rico and specific locations in California. The offered rate complies with federal and local regulations and may vary based on factors such as experience, certification/education, market conditions, and location. Compensation and benefits information pertains solely to candidates hired within the United States (local market compensation and benefits will apply for others). The following benefits and additional compensation are available to those regular employees who work 20+ hours per week: Health, Dental and vision insurance ,   Health Savings Account ,   Healthcare Flexible Spending Account ,   Life insurance, Long-term disability leave ,   Dependent daycare spending account ,   Tuition assistance/reimbursement , and   Simple Steps (global well-being program).   The following benefits and additional compensation are available to all regular employees:   Incentive plans, 401(k) plan plus employer contribution and match ,   Short-term disability ,   Paid time off ,   Paid holidays ,   Employee Stock Purchase Plan ,   Employee Assistance Program ,   Non-qualified Retirement Plan Supplement (subject to IRS earning minimums) , and   Capital Accumulation Plan (available to Vice Presidents and above, or subject to IRS earning minimums).   Regular employees are those who are not temporary, such as interns.  Temporary employees are eligible for paid sick time, as required under applicable state law, and the Employee Stock Purchase Plan. Please note some of the above benefits may not apply to workers in Puerto Rico.   Further details are available at the link below: Medtronic benefits and compensation plans It is the policy of Medtronic to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, Medtronic will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities. If you are applying to perform work for Medtronic, Inc. (“Medtronic”) in any position which will involve performing at least two (2) hours of work on average each week within the unincorporated areas of Los Angeles County, you can find  here a list of all material job duties of the specific job position which Medtronic reasonably believes that criminal history may have a direct, adverse and negative relationship potentially resulting in the withdrawal of a conditional offer of employment. Medtronic will consider for employment qualified job applicants with arrest or conviction records in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.