Position Summary
The Procurement Lead - Data Center
is responsible for
end‑to‑end sourcing,
purchasing
, and supplier management for all data center-related goods and services. This role ensures cost‑effective procurement, optimized supplier performance, and on‑time delivery of mission‑critical infrastructure, including servers, networking gear, power and cooling equipment, construction services, and facility operations materials. The position partners closely with Data Center Operations, Engineering, Finance, and Legal to support capacity expansion and operational continuity.
Key Responsibilities
Strategic Sourcing & Planning
Develop and execute sourcing strategies for data center infrastructure, equipment, and services.
Forecast material and service demand based on capacity planning and construction roadmaps.
Conduct market analysis to understand supply trends, risks, and opportunities.
Supplier Management
Identify
, evaluate, and onboard vendors capable of supporting
high-volume, high-availability
data center environments.
Manage supplier performance through KPIs, quarterly business reviews, and SLA compliance.
Negotiate commercial terms, contracts, and pricing to
optimize
cost and mitigate risk.
Procurement Execution
Oversee purchase order lifecycle from requisition to delivery.
Ensure materials and services meet technical specifications and compliance requirements.
Manage
logistics
, lead times, and inventory levels for critical infrastructure.
Cross-Functional Collaboration
Partner with Construction, Facilities, IT, Engineering, and Operations to align procurement with project timelines.
Collaborate with Finance on budgeting, cost tracking, and
spend
optimization.
Work with Legal on contract development, risk mitigation, and vendor agreements.
Risk & Compliance
Evaluate supply chain risks and develop mitigation strategies, including alternative vendor options.
Ensure compliance with corporate procurement policies, data center standards, and regulatory requirements.
Monitor global supply chain disruptions
impacting
data center equipment and materials.
Qualifications
Required
Bachelor's degree in
S
upply
C
hain
, Business, Engineering, or related field.
5+ years of procurement or supply chain experience in data centers or high-tech
infrastructure.
Strong negotiation, contract management, and vendor management
skills.
Experience with data center hardware, facilities equipment, construction sourcing, or critical infrastructure.
Proficiency
with procurement systems (e.g., SAP, Coupa, Oracle).
Preferred
Experience in hyperscale cloud, colocation, or
large-scale mission-critical
environments.
Knowledge of power, cooling, electrical, and mechanical systems.
Certifications: CPSM, PMP, CSCP, or equivalent.
Key Competencies
Strategic thinking and
long-term
planning
Strong analytical and financial acumen
Problem-solving and risk assessment
Relationship building and stakeholder management
Excellent communication and negotiation skills
Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)
Cost & Budget Management
Cost Savings:
Achieve annual cost reduction targets.
Cost Avoidance:
Document and
deliver
100
% in avoided
spend
.
Budget Adherence:
Maintain
≤
95
% variance vs. forecasted spend.
Supplier Performance
On Time Delivery:
≥ 95% of equipment/materials delivered by required dates.
Supplier Quality:
≥ 90% compliance with specifications and SLAs.
Supplier Risk:
Maintain
active mitigation plans for all critical suppliers.
Procurement Efficiency
PO Cycle Time:
Complete requisition-to-approval within
3
days
.
Sourcing Cycle Time:
Conclude RFI/RFP processes within
30 days
.
Lead Time Optimization:
Reduce lead times for critical infrastructure by
10%
Project & Stakeholder Alignment
Project Support:
100% of data center builds and expansions receive materials by milestone deadlines.
Stakeholder Satisfaction: Achieve ≥
9
/10 rating
from Engineering, Construction, Facilities & Ops.
Forecast Accuracy:
Provide procurement inputs
enabling ≥
85
%
demand accuracy.
Compliance & Governance
Policy Compliance:
100% adherence to procurement and audit requirements.
Contract Management:
0% lapse in contract renewals for strategic suppliers.
SLA Compliance:
≥ 95% vendor adherence to service-level commitments.
Inventory & Logistics
Inventory Accuracy:
Maintain
≥ 98% accuracy for critical spares.
Stock-Out Prevention: 0 stock-outs
for
mission-critical
components.
Logistics Efficiency:
Reduce freight/
logistics
cost by
10
%
YoY
.