Procurement Lead - Data Center (U.S. Remote or Greensboro, NC)

Procurement Lead – Data Center (U.S. Remote or Greensboro, NC)

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

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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.
• 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 Supply Chain, 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.